PROPOSED FRORMATION OF ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4685, 22 February 1877, Page 3

PROPOSED FRORMATION OF ANOTHER MUNICIPALITY.

A general meeting of the residents of Kensington was held in the Kensington Schoolhouse last evening. Mr Bridgman occupied the chair, and there were about 20 ratepayers present. Mr U'Ren eaid that under the present Municipal Act Kensington alone could not bo declared a municipality, the Act providing that each municipality must not have less than 2000 inhabitants, and must not have an area ex ceeding nine square miles. The present proposition was to have the Koad District declared a municipality, consisting of Kensington, South Kensington, Darley, and Caversham. This would be a distinct municipality, without any connection with the parts of the district called "The Flat." If the Caversham Koad Board District remained under the County Council they would be liable to the same taxation as the rest of the County, and although they contributed one-third of the income yet they would only have one-ninth of the representation—the Aot allowing but one member to the suburbs of Dunedin. If the Road Board continued, Kensington would be liable to be ratei by the Board and the County Council as well. And there was great danger of their rates being expended far away from tLeir district, in another portion of the County. Owing to the floods, the County Council would be going in for a large loan to carry out the works that are positively necessary, and if Kensington remained with the County they would be largely liable for that loan, though they might not get a penny of it. Mr Burns : What about the Municipal Bill ? Are we to embrace the new Act entirely ?

Mr U'Ren replied that South Dunedin and St. Kilda were already in existence under the Provincial Act. The City of Dunedin was under an Act of its own. The municipalities that were now formed must be ruled by the new Municipal Act, and the pre-existing municipalities had the option of adopting it. He did not think there would be any difficulty about the amalgamation affair. This amalgamation could only be brought about by a majority of the ratepayers in each district. If those of Kensington were save men, they could not consent to join South Dunedin and St. Kilda except under a Limited Liability Act. They could not join these municipalities except for some general scheme, such as for water, or gas, or drainage. He considered that the County Act was the finest system of log rolling that ever could be imagined. Five of the Councillors could arrange" to have the money spent wherever they chose, with an utter disregard to the general interests of the County. The Caversham Road Board had been in the habit of expending the meney in each ward in which it was raised. When members were being elected for the proposed Caversham Municipal Council, the ratepayers should pledge them to adopt a similar system. This plan has been adopted as a point of honour among the members of the Road Board. They had no law to compel them to adopt it. He suggested that Kensington should be one ward (with three members) of the proposed municipality, South Kensington and Darky one ward, and Caversham two wards.

MrBuRNS moved—" That the ratepayers of Kensington embrace the opportunity of having a municipality, and that the present Caveisham Road Board District be brought under the Municipal Act," Mr Shacklock seconded the motion, which was put and carried unanimously. COMPLIMENTARY. It was resolved—" That this meeting pass a vote of thanks to the representatives of the Road Board for their kindness in attending here this evening, and foi their past services to the district."

Mr U'Ren, in acknowledging the vote, pointed out that Kensington would make an excellent ward of the municipality, as it forms a distinct oblong square. The usual compliment having been passed to the Chairman, the meeting dispersed at an early hour.