NORTH SHORE BODIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19699, 27 July 1927, Page 13

NORTH SHORE BODIES.

AMALGAMATI ON QUESTION.

OPINIONS OF RATEPAYERS.

COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE.

A largely-attended meeting of North Shore /.residents, was held . in -the Chamber of; Commerce last evening to consider the question , of. amalgamating the four boroughs under. the control of one central'body, instead „of four separate councils as at, present. Mr. J.-Wallace, president of the Takapuna- Ratepayers: and Residents' Association, occupied the chair. It; was decided to forjn a committee representative of the four councils, and of 13: other North Shore bodies,, to ,go into the ; whole question. Mr.. A. ,E. Greenslade, Mayor of Northco^e,; said he., was an ardent advocate of the i amalgamation of North Shore boropghs.- In..the first place, a resultant economy :inj administration .would tend to create greater efficiency. One body would be able to work far more efficiently than three'or four. The control of water supply alone was ample , proof that waste was taking place by the operation of several plants, whereas one wouid quite well serve the whole area. Reading and transport, difficulties could be , eliminated by co-operated effort by all the North Shore boroughs. Uniform .by-laws would also be accorded widespread , support. Mr. J. W. Williamson, Mayor of Takapuna, said he was not representing his council in an official capacity. His own view Was that the question of amalgamation should be deferred for three or four years; A great future was before the North Shore boroughs, and it seemed clear the present movement would come to fruition : sooner or later. The several borough councils' and other bodies : should discuss the whole question, however, and more definite proposals should be submitted before action was taken.

' ; Opposition to Proposal. Mr. E. Aldridge, Mayor of Devonport, expressed emphatic disapproval of the proposal. Any movement in the direction suggested would not be to the benefit of Devonport. There were special factors operating on the North Shore which did not apply in-the city. In the ca,se of city districts, there were unanimity of interest, geographical proximity and radiation from a common business centre, which had tended to make i, the Greater Auckland scheme a success as far as it had been practised: These points did not apply to North Shore. Mr. O. Moller, representing the Bays-water-Belmont Progressive Association, said more information was required before action could be taken. Mr. E. C. Walton,, of the Birkenhead Ratepayers'' Association, said it'was essential to obtain 'the views of ratepayers in general. In any case there was no community'of interest between boroughs situated, at the extreme ends of the area in question. Mr. -S. E; Kenni'ngs said he felt sure the Waitemata > Chamber of Commerce would support the proposal to amalgamate the four, boroughs. However, the movement would be quite useless unless an equitable arrangement to suit all parties could be made. , , • - , . i Saying Administrative Costs.

Mr. J.. W. Hayden, chairman of the Waitemata Power Board, said no statement had been. made to show that amalgamation would not prove generally beneficial It was estimated that about £10,(500 a year could be saved in administrative charges if the boroughs combined. The solution of the harbour bridge problem would not be found while the boroughs were .disunited. No good would result from delaying amalgamation, and a representative committee should be set up to investigate the. whole question. After further discussion it was decided to request all bodies" interested to appoint one representative on an investigation committee. Besides the four borough councils the following bodies will be approached Beachhaven Progressive -and Social League, Birkenhead Business Men's Association, Takapuna Ratepayers' Association, Bayswater-Belmont Progressive Association,- Victoria Park and North Devonport Ratepayers' Association, Devonport Traders' Association, Northcote Ratepayers' Association, Melrose Ratepayers' Association, Milford Ratepayers' Association, Stanley Bay Improvement Society, Birkdale Ratepayers' Association, and Waitemata Chamber of Commerce.