GREATER AUCKLAND SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13084, 25 January 1906, Page 7

GREATER AUCKLAND SCHEME.

GATHERING OF LOCAL DELEGATES. THE MAYOR'S PROPOSALS. > SOME INTERESTING SUGGESTIONS. A VALUABLE REPORT.

I'jnc question of whether the city of Auckland and the various surrounding boroughs and road districts shall be amalgamated under the control of 0110 central governing authority is the most important in municipal politics at the present time. The Mayor of Auckland (Mr. A. M. Myers) has been devoting close and earnest attention to the matter, and the question has also been discussed to some extent by the City Council and the various suburban authorities. The Mayor drafted a comprehensive scheme, and then invited the various local authorities interested to meet him in confereice. The first gathering of the delegates from these bodies was held ia the City Council Chamber last evening. THE DELEGATES. . The Mayor of Auckland (Mr. A. M. Myers) presided, and the other delegates present were as follows: — Auckland City: Messrs. I!. Tudehope, R. Farrell, W. E. Hutchison, C. J. Parr. Parnell: Messrs. J. Fitt (Mayor), G. W. Baslev. Grey Lynn Borough Council: Messrs. J. Farrell (Mayor), W. S. Smith, W. Martin, J{. H. Irwin (town clerk).

Newmarket : Mr. H. Kinder. Arehhill Road Board : Messrs. J. Jenkins (chairman), Waddingham.

Eden Terrace : Messrs. A. Doull and E. Wrigley.

Mount Eden Road Board: Messrs. O. | Nicholson (chairman), C. J. 'lunks. Epsom Road Board: Messrs. W. R. Bloomfield (chairman), Macdonald. Remuera Road Board : Hon. E. Mitchelion (chairman), Mr. J. S. Dickson. Mount Albert Road Board : Messrs. J. H. Harrison (chairman), M. J. Coyle. One-tree Hill Road Board: Mr. E. W. Burton (chairman). Apologies "were received for the absence of Messrs. A. J. Entrican and H. M. Smes- - (two of the delegates appointed to represent the City Council). THE OPENING. 4 In opening the proceedings the Mayor expressed his pleasure at seeing that so many local bodies had accepted the invitations he had issued as Mayor of Auckland, and at the .fact that there were so many present on that important occasion. In accordance with the promise he made when contesting the Mayoralty of Auckland, he had deemed it I bis duty to make a very careful and exhans- ; live inquiry into the Greater Auckland J scheme. He had endeavoured to approach Uhe question with a totally unbiassed mind, feeing only desirous of arriving at the true position as it would .affect the city and ! suburban ratepayers. His predecessor in ] the office of Mayor of Auckland, the Hon. E. Mitchelson, opened the question in and a conference of delegates held in September of that year certain boundaries were suggested; but no progress was made in procuring reliable data upon which the various local bodies and the ratepayers could ; form a sound and intelligent opinion as to ' the effect of toe general scheme. This - want he had endeavoured to supply, and - bow found himself in possesion of sufficient information to justify him in inviting the I delegates to meet him in conference. The I main interests of the. city and suburbs of Auckland were identical; but the management of their municipal affairs was now vested in 12 independent local bodies; and the idea of a Greater Auckland was simply f | to unite these bodies into one, a change ■ which could hardly fail to make both for . financial strength and greater efficiency of •t "; administration. They all, ho was sure, de- "■ sired to see the maintenance of Auckland <? present premier position in this colony, and the continued growth of her influence and importance in the South Pacific. To accomplish this, room must be found for expansion, and the benefits of municipal enterprise on a large scale must be made available ; and although the immediate sacrifices which the city would be called upon to make for the benefit of most of the suburban dis- . tricts concerned would be considerable, these would be compensated for by the knowledge that the change would promote the : future greatness and prosperity of Auckland Aas a whole. __ „ THE SCHEME.

The Mayor then read the scheme as follows:—

At a conference of delegates from the various local bodies comprising the city of Auckland and it-, immediate suburbs, held in tho Auckland City Council Chamber on September 7. 1901, the following boundaries for Gieatei Auckland wore, tentatively adopted—Commencing at Hcbson Bay, a the foot of Ayr-street, and proceeding southward along the bed of the creek, up t ie gully between Sop. View and Arney Roads to Arner Read at lot 12; thence along Arney Road, Hobson Bay Road, across Rem era Road, and along Dilworth Avenue to the Great South Road: thence westward along ' tho Great South Road, Erin-street, Clydestreet, Epsom Road. Owen's Road, J' oun Eden Road, Valley Road, Walter's Road, Jchn-street, the boundary line between lots 27 and 3+ of allotment 12, section 5, and lots 5* and 55 of allotment 136, section 10, suburbs of Auckland, Raleigh-street, Prin-ces-street, the southern boundary of allotments 12 and 13, section 5, suburb? of Auckland, Now North Road, Western Springs Road, the northern boundary of allotments 173, 174, and 175, section 10, suburbs of Auckland, and the south-western , boundary of allotments 18 and 13, section 9. suburbs of Auckland, to the Waitemata Harbour, at the mouth of Motions Creek; thence northward and eastward by the foreshore of the harbour to the point of com- • mencement. •The local bodies' district? aro affected by these proposed boundaries by til© inclusion in Greater Auckland of: — Area, acres. City of Auckland—'The whole 1,762 gorough ot i'tirnell—The whole ... 480 J-,',' iwough of Newmarket, whole ... 145 .. Borough of Grey Lynn—The whole ... 900 ««muera Road District— portion w ®»t of the sully between Sea View and Arnev Roads "12 , Une-tree Hiil Road District— cor- " • pi? er north of Clyde-street — Psoni Road District—The portion . north of Owen's Road 265 «ount Eden Road District—The portion north of Owen's and Valley Road* .. 443 -Archhill Road District—The whole ... 150 ' J-aen Terrace Road District—The whole r-tf »onnt Albert Road District—The por's'lTtion north of Raleigh and Prince* *1 ' tree and the Western Springs jßoiwl , 507 » nfc „ Chevalier Road District— -' - Portion north of the Western Springs and the City Council pro- , .. pfrtjr aorth of Meola Creek ... - . 264 g|j| aorth of Meola Creek W22

