GREATER AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12328, 21 July 1903, Page 5

GREATER AUCKLAND.

, DISCUSSION AT NEWMARKET. At last night's meeting of the Newmarket Borough Council Mr. E. Davis moved, "That a Standing Committee be set up to go into the question of Greater Auckland, namely, thei amalgamation of the borough of Newmarket with the city of Auckland and the Surrounding local bodies; that the committee lie empowered to correspond and, if necessary, interview other local bodies with a view of reporting to this Council from time to time the progress effected in the matter; and that the Standing Committee be Messrs. Bennett* Hamblihj Holmes, Eugerley, and the mover." In speaking to the motion, Mt. i>avls considered the question of arrialgama Hon a matter of public interest and one that heeded going into thoroughly 4 Several members of the City Council had spoken favourably on the mutter, and he thought that members of the coming new Council would go into the matter very goon. Evidently there was a feeling in favour of the movement in Grey Lynn. If NeWmarket Were included in the city it Would mean that ratepayers would be charged less for Water, and would benefit in part of the £11,000 yearly profit derived from the city water supply- When a permanent scheme had i been entered, into, between Newmarket ; arid the City Council it would be better for, both. The drainage question had now to be faced, and if they joined the city they wonld j have a bettor chance of bringing that about. I If amalgamation Were brought about they : would derive advantages from a properlyequipped fire brigade, thereby bringing about a lowering of the insurance rates. They ■ j Would also have the services of the city departments, skilled advice, machinery and ap- ' paratus. The elect rid lighting of the oily Was a question that was going to crop up, and Newmarket Would then derive benefit from ' any such scheme. This would be the same • in the case of abattoirs arid destructors; Then the borough would have the benefit of city endowments, which Would be worth £1,000, .when they fell in in 40 years' time. The i assets of the city were worth twice their lij abilities. Though the rates in the city were i 2J>d more than in Newmarket, amalgamation { would hot mean any rise in rates, comparai lively speaking, as more money Would be I spent in the borough. Mr. Davis ended by I emphasising the advantages of community : of interests,' whloli, he felt, Was how WantJ ing. ' j Mr. Bennett said that as far as his experience- went everyone he met was against the j proposal, He thought the matter was pre- ; mature, and could not see what obnefit Newmarket would derive from amalgamation. | The theories as stated by Mr. Davis in rei gard to endowments he could hot agree with, j as the city, with all its rents, could wot keep i itS head above Water at present. Mr. Ben--1 nott considered that Newmarket should not be the prime movers in such. largo question. ' Mr. Leek said that if Newmarket wanted luxuries they must pay for them. In his opinion the present condition of the borough's streets was a standing disgrace to ratepayers. Though they would lose by amalgamation, yet they would gain many : advantages. I Mr. Davis having replied, the motion was ; then put and carried.