NORTH SHORE BOROUGHS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20424, 28 November 1929, Page 13

NORTH SHORE BOROUGHS

AMALGAMATION QUESTION. CONFLICTING VIEWS HELDy DISCUSSION AT CONFERENCE. REQUEST FOR FULL' DETAILS* The proposed amalgamation of the four North Shore Boroughs was discussed at a conference in the Chamber of Commerce last evening. Mr. J.- W. Williamson, Mayor of Takapuna, presided. After lengthy discussion the conference was adjourned to secure financial and other figures from the councils concerned. Mr. Williamson said that the question. of amalgamation was a very vexed one and ifc could not be dealt with at one meeting. Ho hoped that it would be handed on to a small, committee which could give it detailed consideration and report to a further conference. Although ho had gone fully into the question he did not think that the time jvas ripe for amalgamation. Mr, E. Aldridge, Mayor of Devonport, said that the question had been discussed at several conferences and on each occasion it had resolved itself into the expression of opinions. These opinions would have to bo supported by facts before any progress could be made. "The fact that we all live on the same harbour and all drink out of the same lake is not sufficient/- he said. Obtaining Full Information. Outlining facts which he considered of primary importance, Mr. Aldridge said that the borough representatives should have details of capital and unimproved values, present population and the capacity of each district, the condition of each borough's balance-sheet, its loan commitments, sinking funds, revenue and expenditure, rates arid ratable values. In addition it would be necessary to know the various methods of rating and the incidence of rating and the capacity of each individual to bear heavier financial burdens if amalgamation took place. Particulars concerning road works, water reticulation and drainage were also essential as well as those relating to fire-, fighting equipment and public buildings used for administration. Unless these details were produced any partnership would most likely be futile. The boroughs would also need to know the method of amalgamation proposed, the location of the administrative centre/ staff arrangements and the financial and practical benefits that would accrue. Mr. J. Guiniven, of Takapuna, said that facts and figures were unnecessary. They needed to know only whether a community of interest existed on the North Shore, and he believed that ifc did. Hie time was ripe for amalgamation. He » understood that Devonport would not join the other boroughs unless it could get something out of the scheme. "If we are going to adopt the attitude of Devonport, which I consider .the Newmarket of the North Shore, we will get nowhere," he said.

Forming A " Great Council." Mr. Williamson suggested that amalgamation should involve the formation of a " great council" to deal with larger problems and that the borough councils should be retained tc deal with local questions. This scheme was being considered in the establishment of Greater Sydney, actual experience there having shown that smaller bodies would hive to handle questions affecting them only. It was all very well talking platitudes, but concrete facts had first to be considered. Mr. J. P. McPhail, Mayor of Birkenhead, said that he did not favour amalgamation as he did not- see that there was anything to be gained. There was at present very little, if any, community of interest between Devonport and Birkenhead, whoso boundaries were about 13 miles apart. Were the harbour bridge constructed it was likely that Birkunhead would look more to the city. Mr. A. E. Greenslade, Mayor of Northcote, said he thought that Mr. Aldridga had asked for too much detail for a ■ preliminary investigation. ■ He considered that they should set out to instil the ideal of a North Shore community, and until that ideal had been established the actual details of amalgamation could be left alone. There was at present a definite community of interest among the boroughs in regard to town planning, water supply, transport, drainage, refuse collection, recreation grounds and fire-fight-ing appliances. It would be greatly to the advantage of the North Shore if tha boroughs could go before the Harbour Bridge Commission and speak with one voice. Amalgamation would make for more efficient and economical administration, and that was an argument ,in its favour. From the viewpoint of Northcote it .would be difficult to amalgamate at present as the v borough would lose .large subsidies on its highways construction. Costs of Administration. u Amalgamation is a question 0 f fact and not an ideal," said Mr. T. Walsh, of Devonport. He said {hat a .conference was held at Takapuna two years ago to consider amalgamation and a committee then set up was requested to provide figures for a later conference. The> figures were still unprepared. He was certain that amalgamation would not result -iua reduction of administrative costs. " AH we will get rid of will be some of our councillors and perhaps three Mayors, but . they do not cost the boroughs anything, at least directly," Mr. Walsh added.

There would have to be as many officials as ever, as well as subsidiary oflices for the collection of rates and for other work. The proposed city on the North Shore would be larger than Auckland City proper. One engineer could not handle all work on the North Shore. Four firefighting plants would be needed. The present facilities for refuse collection were beyond present needs. The boroughs were at present receiving plenty of wa.ter at a fairly cheap rate. The North Shore was actually governed by one body in 1848. but the system was not successful and administration had to bo delegated to lour separate bodies. Mr. W. Cassels-Brown, of Devonport, said that he preferred to view the question of amalgamation from the rational viewpoint. H ( o doubted whether there would be any great saving by bringing about amalgamation, and the question should be given much more consideration before a definite schema was drawn up.

Threo Cardinal Points. " I do not intend to be c.arrie3 away by a bursting bubble of idealism that does not ally itself with the practical life of the people," Mr. Aldridge said. Three cardinal points had to be consideerd namely, contiguity of population, community of interest and a common centre of radiation. At present there -was no common hub of life on the North Shore. Ifc was possible that this hub would bs created upon the completion of the "arbour bridge, which would also probably create a greater community of interes . Geographically the- North Shore divided into four separate areas. There could be no real communion beUveen the boroughs until a mam traffic route pined ?a From e a business viewpoint Devonport would be unwise to join any other area, It did desire to se<? any such move comwhich win ; be asked to secure the facta Required for presentation to a furthe^conierence^