LEGAL ASPECT. The Mayor next dealt with the byjal aspect of the question, and described the procedure necessarv to give effect to any amalgamation of local bodies. All property and all control of any land or thing vested respectively at the time of union in the corporation or council of any of the several boroughs shall on union be vested in the corporation and council respectively of the united borough; all liabilities and engagements of such corporations or any of them and all proceedings pending by or against any of such corporations shall respectively be liabilities and engagements of and proceedings to be carried on by or against the corporation of the united borough. The united borough may exercise all such rights of election as slull have been exercisable by the several boroughs comprised therein. No alteration of the boundaries of a borough or union of two or more boroughs shall affect any separate rate or special rate, and every such rate shall continue to be charged upon the whole of the area upon which it was charged before such alteration or union, and shall not by reason thereof become a charge upon any additional area; and the area within which any unexpended loan moneys may be expended shall not be affected by such alteration or union. From the above it will be seen that the result of amalgamation in -Auckland would be that the municipal buildings, waterworks, abattoir?, baths, library, and endowments of th« city, as well as . the waterworks and any buildings or ehdownments owned by the suburban boroughs, would become the common property of the united borough, irrespective of the question whether any borough gained or lost by the operation; while on the other hand the interest on any loans which have been raised for the purchase or construction of such properties (with an exception in the. case of the city waterworks) would still .have to be provided for by special rates levied only in the districts to which the properties at present respectively belong. Therefore, the question of gain or loss by any particular borough as a consequence of union is one that it would have to determine for itself before deciding to unite, and not one which, under the provisions of the existing law, could be dealt with subsequently. With regard to the question of rating after amalgamation, it should be clearly understood that, as stated above, special rates will not be affected. Notwithstanding; amalgamation, any such rate will continue to be a charge upon the whole area on which it was charged before union, and will not, by reason of the union, become a charge upon any additional area. It is important that this should bo noted, as there appears to be a general impression prevalent that amalgamation, presuming the rates in Greater Auckland were brought to the figure at which they now stand in Auckland City, would result in a substantial increase in the amount . the suburban ratepayers would be called- - upon to pay J whereas, in point of fact, as may be seen by reference to tables 2 and 3, the result in many cases would be a decrease, and there are only one or two instances in which there would be any material increase. ADVANTAGES OF AMALGAMATION. One great advantage of amalgamation would be the continuity of policy over the whole area that would result from it. This would make itself felt more particularly (a) In the adoption or carrying out of a drainage scheme or, schemes applicable to the whole area instead of each local body requiring to adopt a separate scheme which may or may not work into the schemes of the adjacent districts. In Mr. Midgley Taylor's report on the drainage of Auckland he says: "In'accordance with our instructions we have confined our scheme to the city of 'Auckland, but we may point out that the borough of Parnell and certain other outlying districts are so situated that they can bo drained by gravitation into the main intercepting sewer, which we have recommended. The only alteration which" would have to be made in the scheme if these outlying districts were included is the enlargement of the main intercepting sewer and works below the point of junction." No satisfactory or permanent settlement of the drainage problem is likely to be arrived at by. the different local bodies acting separately ; there must be one comprehensive scheme for the whole of Auckland, carried out under the direction of one central authority.

(b) In the maintenance of the fire brigade service. One strong brigade with the necessary branch stations would be substituted for the existing state of affairs, under which the appliances of ti. brigade are very often not available across the boundary of its particular district.

(c) In making common for the benefit of all the various departments now managed by the city alone, but availed of more or less by suburban resident?, such as the Public Library, the public baths, the. Domain and parks, the cemetery, and the refuse destructor.

(d) In making the--financial strength of the whole area available as security for loan purposes, thus enabling the united borough to obtain loams on easier terms than can now be secured by any of the local bodies which would be merged in it.

(e) In the efficient carrying out of schemes of public works under the direction of a skilled engineer.

Consideration of tho advantages or otherwise of union should not bo confined to the question whether the immediate result would as between one district and another involve a surrender of more assets by one than another, or a slight or temporary increase of rates in any particular district. While these matters are no doubt elements that mast bo taken into account, the future must also be regarded, especially in relation to the modern tendency towards increased municipal functions and the greater ability possessed by a larger body to accomplish them. Moreover, it must be remembered that a great number of the residents in the suburbs carry on their business in the city, and that the moral and material interests of city and .suburbs are in many ways so intimately connected as to be practically identical.

To view the matter in this light a certain amount of so-called sentiment may doubtless require to be invoked; but that has been a factor in all the movements for union which have taken place elsewhere, and there is no reason why it should be disregarded in considering tho question of a Greater Auckland. It may be pointed out, however, as for as the suburbs are concerned, that. ts will be shown later on, almost all of thorn, viewed in their corporate capacity, would profit financially by union with the citv; and a considerable proportion of the suburban ratepayers would also gain largely as individuals. It is therefore for the electors of all' the districts concerned to determine whether, in view (a) of the intimate connection of their interests; n,\ of the future efficiency of interests; (b) ol mo « (( municipal enterprise; and (o) of the

