GOVERNMENT OF TAKAPUNA

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14730, 12 July 1911, Page 8

GOVERNMENT OF TAKAPUNA

A BOROUGH SUGGESTED.

COLLECTING INFORMATION.

The consideration of a proposal to form a portion of tho Takapuna Riding of the Waitemata, County into a borough occupied the attention of a meeting of about 300 persons in the Takapuna Parish Hall last evening. '■■ ' ;' { ' '■■■•■'■» ' : Mr. E. W. Alison occupied the chair. Ho said tho meeting would have to decide whether the time was ripe for the formation of a borough. • They would have to recognise that if they formed a borough there would bo greater expense in administration than there was at present,. but on the other hand, they would have control of the expense in their own hands. Considering tho future of Takapuna, ho thought the time was nearly ripe,- if it was not ripe now, for the formation of a borough. (Applause.) , . Mr. R. T. Graham urged that the time had arrived for the people of Takapuna to undertake the management of their own affairs. ■ . ; . - » - ' Mr. G. Creamer supported the proposal to form a, borough, and said the population of Takapuna was now 1218, and there were 274 dwellings, . v, : . Mr. A. Harris urged that by forming a borough they would get better roads and better facilities in every way. They could also make a decisive move in the direction of securing a reduction in gas charges, and by installing a thorough and up;to-dafo water supply. "I'll make an offer to give the land for the new Council Chambers," said Mr. Rayneis amid applause. Mr. H. Brett said the question required mature and very serious consideration. The time, in Ins opinion, had nearly arrived when they should form the district into a borough, but for certain reasons the time had not yet arrived. Knowledge ■which he possessed in regard to matters still proceeding between the Waitcmata County Council and the Tramways Company, led him to advise that the matter should be postponed. The questions at issue- were serious ones involving large sums of money, and if it were not for these ho would be with them at once, and say start at once. ■ . >■

Mr. Mahoney and others supported Mr. Brett's view, and ultimately the chairman ' moved the following resolution: — "That this meeting is of opinion that with a view to forming a portion of the Takapuna riding into a borough in the near future,'it is advisable to obtain full information respecting this all-important question, and that Messrs. A. Paynes, G. (J rim wade, F. Beecham, H. Brett, G. Creamer', 11. Graham, J. Williamson, R. H. Duder, Mahoney, J. Buchanan, A. Harris, and the mover be appointed a committee to inquire into, and report to a future meeting on the following—(1) Boundaries and area of tho proposed new borough; (2) estimated amount of revenue : (3) annual charges for clerical and engineering expenses, and office expences; (4) assets and liabilities; (5) general statement of information which would assist a public meeting in discussing the whole question.'' , . ■ "'- . The motion was carried without dissent* - - ■ .':- ■'~■'■' i <