GREATER AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15649, 1 July 1914, Page 10

GREATER AUCKLAND.

GREY LYNN PART OF CITY. UNION BEGINS TO-DAY. LOAN PROPOSAL REVIVED. Thk union of the borough of Grey Lynn with t:ie city of Auckland rill commence to-day in accordance with the proclamation confirming the decision of the elee- ( tors at the poll era April 29, when the proposal that the borough should join the , <c.ity was carried by 1065 votes to 453. A loan has already been raised by the council of Grey Lynn, in compliance with one - to the terms of the union to repay its overdraft, the sum of £10,000 having been borrowed for the purpose. Tho inclusion of Grey Lynn in the city will increase the area of Greater Auckland by 960 acres, with 'a capital value of £1,171.548, while the population will be increased by approximately 2000 people, the number of persons qualified for registration on the municipal rolls by 3913, and the number of ratepayer? by 2713. The total population of the city, including Grey Lynn, is about 59,570 and its area. 5500 acres. Three public domains are situated* in Grey Lynn, their combined extent being 95 acres Steps are to be taken immediately to raise a loan for expenditure in Grey Lynn. Various public works, involving a total cost of £100,000, were proposed by the Borough Conncil but authority to raise the loan was refused by the ratepayers by 613 votes to 475. According to the terms of •union, arrangements must bo made by the united council, within four months, to talio another poll in Grey Lynn upon a proposal to borrow not less than £100,000 for expenditure in the district. Discussing the matter yesterday, tho Mayor of Auckland said the necessary arrangements wilt be initiated at the first meeting of the united council next week. The task of revising tho sch.'dub of works to be undertaken will be referred to the Works Committee, to which representatives of Gr.»y Lynn will be added. A tour of the district" will probably be made in order that tho committee may hilly investigate its needs. On receiving a report from the committee the council will submit the proposals to tho ratepayers of Grey Lynn without delay. "There is "no doubt that to expenditure o* at least £100,000 is urgently needed in Grey Lynn," said Mr. Parr. " The Borough Council has been doing its best but, owing to lack of funds, it has not been able to accomplish a great deal. I have no doubt that the present City Council will receive valuable assistance from the members of the Grey Lynn Council." Mr Parr added: "They "are all good men and I am confident that they will work in harmony with the present City Council for the benefit of the united city." POSITION IN BEMTJEBA. "BOARD A STUMBLING BLOCK." TERMS STILL AVAILABLE. Recent proceedings in regard to the proposed amalgamation of tho Remuera Road District with the city were received yesterday by the Mayor of Auckland. A recommendation was made by the parties appearing before the commission of inquiry that the Remuera Road Board should immediately confer with the City Council to arrange .terms for the proposed imion. By a majority of five votes to three, the board declined to act upon this suggestion, and it was this decision of the board upon which Mr. Parr particularly remarked. "I trust there will soon be some finality reached," said Mr. Parr. " Everyone knows that the advantages of union will be greater for R-emuera than for tjie city, but, in view of contemplated I changes, the City Council wishes to know [ as soon as possible whether Remuera is going to join the city. Over 50 per cent. lof tho ratepayers in the district have i already spoken" by petition, and every intelligent ratepayer in Remuera is tired of road board administration. Apparently I the only stumbling block in the way of l union is tho Road Board, or rather the four or five members who are opposed to Greater Auckland. The attitude of the i board seems to me to be as inconsistent as it is insincere. Though both parties before the commission vised a confer- . ence, the board has refused to meet the • City Council to discuss terms. Yet only the other day one of the arguments against union was that terms had not been de.cided. So far as this question is concerned, the board need have no anxiety, for the terms which were arranged last I year are still available as a basis for amalgamation." ! A demand has been rcade by the board that the proposal should be submitted to a poll. Mr. Parr remarked that, as more : than half the ratepayers had signed the J petition in favour of union, a poll would |be an unnecessary and heavy expense. He considered that the board was merely endeavouiing to delay matters as it had done in the past. A year ago the board asked the council for terms, declaring that the arrangement would be placed before the ratepayers. A basis of union was arranged, but it had never been submitted to the ratepayers for approval. "Naturally enough the residents in Rorr.uera are disgusted," said Mr. Parr. "Until the commission makes its report, it would be improper for me to make any comment upon the evidence given to it, but I do desire to say that the antics of the board are prejudicial to the interests of both Remuera and tho city, for its policy is clearly to delay union at all costs."