of a Greater Auckland, they consider that union should take place for the common benefit of all. FINANCIAL ASPECT. The question of amalgamation is, of course, largely a financial one. The city would be the only one of the contracting parties which would have any revenue-pro-ducing properties of any considerable value to surrender for the common benefit; and in addition the city's revenue from fees, licenses, etc., which would also be thrown into the common fund, is larger in proportion to its valuation, than that of any of the suburban districts, with the exception of Newmarket. On the other hand, some of the city properties which would bo acquired by the united borough, such as parks, libraries, baths, etc., must necessarily be sources of •expenditure rather than of revenue. Omitting the waterworks, which will be dealt with separately, the net income or expenditure under these heads for the year ending March 31, 1905, is shown in the folleving table: — 2 % 1 ' is = Ms- 1 V s a 0 A K £ £ Licenses, fees, etc 5,870 Endowments 8.004 City Market 535 Abattoirs 433 Waikumete Cemetery 524 Public baths ... 155 Art Gallery 110 Albert Park ... 534 Western Park 207 Victoria Park (rent) 500 Reserves 70 Nihotupu and Waitakerei Parks 43 Town and Library clocks ... 75 Free Library (including Cost-ley bequest income, £538, but eiclndine proceeds of library rate. £857) 851 Domain (including Cricket Ground) 1,248 • 15.164 3,864 ■ . . 3,854 , Net income surrendered ... 11,300 Three other matters that may fee mentioned in this connection are: — (a) The city's proportion of the profits earned by the Auckland Electric Tramways Co., Ltd., which will increase yearly. This is now accumulating as a sinking fund for possible loans. Up to December 31, 1904, it amounted to £4264, representing two years' profits with accrued interest. (b) When arrangements have been completed for the supply of electricity this will be an additional source of revenue. (c) The Auckland City Improvement Trust property. This trust was originally created for the purpose of forming and laying out the Albert Park and making streets adjacent to it, and the revenue from it, about £2000 per annum, is at present entirely absorbed in paying the interest on loans raised for carrying out this purpose; but when these loans are paid off this revenue, after paying for the upkeep of the park, will yield a considerable surplus, which, under the Auckland Improvement Commissioners Transfer of Powers Act, 1879, is to be applied in works of public utility or ornament, or in furtherance of education, science, or art in the city of Auckland, to be determined by the City Council, but shall not be in any way used in reduction or aid of rates. Tims, although for the present the financial position in connection with amalgamation would not bo affected by the Improvement Tru|t, in the future it will be a valuable asset. The properties held under it arc at present valued at £101,920.

The above amount of £11,300 is equivalent to & rate of 6.39 d in the £ on tho ratable value of the city. The net revenue of the suburban local bodies from licenses, fees, rents, etc., amounts in the aggregate to £1631. Tho revenue of tho united borough under this head would therefore total £12,931, which is equivalent to a rate of 4.i9d in the £ on the combined valuation of city and suburbs. Thus the sacrifice of revenue made by the oity would be equivalent to a rate of 6.39d—t.49d, or 1.90 d in the £.

On the other hand, as shown in table 4-, the cost of administration on general account is relatively higher in tho city than in the suburbs, being equivalent to a rate or 3.61 d in the city and 1.95 d in the suburbs. One reason for , this difference will be at once apparent when it is pointed out that in the city such officers are employed as traffic inspector, building inspector, and others, whose duties are combined in ihe smaller districts. It is impossible *.o say with any certainty what economies could bo effected under this head after amalgamation. Supposing half the present cost in the suburbs could be saved, the cost of administration in the united borough would then bo equivalent to a rate of 2.59 d in the £.

Six of the suburban local bodies now purchase their water supply from the city, paying; for.it by meter. The. amount so paid by them last year was £5893. It must of course be understood that this amount was paid by the local bodies, which recouped themselves by. levying on the ratej payers tinder their jurisdiction a water rate which was in all cases considerably higher' than that charged in the city. It may be assumed that on amalgamation this arrangement would be discontinued, and the residents in these suburbs would be supplied direct from the city waterworks, paying water rates on the same seal© as those now paid by tho residents in the city that is to say, 2i per cent, on an annual valuation up to £100, with a minimum of 10s; on a valuation exceeding £100, 2 per cent.; stores, etc., 1 per cent.; vacant lands, etc., i per cent: It may bo added that certain institutions are supplied by meter instead of by rate. It is impossible to give an exact, estimate of the effect of this change on the revenue; but, assuming the rates to average 2| per cent, on the valuation of tho suburban districts in question, they would only yield £3885, and the revenue would thus be diminished by about £2000. Again, the cost of administration in these districts, and bo of materials, wages, etc., would of course have to be taken over by the united borough. The cost of administration last year was £577, while £1491 was paid for materials, wages, etc. No doubt a considerable saving could be effected on the first of these two items, but it is not likely that the second could bo reduced to any . extent; so that, in addition to the diminution of revenue just mentioned, there would be an'increase of expenditure of, sav, £1750.

After mating allowance for extraordinary items of receipts and expenditure, last year's transactions show a. surplus, in round numbers, of £13,000. It must be noted, however, that only £2600 was charged against water account for interest on water loans, whereas the total annual interest payable in respect of these loans is £11,694-," the balance, £9094, being paid out of the proceeds of special rates. There is also an amount of £925 payable annually for sinking fund on water loans (this was charged against water account), making the total charges for interest and sinking fund £12,619. Of this amount about £5300 is payable* in respect of moneys expended on works essential to the water supply as a whole, such as reservoirs, etc., the balance, say £7500, being in connection with the reticulation within the city boundary. After amalgamation the former amount, £5300, should be charged to water account, the latter, £7300, continuing to bo paid out of special rates levied in the present city area, the suburban ratepayers in the same way paying the interest on the cost of construction of the works in their own districts, as they do at present. The effect, of the change on the water account would therefore bo as follows: — £ £ Present surplus, after charging £2600 for interest and £925 for sinking fund, in all £3523... 13,000 Amount to be charged for interest and sinking fund, £5300. an increase of 1,775 Decrease in revenue, £2000, and increase in expenditure, £1750, consequent on amalgamation 3.750 ■ v), Xet surplus for united borough, say 7,500 It may bp noted that £7500 is equivalent to a. rate of 2.60 d in' the £ on the annual valuation of the united borough. The city's share of this surplus, proportionately to its valuation, would be £4600.

