PROPOSED NEW BOROUGH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14587, 25 January 1911, Page 8

PROPOSED NEW BOROUGH.

EPSOM AND ONE-TREE HILL.

A UNANIMOUS CONFERENCE.

A conference of representatives of the One-tree Hill and) Epsom Road Boards, to discuss tho question of the amalgamation of tho two districts, was held in the Newmarket Borough Council Chambers last evening. Messrs. E. A. Craig, E. W. Burton, and T. Rowe represented- the Onetree Hill Road Board, and Messrs. E. J. Jones, T. Grainger, and R. G. Clark the Epsom Road Board. ' - Mr. E. A. Craig presided, and said ho considered the time had) arrived for the amalgamation of the two districts. A main arterial road was the boundary of the two districts, and it was most desirable that one authority should maintain ami control it. The question of drainage was also a most important one. Ho believed that in three years' time the main sewer-would connect at the Junction Hotel with the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board's sewer, and when this important work was being carried out there would be great difficulties, and possibly litigation, if there was divided control. • The formation- of a fire brigade would bo practicable under tho proposed new' order of "things. : The following motion was then put and carried imanimously: — That in the opinion of the members of the conference it is desirable. that the Epsom and) One-tree Hill Road Board districts should be united into one borough, and that the joint boards formulate a scheme, whereby the object may be at-, tamed."-.. . -y: --■'-. -« • ( Mr. E. ■J. Jones supported the amalgamation, and especially : supported the formation of "a fire brigade. Ho said Epsom had a quarry that would servo the new borough for many years. . ... Mr. E. W. Burton said unification in regard to a water supply was most desirable. He felt sure that the decision of the conference voiced) the opinion of the majority of : the residents in the two districts.. ~ '.-. Messrs. Rowe and Grainger also strongly favoured the amalgamation. '■ .The Chairman, *in replying, said there was not a case on record of amalgamated bodies wishing to resume the old order of tilings. - The relative positions, of the boards were as ■ follows: —Epsom: Capital value, £613,453; annual revenue, £2366; estimated population, 2000. Onetree Hill: 'Capital value, £722,173; ; revenue, £2046; estimated population, 2500. In explanation of the respective revenues, he pointed out that there was a charitable aid rate in Epsom district, which One-tree Hill district did) not strike. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. ,