GREATER AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19712, 11 August 1927, Page 10

GREATER AUCKLAND.

THE ISSUE AT AVONDALE. KEEN AND LIVELY MEETING. SPEECH BY SUPPORTERS. EXAMPLE OF POINT CHEVALIER. The size of the audience that gathered in the Avondale Town Hall last evening, regardless of tho weather, to hear addresses on the question of the amalgamation of tho Avondale borough with the city, was evidence of tho keenness of the interest that has been aroused in tho matter. The poll of Avondale ratepayers will be taken next Saturday. The chair was occupied by Mr. B. Clews, and tho meeting was arranged by the Citizens' Amalgamation Co mmi 11 ee. "It is true that I am a member of the Auckland City Council, but I want to : make it quite clear that I am not here in that capacity," said Mr. J. A. C. Allum. the first speaker. It was not, lie said, for the City Council to take part in tho amalgamation controversy, which was entirely one for the districts concerned to decide. The fact was that tho amalgamation of these outside bodies was no good to the City Council at all. but the council took a longer view ami visualised the Greater Auckland that had been foreseen by the founders of the city long ago. One obvious advantage of amalgamation was that while tho smaller local bodies could not carry out developments until they were able to bear the financial burden, when they became part of a larger body improvements could be carried out at a much earlier stage. City and the Suburbs. "How would the city get on without the suburbs ?" shouted a man at the back when questions were invited. "I think that the city is getting on very well without the suburbs," retorted Mr. Allum, amid laughter. "But that does not say we are not willing to receive them." "Can you tell us what benefit Avondale in particular is likely to derive from amalgamation ?" asked another questioner. Mr. Allum said he thought tho best answer would be to ast: them to listen to Mr. Coyle telling tliem the advantages that Point Chevalier had derived from amalgamation. "I was a resident of Parnell," said Mr. E. J. Phelan, the next speaker, "when it joined the city, and I have never yet heard any resident of Parnell express regret over it." He had lived at liemuera when it joined, and there, too, there had never been any cause for regret. The affairs of the suburbs should be in the hands of the city. The people of Avondale now had it in their own hands to decide whether they would take a share in control of transport and water supply and othei matters. The Avondale Council collected from 35 ratepayers a sum of £527 18s 7d, whereas the City Council would collect from them only £4lO 6s. . Experience of Point Chevalier. The experience of Point Chevalier smco it united with the city six years ago was recounted by Mr. M. J. Coyle, who was chairman of the Point Chevalier Road Board at the time, lie stated that the council during those six years had spent a quarter of a million pounds on Point Chevalier. The number of houses had increased from 388 to 989. li it had gone on as it was going under the road board the district would have been nothing but a dumping ground for jerry-built nouses. He did not think there was a district in Auckland so well lighted now as Point Chevalier. He showed how greatly the district had benefited by union with the city in streets, drainage, tire protection and other matters. "It took you six years to make that accommodation," said an interjector sneeringly. "It doesn't matter," Mr. Coyle flashed back. "How long did it take you to grow?" (Loud laughter.) Mr. Coyle said that every secondary road at Point Chevalier had been modernised. To day there was not a man, woman or child in tho district who would go back »n amalgamation. Council's Impossible Task. Mr. H. A. Harrow expressed the opinion that Avondale could never be a district until it joined the city. The Mayor and councillors deserved thanks for their disinterested service, but there was upon their shoulders an utterly impossible task. Of the total rates collected, more than half went in overhead expenses. The main concrete road through the borough, which was to have been permanent, was now in need of costly repairs, largely because the local body had not been able to keep the water tables in proper condition. Some rates might go up as a result of amalgamation, but only a very few. Some were now admittedly underrated. (A voice: Under water!) Even if they did have to pay a few shillings more they would get a district they could be proud of. "We want a Point Chevalier shifted over here." (Loud applause.) Mr. 0. Davis said it should bo easy for them to make up their minds on this question. It was a business proposition, whether they would get value for their money. One of the finest things the city had was its tramway system. (Applause and laughter.) It bad been largely responsible for the development of the* suburbs of Auckland. A Shoal o! Questions, There was no delay when questions were asked for. Mr. Darrow's reply to one, that they bird the experience of Point Chevalier to lead them to believe that the City. Council would do the fair tiling by them, was warmly applauded. "I don't' care who answers 'them, so long as they are answored." said a man who marched up with, a list of written questions. One questioner made a point of the fact that: whereas the liability per head of population in Auckland was £7O in Avondale it was only £36. Mr. Coyle said that while a quarter of a million pounds spent by the city in Avondale might raise their rates a few shillings, the same amount spent by the Avondale Borough would raise the - rates by pounds instead of shillings. A member of tho audience challenged Mr. F. Copsev, secretary of the Amalgamation Committee, to express his views. Mr. Copsev unexpectedly accepted tho challenge, and stated the case for amalgamation in a way that won the wholehearted applause of. the audience.