MT. EDEN BOROUGH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25180, 18 April 1945, Page 8

MT. EDEN BOROUGH

1 AMALGAMATION ISSUE RATE 8 AND DEVELOPMENT "Amalgamation as it concerns the Mount Eden borough resolves itself into a question of absorpti'on by -Auckland citv," said Mr R. J. Mills, Mayor of Mount Eden, when giving evidence before the Parliamentary committee on local government, yesterday. "On two occasions in the past polls have been taken on the question, ' continued Mr Mills, "and each time the inhabitants of Mount Eden have said with no uncertain voice that they wish to continue running their own snow." The borough was a compact, higniydeveloped, thickly-populated area, with community of interest, he _ sai d, aim had a population of just under 20,U0U people living on 1476 acres, Ihe people were civic-minded, and councillors and candidates for local elections were all personally known to, the electors. "it is desired to protest emphatically against two most undesirable features of the Local Government (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill," Mr Mills continued. "No provision is made in it to ascertain the wishes by poll or otherwise of the people of the areas proposed to be absorbed, and the onus of proof is based upon the wrong party." For the year ended March 31, 1932, Mount Eden borough rates were 4s 2d in the pound as compared with Auckland City rates of 3s lid, Mr Mills continued. The comparison today showed Mount Eden rates to be 3s lOd and Auckland Gity 4s sd. In 1932 Mount Eden had an overdraft of £45,000. This year the overdraft had been turned into a credit of £BSBO, in addition to a reserve for works fund which now amounted to £4072. . .

The borough was fully developed, the two main streets being concreted throughout, and no street or road in the borough was in a lower category than bitumen-sealed. Thl whole borough was sewered —an expensive job which had cost nearly £500.000. After there had been some discussion regarding metropolitan boards the chairman of the committee. Air 11. MoKeen, said that from an examination of Auckland city it seemed impossible for the city to expand while it was hemmed in by a multitude of local bodies. He believed that Auckland had a great future once it could expand, but it seemed ridiculous that there should be about 200 representatives running a city of this size. Perhaps if Mount Eden were not so close to Auckland its rates would be not 3s lOd but 10s 3d. The committee adjourned until this morning. NOTED TRAINER'S DEATH MR MURRAY HOBBS (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday The death has occurred of Mr Murray Hobbs, aged 82. The early part of his life was spent in South Canterbury, where he first became associated with racing in 1880. From Timaru he went to Ashburton and at a later date he took over the Racecourse Hotel at Riccarton. At both these places he continued his active association with racing. He raced Lady Zetland with much success. She was the first horse to win the Great Easter and Great Autumn double, while the New Zealand Cup and Canterbury Cup were other races she won in Mr Hobbs' colours. Prime Warden also won for him the Canterbury Cup, Benzoin the Stewards' Handicap. Ivanoff the Welcome Stakes, while Dundas was successful in the Dunedin Champagne Stakes, Great Autumn Handicap and Dunedin Cup, In partnership with his brother, Mr Campbell Hobbs, he won the Grand National Steeplechase and other jumping races with Moody, while they were joint ! owners of Prime Warden when he won i the Great Autumn Handicap. Mr Mur- ; ray Hobbs trained Sarasen for Mr R. Allen, his wins including the Great Easter Handicap and Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap. Among the latest j owners he trained for were Mr J. B. I Reid and Mr J. C. N. Grigg, one of | the last horses to be in his care being ! the imported Gay Lad. He took Kilboy to Australia to win the Australian Jockey Club Derby for Messrs W. G. Stead and E. S. Luttrell, while he also had charge of Sasanof for the same owners when he won the Melbourne Cup : a few weeks later. In his young days Mr Hobbs had a great deal of success as an athlete. OBITUARY MR GORDON FULTON (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday The death has occurred of Mr Gordon Fulton, owner of Okuku Pass station, Rangiora, aged 61. Born at Rangiora, he was educated at Christ's College. After some years with the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.. Ltd., he managed the Ackroy and Mount Stewart stations and then farmed at Rotherham and Amberley before acquiring the Okuku Pass property. He was a director of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Co., Ltd.," Warner's Hotel, Ltd., and Quill Morris and Co., Ltd. He was president of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association in 1934, a steward of the Canterbury Jockey Club and president of the Amberley Racing Club. Several horses raced in his colours. MR S. A-. O OIL VIE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The death has occurred of Mr S. A. Ogilvie, formerly deputy - DirectorGeneral of the Post and Telegraph Department. at the age of SS. He retired in 1943. MR H. B. S. JOHNSTONE (P.A.) TIMARU, Tuesday The death occurred in Waimate today of Mr Harry Bell Spearman Johnstone, of Otaio, aged 62, a well-known sheepfarmer. Mr Johnstone represented South Canterbury on the electoral college of the Meat Board for some years, but resigned a few months ago, when he was appointed a member of the New Zealand Wool Council. Two of his four sons are serving in Italy and a third recently returned on furlough from the Fleet Air Arm. There are two daughters. MRS A. A. MONTGOMERY (0.C.) DARGAVLLLE, Tuesday The death has occurred of Mrs Alice Ann Montgomery at Arapohue. She was born at Auckland in 1864 and came to the Mititai district in 1879, residing there until her death. She was married to the late Mr Thomas Montgomery in 1881 and reared a family of ten sons and four daughters. Mrs Montgomery was an ardent worker for the Anglican Church and took a keen interest in the Northern Wairoa Agricultural and Pastoral Association. She is survived by five sons and five daughters.

TOURIST ROADS UPKEEP (0.C.) ROTORUA. Tuesday As a result of a request from the Minister of Works, the Rotorua County Council decided today to increase it's annual contribution to the maintenance of Jpurist roads in the district from £175 to £3OO. The department has approved of this increase.

FIREMEN'S LONG SERVICE (P-A.) WESTPORT, Tuesday

At the closing session of the United Fire Brigades' Association conference today gold stars for 25 Years' service were presented to the following:—M. Downing (Spit), T. A. Gilmour (Cobden) H. W. Moore (Mount Eden and Auckland), L. L. Ross (Hokitika), P. Sweetman (Cobden), and W. Thompson (Hokitika).