GREATER WELLINGTON

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11705, 18 December 1923, Page 7

GREATER WELLINGTON

A POSSIBLE EXPANSION JOHNSONVILLE DESIRES TO LINK WITH CITY. VISIT OF. INSPECTION. With the Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright), a party of councillors, accompanied by the acting-oity engineer (Mr Paterson), the director of reserves (Mr McKenzie), and the city solicitor (Mr J. O’Shea) visited Johnsonville yesterday afternoon at the invitation of the suburban Town Board. A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW. The party was met on arrival by Mr A. A. Moore (chairman of the Town Board) and Mr J. A. Esther (town clerk), and was conducted to the top of Woodland road, from which elevation a bird’s-eye view of the township was obtained. Hawtrey, and the visible boundaries of the city and Makar a were indicated, after which the visitors returned to the Town Board office. MATTERS OF FINANCE. It was explained that the population of Johnsonville (1100 at the last census) was now estimated at 1200. There were 250 houses, and calculations were made at the rate of 4f persons to the house. Besides this there was an outlying farming population passing through the township. Johnsonville was clearing off its antecedent liability in four instalments, two of which would be paid by March 31st next. To this end the rate had been raised from 7d in the £1 to BJd in the £l. The amount of the public debt was £29,800, less £SOOO sinking fund, so that the net public debt was £24,900. BOARD’S SECURITY. On March 31st, the amount of the antecedent liability would be £6OO, covered by a sinking fund. As security for the public debt the board had all the facilities of drainage, water and gas, street works, the children’s recreation ground, the Town Board office, and plant, an area of 157 acres, the second catchment area of the water supply, and a further area of 57 acres. The loans raised fell due on varying dates up to 1961. A GENERAL DESIRE.

Councillor C. H. Chapman asked whether the desire of the township to come into the city was general, and whether any public meetings had so far been held. “It is a general desire,” said Mr Moore. “We want our township to be built upon modern lines, and we feel that we can do better by joining the city.” They had not yet held a public meeting, he added, but would do so. In answer to Councillor Monteith, Mr Moore stated that they intended to call upon the city to do the reticulation work in the new electricity scheme. The fact that they were linking up with Wellington for this work was one factor in their making the present overtures to the Wellington City Council. CHAIRMAN DOES NOT DOUBT. The Government was saddling local bodies with a lot of extra work also. ' He was sure that if there was any legal impediment to their linking up with Greater Wellington a remedy would be considered by the mother body. There came a time when a small township became too expensive. He had no doubt whatever that there was a general deeire on the part of Johnsonville residents to come into the city, and that a poll of ratepayers would be in favour of sanctioning the amalgamation. He sincerely hoped that good would come of the visit. CONSIDERATION PROMISED. Mr R. A. Wright expressed the pleasure of the councillors and himself to be able to visit the township. They had, he thought gained a fine bird’seye view of the situation, and this would enable the council to form an opinion. What the mind of the council would be he felt it impossible to say until the matter was put to debate and a division taken. He would, therefore, express no opinion, but would assure them, on the council’s behalf, that they would carefully examine all sides of the situation, and not come lightly to a decision. The proposal would have very earnest consideration.

The Mayor and councillors were then entertained to afternoon tea by Mr and Mrs Moore, and returned to town.