Thus tho position as regards the city wol '' c ' be that whereas at present there is aw a c . surplus of £13,000, while about £9100 • paid out of the proceeds of special ra • for interest on water loans, under the ne condition of affairs the surplus would o reduced to £4600, and the amount payable out of special rates for interest to The city would therefore low £8.00 on water account, and benefit to the extent or £1800 on interest account, a net sacrifice of £6600, equivalent to a rate of 3. tod m the £ on the city's valuation. It should be mentioned that the loan of £150,000 for the Wai.'akerei wat' rvvonc*, which was sanctioned some time ago, m ' probably be floated this year, in which case the water account will have further to ; bear the interestsay, 4g per cent,. £6750 and sinking fundsay 2 per cent.. £1125— in all. £7375; against which the saving mi cessation of pumping scheme is completed will be £3500, thus leaving £4375 extra to he charged. It must, howover, be contemplated that this account will benefit by increased sales of water. There would also bo a loss in connection with the Government subsidies on rates. The city now receives £450 per annum on this account, and the united borough could only receive the same amount, this being the maximum allowed by law. Four hundred and fifty pounds is equivalent to a rate of 0.25 d on the city valuation, or 0.16 d on that of the united borough. The immediate financial result to the city of the whole transaction may therefore be summarised as follows: — d. in £■ Loss of revenue from endowments, etc., thrown into common fnnd ... 1.90 Loan on water account 3.73 Loss on Government subsidy, 0.25—0.16 0.09 5.72 Less gain on cost of administration 3.61—2.59 1.02 Net loss ... .... 4.70 This does not take into account the tramway profits, the amount of which it is impossible to estimate with any certainty, nor the prospective sacrifice of a proportion of the Improvement Trust funds when these become available. Against this immediate loss is to be set the fact that the suburbs arc likely to increase in value more rapidly than the city. AS REGARDS THE SUBURBS. In considering the effect of the charge on the suburbs the matter must be looked at from two points of —first as to the manner in which it would affect individual ratepayers, and secondly as to its results to the "inhabitants of the suburbs viewed as a body corporate. With regard to the first, it. may be well to repeat that special rates won id remain unaltered. The effect on, other rates would vary considerably in different districts. Those districts which do not now purchase water from the city would probably continue, for a timo at all events, to utilise their present sources of supply; thus in ; these there would be no change in the water rates, and in most of them there would be some increase in the general rates —that is, assuming that the- other rates, oh or than water and special, were made the same in the whole of the united borough as they now are in tho city. In the districts which are supplied from th» city water--1 works those ratepayers who now pay the minimum water rate of 10s per annum would also only be affected by the changes , in the general rates, which in most cases would bo unfavourable to them; but the occupiers of larger properties would gain ■ , very considerably, owing to the great re- : duction in the water rates. The results are , shown in detail in tabic 3. ■ . The financial results to the suburban dis- ; tricts as a body may be tabulated as follows : — Gain. Loss. 1 d.in £. d.in £. Revenue from endowments, licensee, etc. in United Borough .. 4.49 , Revenue from suburban endowments, licenses, etc., ! thrown into common fund, £1631, equivalent to it rate on valuation of suburbs of 1.46 Surplus on Water Account ... 2.60 Administration. 2.59—1.95 ... 0.64 Government subsidies— pre--1 sent .€2565, 2.30; in United ' Borough £450, 0.16 2.14 If Ist , v ,• -U. 1 7.09 4.24 ' 5 4.24 Net gain ... ... ... 2.85 THE BASIS OF UNION. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, ' Wit!) regard to any districts of which the whole is absorbed it would not be worth while to attempt any elaborate financial adjustment. The transaction, being for tho benefit of all parties concerned, is not quite in the same category as an ordinary business deal, and no one's interests would b® . seriously prejudiced by the taking over by ; the united borough of the assets and liabilities of the several boroughs and road districts as they stood, without any adjustment between them, subject, of course, to 1 the proviso of the Act already mentioned, that no alteration is to be made in the areas , within which unexpended loan moneys may bo spent or over which special rates for the payment of interest are levied. As regards this Inst, it might be well to consider the feasibility of consolidating all out- , standing loans. If this were done it would be necessary to raise some additional money to be spent in those districts which have not already had their share of loan expenditure in proportion to their valuation. How- , ever, it would not be absolutely necessary to decide this point at the time of the amaf- ' gamation, and it might perhaps be better ' to leave it till later on, so as to keep the question as free from complications as i possible. In case a part only of any disl trict is absorbed in the united borough, the , adjustment of assets and liabilities would he a matter to be arranged by negotiation 1 according to circumstances in each particular case. RATING. [ It would be inconvenient to adopt any , other arrangement than that of equalisa- ' tion of all rates, other than special, throughout the united borough, and it may be 1 assumed that the scale of rates at'present i in force in the city would bo adopted. , General Rates: The city general rate is Is in the £. A rate of this amount on the aggregate valuation of the suburban districts 1 would yield (no allowance being made for t arrears) _ £13,370. The general rates (in- [ eluding, "lighting rates) at present struck in , the suburban districts amount, disregarding k arrears, to £15,365. Some of the local bodies', however, pay charitable aid and 1 sanitation accounts out of general rates. If f the amounts actually paid last year under . these heads (totalling £1224) be deducted , the figure, stands at £14,142. Thus the revenue from general rates would be. £772 less than it now is.

