MOUNT ROSKILL AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19753, 28 September 1927, Page 14

MOUNT ROSKILL AFFAIRS.

g irj —,\s a ratepayer of Mount Roskill and a staunch advocate of anything tending to improvement and progress in this most promising district, I most decidedly agree that determined action should be taken to terminate the humbug, nonsense and undignified scenes enacted of late at the gatherings of the Road Board. But I maintain that it is beyond all reason to ask us to join with the city, to have our public affairs and finances handled there, when we have now an opportunity to amalgamate with the borough of Mount Eden, and by such a combination secure administration that will bring undoubted success, desirable advantages and economical operation in all public services in both areas. Let us not impetuously rush in where even celestial winged messengers fear to tread; lest we—with others who may have already sealed their fate on a wrong bargain—presently have also to send up the wail of opportunity lost. In mv opinion, a reasonable and feasible plan would be to request the chairman of the Road Board to call a public meeting of ratepayers and secure the views and opinions of gentlemen qualified to explain various proposals, particularly that of joining Mount Eden. I fear if we join the, city Mount Roskill will be placed last on" the list of about five different tramwav extensions, which will mean a period of some years before we secure any benefit in that direction. The move for amalgamation with the city is merely manoeuvring on the part of landowners to squash the unimproved values schemo. If smaller owners allow this injustice'to be perpetrated, and vote to join the citv, they are simply seeking the downfall of their own little piece of property in .Mount Roskill. Deliberate most carefully and be wise in time. Ratepayer. Sir, —A statement is being widely circulated in the Roskill district to the effect that the advantages to be reaped by the change to rating on unimproved values will be counter-balanced bv a revaluation of property. Ratepayers can rest assured that there will be no revaluation as suggested, and no doubt anyone applying at the board's office will be able to see for himself the minute recording the Valuer-General's reply to the board's application for a revaluation. Ratepayers will be well advised to act very warily in the present "join the city" campaign, and to remember that many of the prime movers are the old opponents of rating on unimproved values. The cloud at present hanging over our administration will soon pass away, and with peace once more reigning and the assurance that householders will have lower rates next year under the unimproved system, Roskill will be well a Vile to look after its own affairs without going to the city, and joining up, as the Mavor .says we must do, "unconditionally. ' Ratepayer.