GREATER CHRISTCHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15900, 11 April 1912, Page 7

GREATER CHRISTCHURCH.

PROPOSED INCLUSION .OF NEW BRIGHTON. PETITION BEING PREPARED. 1 Some time ago the Alayor of New i Brighton. Air C. H. Opie, when speakj ing at tlie ceremony in connection with I the turning of the first sod of Pago’s ! Road, which ir intended to link up the city with Now Brighton, expressed the ooinion that the time was rip* for New Brighton to become 'part oi Greater Christchurch. Air Opie’s remarks on that occasion apparently fell upon fruitful ground, for the Alayor, Air J. J. Dougall, at a subsequent meeting of the City Council, affirmed the desirability of Greater Christchurch including the seaside boroughs I of Sumner and New Brighten and local members of Parliament, including tho Alinister of Internal Affairs, the Hon G. W. Russell, have commented favourably upon the suggestion. Air Dougall stated recently that if the City Council had control of New Brighton there was no reason why it should not make the borough one of | tlie most popular marine resorts in the | dominion. The Timaru Borough Coun- • eil had made Caroline Bay what it was 1 as a holiday resort, and there was no | reason why' New Brighton should not i be the equal of Caroline. Bay. i The Hon G. AV. Russell, Alinister of ! Internal Affairs, when replying to a deputation of Riccarton residents on Saturday, said that he did not know whether the deputation had considered the possibilities of a Greater Christchurch scheme. On the eastern side of the city movements were taking place with a view to joining Bromley, portons of the Heatheote county and New Brighton. The tendency was to enlarge the cities and give their Councils wider powors. Already a portion of his electorate, North Linwood, was feeling Hie benefits of its amalgamation with the city not twelve months ago. He looked forward to the timo when from Upper Riccarton to the sea, including Sumner and New Brighton, the area would, be a part of Christchurch. AVheu that took place the city would increase in importance and might have larger responsibilities nlacou upon it, of benefit not only to the city but also to the outlying suburban districts. The New Brighton residents have now taken un the matter in earnest, and it has been decided to petition the Citv Council to incorporate the present borough of New Brighton with Greater Christchurch. Petition lists to that cud have been prepared and circulated for signature. , .. , , If the Citv Council decides to accede to the residents’ request,, nothing can be done in connection with the amalgamation until a poll has been taken to decide whether" a majority of the residents desire incorporation with Greater Christchurch. •