The suburban districts in which the rates available for general purposes now amount to moro.than Is in the. £, with the approximate excess, are the following: —

Excess, d. Parnell-General rate, Is scl; cost of sanitation, about Id in the £: hospital account. 2irt; leaves general rate at Is 1-Jil 11 Grey Lynn—General rate, equivalent to Is Id; cost of sanitation, Id; leaves general rate at Is Oid ..." 0$ Newmarket—General rate, 5s 7d; cost of niglit3oil service, about. in the .£: sanitation. 2d: hospital account, 2id: in all 6id; leaves general rate at Is Old Oi Mount Eden General rate, Is; lighting rate, 2Jd 22 Eden Terrace—General rate. Is; lighting rate. 2d 2

On thd other hand in Point Chevalier, Epsom, and One-tree Hill the rates available for general purposes now only amount to about 10jd. lid. and IOJd respectively, the balance of tile shilling being; absorbed by the'hospital and charitable aid contributions. The loss of Government subsidies would amount to £2565. As the amount charged for administration in the suburban districts last year only aggregated £2291, it is obvious that even after making allows nee for any saving; that could be effected under this head there would still be a considerable deficiency. Thus the effect of the change on general revenue would be as follows: — CITY AND SUBURBS AS A WHOLE. £ Revenue from rates would be diminished by ... 772 Revenue from Government subsidies would be diminished by 2,563 Loss of revenue 3.337 Against which is to be set whatever savins could be effected in the cost of administration. etc. CITY. £ Revenue from rates would remain unaltered Revenue from endownments. etc., would be diminished by 1.90 d in the £ on £424.149, or 3,358 Revenue from Government subsidy would be diminished by 0.09 d in the £ on the same amount 159 Loss of revenue ... ... 3.517 Against which is to he set whatever the city might train on cost of administration.

SUBURBAN DISTRICTS. £ £ Revenue from endowments, licenses, etc., would be increased by the above amount of £3358 3,358 Revenue from Government, subsidies would be diminished by £2585, less above amount of £159 2,435 Revenue from rate would be di-, minished by i 772 3,178 Net gain ... | ISO Against which is to be set whatever lb" suburban districts might- lose on cost of administration. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID KATE. The rates now struck in the suburban districts, taking amounts actually paid where no separate rate is struck, and making no allowance for arrears, amount to £20:0. On the city scale,- 2d in the £, these rates would amount to £2222. SANITATION KATE. This would of course only be payable by the residents of those suburban districts to which it was found practicable and advisable to extend the services of the city destructor. This would have to he determined according to circumstances in each particular case. LIBRARY RATE. There seems no good reason why the suburban residents should not pay this, as no doubt many of them ma!ke as much use of the library as the residents in the city. It might be advisable to consider the practicability of establishing branches in the suburbs. CONSTITUTION OF COUNCIL. * The law now allows tho Council of a borough having a population of over 30,000, whether divided or undivided into wards, to consist of as many as 21 members, exclusive of the mayor. Perhaps the simplest solution of tho question of representation would be to make the united borough an undivided one, as Auckland City is at present. In order that the suburbs should be fully represented, four members might be allotted to Parnell, three to Grey Lynn, and two to Mount Eden, thus making up tho full number of 21. SIZE OF THE UNITED BOROUGH. Under tho present law a borough may not comprise more than nine square miles, nor have any points distant more than six. miles from one another. If the whole of all the districts affected were included in the united borough these limits would be exceeded, and it would therefore bo necessary to obtain special legislation to authorise the extension. TABLE I. Population Valuation. (Census 31/3/01). Capital. Annual. Parnell 4,565 £649,487 £36,099 Newmarket ... 2,060 266,305. 15,847 Grey Lynn 4,110 591,699 36,981 Kefnuera 2,185 584.254 36,516 One-tree Hill ... 1,283 421.793 26,362 Epsom ... ... 750 334,870 20.929 Mount Eden ... 5,129 765,847 47,865 Eden Terrace ... 2,011 162,981 10,186 Archhill ... .... 1,671 134,453 8.403 Mount Albert ... 2,085 399,193 24,950 Point Chevalier ... 684 52,190 3,262 26,535 4,363,072 267,403 Auckland ... ... 34,213 6,968,213 424,149 60,748 11,331,285 691,549 Estimated population of boroughs, March 31, 1905: Auckland ... 38,377 ■ Parnell ... ... 5,250 Newmarket 2.200 ! Grey Lynn ... 5.750 5L577 An increase of 6628. Valuations taken from "Government Blue Book for 1905. Part VII.. pp. 557, 570, and 537. The annual value of the road districts not being given has been taken as one-sixteenth of capital value. Population from Year Book, 1935, page 123, except estimated population of boroughs, which is from the Blue Book, page 587. TABLE 11. Bates (on annual value) for year ending March 31, 1906: — • r+4 Cf"t PS* 3 -a o?T CO -"in OCD w« OS Mm ro Z 00 ilo»oS=S.£ 5° ° p-j y or- c S3 , fdrVtrM cn T-l-t If) rTJ to _** * -3 "•-< C7> CO t>- £cr> c-1 CO ro CD O ''.O 03 C 3 C<J 03 *■"! tH M CTI 10 0 J CO vo &ro |fO S®o oc ° ° © ° OiH -r-4 Cfl • 2, r-» « S CM 2 W. c< O •WD 03 CSI bo » & cq C 4! 03 CM ,-r-l ® 'o ° § . ' o o 03 £ o ~Z3 f-j TO ro gf-OCO-SS „ , - » . MNWH H tH tH ▼HCM '? . ' a <0 « rt : 5 • : 2 m u u • £* '• , . *N TH & « ***23 f ' • .2 -3 -g -g O O *£> 1 \ .3 'Sen r-4 3 5 3 i-i nO®o • SS oo& . u u O o eo H o O © " M •*-. ■*»«■» " r " J ' u* .rtr.-mu ■ ■ t*!"I • r * OJ -3 03 0 cr^o ' & o> cr> . * ' •—< |."5 • C 7* trz* Mti rt ® •tn ol co o o tr ci c-icviori- ■% a: 0~ ;~~ ~ _ ■ rt a) J S • a-d 1 111 I I "jhfal 1 I"-*' ! I | I N I | <si W P« "a; o o o O ocoo ®56 ... - _ . • . .3 s ' S • J! d <0 -£3 ■. =5 ti « •» «! rt'tuC' z: .y •—'s w ■J 2 " S » a a •Ssi-SS e: & S?a i ~ a rj og.So v £ g § oS-Sy rtCt-41 3 a ° T3 0 2 O W 3 S=s "<SSSL.<

