REMUERA AND GREATER AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15233, 21 February 1913, Page 4

REMUERA AND GREATER AUCKLAND.

Sir,—l hope no' ratepayer will bo deceived by the pretence of the Road Board' that it is investigating the question of Greater Auckland. During the preisent year, the board has twice defeated . motions favouring union with the city, but at the eleventh hour, when it sees public feeling is roused, •it talks about an impartial investigation. Such a proposal is not likely, at this stage, to enlist much _ confidence in its efforts. There are two things, however, that the Remuera public -would like.to see investigated, and at once. First, how much of our money has been spent in the utterly unnecessary erections at _ Remuera, recently referred to by Mr. Erni Bond as "our fine new' municipal buildings," and, secondly, "what liability has the board landed the ratepayers of Remuera in by signing an agreement with the Harbour Board to reclaim the now Hobson Park? Mr. Ware, an experienced engineer, has givon it as his opinion that tho cost of reclamation will be £100,000. ' Tho Road Board, would do well to immediately get their own engineer to report his estimate of the cost of reclamation. One thing seems clear, and that is, that the Road Board has plunged into this park proposition without getting any reliable expert's estimate of the ultimate cost. "When blunders like these are made almost every month by the Road Board, . one cannot help wishing for a change in the system of local government. Gbeateb Auckland. ' Sir,ln reply to "Disgusted Remueraite" I would like to point out that wo had no meeting on Wednesday. Ho is probably confounding his meeting •with ours. - Ho also states that our association only numbers 18 or 20. Now, our association las only been working some eoven or eight months, and our worthy secretary tells me that close on. 100 have joined, and that over 70 have paid their subscription. The ratepayers of Remuera .are the best judges as to the good our association has done in tho district. : When presiding, at the public meeting addressed by the Mayor and town clerk I was very guarded in my statements, as the -Mayor could only give us his. opinion, and it was clear any promises made oy him could bo turned down 'by the councillors. When we formed our association a notice of motion was given that Remuera bo formed into a -borough. I moved an amendment, which was carried, that we approach tho Auckland City Council as to the terms on which they would take us in as a ward of the city. Although wo have been considering thb matter, getting information from every part of New Zealand, and deputationisin'g the Mayor, up to this tho City Council lias ma no offer of what terms they will give us if we join as a ward. A few individuals at Remuera, for reasons best known to themselves, have tried to force an amalgamation, but have not given any information as to the terms tho council will give us. Our association is anxious to place before the ratepayers full particulars, so as to guide them in deciding for or against. . The circular issued* and signed by Mr. Dcsborough is only assertions; not a particle of: proof is given. . I am a large ratepayer in the city, a small one at Remera; but all my property is freehold. I am as anxious to got a good deal for Auckland as I am for Remuera; in fact-,' more sb; but I cannot go behind facts * and figures. . We are told, amongst other " assertions in .the circular, that Remuera will have _ cheaper water, better roads, electric lighting, etc. A few comparisons will show the fallacy of such assertions. A property of mine in the city; letting value £72 per annum, water rate £10 16 per annum. Remuera, letting value £100 per annum, water rate, including hire of meter, less than £2. As to elect.rio lighting, I use gas and electric light. Gas I find is'very much cheaper. Regarding roads, wo could not have much worse roads than "Victoria, Federal, Hobson, and adjacent streets. Horses and carts have been bogged of lato opposite my shop. Remuera ' roads will compare favourably with some of our Auckland street, I *. . I would say to the ratepayers of Remuera: "Bo cautious, don't sign ' anything till you know what the other side of tho bargain is to be." ■ J. K. Hai?HAN, l . ' Chairman Ratepayers' Association.