MT. EDEN AND THE CITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18703, 8 May 1924, Page 10

MT. EDEN AND THE CITY.

AMALGAMATION * PROPOSAL.

ARGUMENTS 'IN FAVOUR.

economy IN administration.

A meeting in-support of the proposal for the amalgamation of Mount Eden with the city was held at St. Barnabas Hall, kit Evening, and was attended by about ICO • people. Mr. C. Hudson presided. The meeting was a sympathetic one. ■ ; :*

The chairman explained that the movement did not come from a dissatisfied part of the council, ' but from dissatisfied ratepayers, who wanted & change in administration, and were in support of the Greater Auckland movement. It had not been met with argument, but only with abuse. He criticised the action of officials of the council in canvassing the district. Was it right that the town clerk should also be returning officer?

Objections to the movement could be summarised. Some people said _ that. the time was not yet. He maintained that amalgamation should be effected before the council committed itself to the great expense of concreting roads. Mount Eden rates were at present lower than the city, but there was a tremendous amount to do in the borough. The drainage was a disgrace to an up-to-date borough. Was ia not better before incurring the great expense of road and drainage improvements, to get into line with the city and let the works be carried out by the amalgamated boroughs. It would be worth it to pay a slightly higher rate. Mr. Hudson referred to the growth of the civic idea. The districts that had previously joined the city had a degree of advancement, which they had not got in the older days. Other advantages included economy of administration, greater ease in raising loans, and uniformity of by-laws. Mr. H. E. Vaile said no modern city had not absorbed its suburbs, since the interests of the people were exactly the same. The opposition of the borough council was no new thing. In Remuera at present, the rates were not half what they would have been, had the district remained under the road board. Other speakers were Messrs. T. McNab, J. Findlay, ami T. Salmon. Arrangements were made for organisation on Tuesday, the day of the poll. OPPOSITION TO PROPOSAL. PUBLIC MEETING TO-NIGHT. A meeting of those in opposition to the amalgamation will be held this evening in the Mount Eden Methodist Schoolroom, Gordon Road. The Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. E. H. Potter, will preside.