Auckland, Parnell, Newmarket, and Arclihill rate on annual v»lue; Grey Lynn general and special rates are on unimproved value (£272,604), hospital rate on capital value, and water rate on annual value; rates in all other districts are on capital value. Bates iliven above are all brought to annual value, and calculated to the nearest farthing. (a) Pays hospital and sanitation (refuse) account out of general rates, (b) Pays hospital and sanitation (refuse and niglitsoil) account out of general rates, (c) Pays sanitation (refuse), account out of general rates. (ill PavS/hoßpital account out of general rate?, (e) No liospital rate this year, as balance brought forward from last year's hospital account will pay contribution. No sanitation paid out of rates where not specified. TABLE 111. Increase or decrease in rates payable in dif- : ferent districts if rates made of same amount as in the city. (N.B. —Special ; rates would not be affected by the amalgamation.). Including water and sanitation. Applies to • ratepayers paying the full water rates in • the districts specified, if the city sanita- ' tion service were extended to them. Present Kates. Decrease. s. d. s. d. d. d. Auckland ... ... 1 9i to 1 10i — Parnell ... ... 22* _ 5} to 4 Newmarket (1) ... 21Jto 2o* 4to a, Grey Lynn ... ••• IHito 24; -i to 6 (1) Cost of nightsoil service, 3id in the £ leave l - general rate at Is 3«d. TABLE IV. Showing cost of administration, net revenue from rents, licenses, etc., and amount ol subsidies received from Government. Administration. Licenses, Subsidies, etcAd H i «*5 £3 $S . c+) > .<*!(> J > "S c— s .g-a a .£■? a«1 =°1 s SSc c d •< ci ci "i et £ £ £ Parnell ... 233 1.58 352 2.34 210 1.40 Newmarket 143 2.17 236 3.57 172 2.60 Grey Lynn 427 2.77 145 0.93 187 1.21 Kernera ... 290 1.91 118 0.78 409 2.69 One-tree Hill' 129 1.17 170 1.55 226 2.06 Epsom . - 197 2.26 205 2.33 250 2.86 Mt. Eden ... 294 1.47 - 239 1.20 422 2.12 E'n Terrace (a) 117 2.76 47 1.11 193 4.55 Arch ... 06 2.74 17 0.49 193 G. 51 Mt. Albert ... 225 2.16 90 0.85 250 2.40 Pt. Chevalier 18 1.32 ■ 12 0.38 53 3.90 All suburbs 2,174 1.95 1.631 1.46 2,565 2.30 Auckland ... 6,373 3.61 11.300 6.39 450 0.25 U. borough 7.4&3 2.59 12,951 4.49 450 0.16 day) (a) The net revenue from licenses, etc., in Eden Terrace was actually £72, but £25 of this was for a publican's license, which will not recur this year, no license having been carried at the recent local option poll. Charges for legal and election expenses are not included in the amounts given under administration.

TABLE VI . Showing estimated gain or loss resulting to each district from amalgamation, in pence in £ on annual ratable value. (Figurea re administration, endowments, etc., and subsidies, derived from Tabic A . for figures re water account see pages 16. 19, and 20.). 0 I I I HI I'll IS IS 1 | I | | | || is £° ° ~ O '*<!lIIIIIMIII 1 I I 1 i 1 1 H I! is '12 ie IS i I I I is IS is isi i i — w h uS d » to ci «-• o ' tt ' 8 i S 1 ?! i - I ?! : <- ' 5 . 12 ' ? • If? I § ] .ci o to k> ci w w »-« ro <*■« • -lis is is is is ! $ i 2 i £ is is I s is r X *£ 0 -r-i oi *-» ci C 1 *-* -x eS c*i ro Ji gass'is IS I I I I I : ]§ i§ i§ i I I I I 0 ro to ro ro fO to ro o a 05 fl; +-> ©Ci } •£> ? o i o to to { ® | ® • c I 0 to 1 rt vo \q I <■£> (vq i « Ivq ivp |vp ,\o jvq ,3 'o I ;> ci ci ci ci ci ci ci ci ci ci oi ci w C t> § fs.2 isjisisjsisisißisisisi £r- ci o to to ci csi to to <r to t-i £ S c f§3 •lis Is I SSS I ISI 5? 158 ißsi « I isl 85 ihoo ° *"• © rid © 6 * ...... . . . . "3 ♦" : : '• : s • : : : : ' : ' : : : : < ' ' ' * * • * ... :«.• : i ® ' :::: 1: " ' : .£s ■ : j.-SS : ! SSoJ = c-> 3,3 .SS r *31 -* ■- ®'3 J r; 1- ' .. « oO"- 1 Ohil iSSSJ-Ssj, ; .sffi -is iiin fs Isi i S3 J i l A : Pi i -i < s ■ rt £ g i rt a 33 s c ■- S ? oSiSsSoa.S — rSSJs-cGao-Ejs-oo PPh V. O « O K a M •< a. fa (a) Assuming all suburbs share in water surplus. (b) Assuming only suburbs supplied from waterworks share in surplus. CONCLUSION. After the reading of his scheme, the Mayor said he had endeavoured to show the direct effect of amalgamation, in each particular locality interested, and he did not! think any intelligent person, if he only took the time to consider the whole scheme, together with the tables prepared, would have amy difficulty in arriving at the exact position of affairs if amalgamation were to take place as suggested. To sum up, the proposal which he would submit to their earnest consideration was that , the,; suburban districts . mentioned should; unite with the City of Auckland | in creating one large municipality, with such' boundaries as might be deemed advisable, under one administration, and 5 * having one —namely, the placing of the city in the forefront of municipalities, giv-' ing, in short, an up-to-date city with efficient municipal .services, combined with' economy of administration. To the ratepavers of the city he would point out that the sacrifices which they would be called upon to make would in all probability be only of a, temporary character, as the progress of the suburban districts in a few yeajrs would enable them to reduce the present discrepancy more and more, and' he would ask then to consider in particular that it was useless for the City of Auckland to embark upon aj thorough system of drainage, if the suburban districtswhere, after all, most of them had their homes, aud where their families re—were not equally safeguarded by the most modern methods of ensuring the public health. If tho delegates decided to pursue the matter further, he would suggest that a second. conference . should be called in, say, a month's time, at which the first business would be to define boundaries, and to settle the . question of wards. While the law gave no power to bind their successors with regard to this latter question,' he thought an understanding might be come to, which no doubt the Council of the united borough would honourably observe, that the ward system should' remain in force for a fixed period, say 10 years, after which the Council should be at liberty, if it so desired, to take the steps prescribed by law to put an end to it. He would leave the matter in the hands of the delegates., The duty which was laid upon them as the representatives chosen by the various local bodies interested for the discussion of thi!?' proposal was one of great moment, and he was sure that it was unnecessary for him to ask them to rise to the importance of the occasion, and to approach the question in a broad, public spirit, with a due recognition of their responsibilities both to the present and future ctizens of our fair city. (Loud applause.) VIEWS OF DELEGATES. The Hon. E. Mitchelson asked if it was the intention to have the scheme printed, as it was important the delegates should have copies to lay before their respective councils. The Mayor said he quite recognised the importance of laying the matter fully before councils and ratepayers. It waii a. question whether the boroughs would pay the cost of printing. > Mr. J. Fitt . (Parnell) said he hardly thought the boroughs should be called upon to contribute. The Mayor of Auckland called the conference, and should see about the cost of the printing. The Mayor said there need be no question on that score, for he would be only too pleased to have the report printed at his own expense, and circulated. Mr. Mitchelson having moved, " That the Mayor be requested to have the report printed and circulated," the motion was carried unanimously. The Mayor said he would be pleased to answer any questions, as he recognised that it was impossible for any delegate, simply from hearing the report read, to form any thorough idea as to the merits of the whole schemc. EPSOM AN D ONE-TREE HILL. Mr. Bloomfield (Epsom) said he would like to know whether there was any definite proposal for the delegates to take back to their respective.bodies. 1 he Mayor had sketched out the proposal brought up by the committee set up by the local bodies in 1904, which included portions only of certain districts, and he had also hinted at a broader scheme, which embraced the whole of these districts. The delegates wished to know exactly what was proposed, and unless tlier had something definite, to take back there would be nothing far the local bodies to discuss. The Major said that the area affected by hi.M scheme was the same as outlined by the original committee. Tho scbajne had been clearly set forth, and although it might be difficult for those who heard it for tho first time to understand it, it could easily be understood after it had been read. The scheme he claimed provided a basis of amalgamation. which was sufficient for the purposes of discussion by any local body. Each body could ascertain from it what they would gain and what they would lose. The position had been plainly stated, and nothing had been kept back or exaggerated. His desire had been to place the true facts before the conference. If any further information were required before the next meeting he would be only too pleased to supply it

Mr. Bloomfield said lie would like to be able to tell his Board whether it was proposed to include the whole of the district or only part of it. This was a serious matter for the Board and the ratepayers.

Mr. Mitchelson (Bemuera) said that to his mind the question was quite simple. The boundaries suggested included portions only of certain districts, but it was only a tentative scheme.- Mr. Bloomfteld's Board could decide whether it would allow a portion of its district to be absorbed, or whether the wlio'.e should be tajcen in.

Mr. Parr (City) said that if it was desired to take in a portion outside the prescribed radius it could be done by means of a Bill.

Mr. Mitchelson said the question of drainage was one of the most important to be considered, arad in a general scheme the city and all the suburbs affected could be provided for*

A QUESTION OP. TRAMWAY PROFITS. Mr. Burton (One-tree Hill) said the One-tree Hill Board also desired information similar to that asked for by Mr. Bloomfield, There were three licensed houses in his district, and it was proposed to take one of these. According to the scheme outlined the. district would lose practically £150 in revenue, and the question was what was it going to get in return. His district needed drainage, and he would like to know whit prospect there would be oi getting this provided if they fell in with the scheme. Another 'juestion was that of the tramway profits. Would the profits received by the City Council from the working of the lines remain as at present, or would they be enlarged with the constitution of a. Greater Auckland area ? The Mayor said that, as Mr. Mit-hel-m [ had stated, the proposed boundaries wcie j only tentative. They had to start some- > where. The boundaries mentioned existed t only on paper, and there was nothing hard and fast about them. The local bodies would Jiave to decide whether they would go into the scheme at all. and whether, if they did so, the boundaries should remain as suggested, or be extended. As to the tramway profits, he wished it to bo clearly understood that these would remain, as at present, the property of the present City Council. These- profits were being set aside as a fund for the repayment of certain loans raised by the City Council and the other local bodies (who had no provision as to receiving profits from lines in their district) would not l>e interested in them. Mr. Kinder (Newmarket.) asked if there was any guarantee that the City Council, which was the leading influence, had adopted, or agreed with, the proposals put forward. Ho would like to know how far the City Council was prepared to go in the matter, and if it was prepared to adopt the Mayor's scheme as a basis of agreement with the boroughs. The Mayor replied that the City Council would bo in exactly the same position as the suburban borough councils. That was the first occasion on which the delegates from the City Council had heard the report. The scheme would be laid before the City Council, which might or might not agree with it, and the delegates could be sure the City Council would give the matter very careful consideration. He trusted the various bodies would all come to conclusions upon the merits of the question, whether they desired to amalgamate or not, whether that scheme was a suitable basis, or not, and whether modifications or enlargement were required. Mr. Mitchelson said he would like to see the point about the tramway profits cleared up. As he understood it, the tramway profits were set aside as a sinking .fund for loans in contemplation. The Mayor said the tramway profit were for payment of loans, not necessarily in con- 1 templation. I Mr. Mitchelson said he understood about certain loans for. waterworks, destructor, etc. , But he thought it was quite clear that the revenue from the tramways, supposing the loans were redeemed, would become the property of the united borough, and the united districts would receive the benefit- of the tramway profits in the future. The Mayor said that question was open to discussion. The intention of the present City Council was to set the profits aside lor the present city purposes. For . how long the profits should be so set aside would be matter for discussion. Mr; Mitchelson: In any case they are decreasing the rates. The Mayor said it! the wards were abolished, of course, the- whole united borough would benefit by the profits from the tramways. Mr. J. Farrell (Grey Lynn) said he took it that there waa'nothing binding on the local bodies to adhere to that scheme. It the local body agreed to a scheme that the City Council agreed to, then a poll of the suburban borough would have to be taken. In his district a pell was taken formerly, and the proposal was rejected, chiefly, he thought, through the fact that the information laid before the delegates that, evening had not been available to the ratepayers at that time. The ratepayers then knew nothing about the proposal, or what they stood to lose or gain. A great deal of thanks was due from the local bodies to the Mayor of Auckland for the manner in which the information had been so fully and com- . prehensively prepared by the Mayor. There was quite sufficient information, he thought, for each delegate to take back, to his respective council for discussion and conclusions, and when the delegates next met they would be in a position to ask questions, and have various) points explained. The information seemed to him. to be very full and detailed, and the Mayor's general remarks gave some idea to the people of each district as to what they would gain by extension of the city. Presuming a local authority took a poll, and the proposal for amalgamation ''was carried, would the city also require to take a poll sis to whether it would take in the bofough in each case? ' The Mayor said he did not think so. Mr. Farrell said the question would then be for the boroughs to understand on what basis the City Council would take the boroughs in. ' The Mayor said, as he had already stated, the borough would take a poll, and if the poll was carried, the City Council would require to pass a resolution. Mr." Fatrell: And in the. meantime the City Council will go into this, and we will know the basis. Mr. Jenkins (Arehhill) asked how the drainage system would affect the rates. The Mayor, replied that it. would only affect the city localities. If the drainage system did "not comprise the whole united borough, only those districts affected, would have to pay. So long as there were wards it would be only those having drainage that would have to pay the interest on the cost of the scheme. Mr.'Fitt said he understood the principle object of the Greater Auckland scheme was to have one drainage scheme. Supposing a borougn was already drained, how would it. be affected? *

Mr. Pair (City Council): Where is there a borough drained? The Mayor said he would be pleased to hear of any borough that was properly drained. A FURTHER MEETING. Alter further discussion Mr. Hutchison moved, "That the conference meet again that day six weeks at the same place and time." In seconding this, Mr. Parr said it was quite clear that the Mayor was now making a definite proposal to, the suburban boroughs that they should join the city,.and. it was for them to say whether they "would do so or not. The citizens of Auckland proper were certainly indebted to the Mayor, for he (the Mayor) had, for the first occasion, placed before them the sacrifices they would have to make for, amalgamation. They had been quite' aware of the benefits that were to flow from it, but only that night had they been made aware of just what the city would lose by going into amalgamation. He had no doubt that the city would do its duty when the tirno came. It would be for the City Council to consider the matter very carefully, and, he thought, public meetings might be held m the suburban districts. On behalf of the citizens of Auckland he thanked the Mayor for the exhaustive statement he had prepared of the financial position, and it was only duo to the Mayor, after the tremendous work he had had, that all tho bodies interested should consider the question carefully. It would be the duty of the suburban bodies to pull the figures to pieces if possible, and if they all agreed then he would be a bold man who would come there and say there was no hope of amalgamation. The Mayor pointed out that ho made no definite proposal to the boroughs to join the city, as it was not in his province to do fir*. He had outlined a proposal that ho thought might meet with the views of all interested. He welcomed criticism of fie scheme. He had suggested it in the test interests of the city of Auckland, and with the one desire to sec the city worthy of its great destiny. The motion to meet again in six weeks' time 1 was then carried. VOTE OF THANKS. The Hon. Mr. Mitchelson then moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor for the very comprehensive and valuable scheme placed before the meeting. Mr. Bloomtield seconded the motion, and asked how soon the drainage scheme would be in operation. The Mayor explained the facte of the various reports in the matter,, iftcllidipt tho

sending Home of Mr. Mestayer's reply t<3 Mr. J. Midgley Taylor's criticism!', and went on to say that the legates might rest assured that it did not matter what Council or Mayor was in < 'tire in the city, there was going to be. .'it the earliest possible moment, a comprehensive scheme of drain as,'.: gone on with in the city. The vote of thanks was then carried amidst applause.