COUNCIL CRITICISED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 970, 13 May 1930, Page 7

COUNCIL CRITICISED

PROPOSAL TO AMALGAMATE WITH CITY MEETING AT MOUNT ALBERT Criticism of the borough council’s expenditure and the contention that the recent adoption of rating on unimproved values had resulted in hardship for many ratepayers were points discussed when a proposal that the Mount Albert Borough should amalgamate with the City was put forward at a meeting of ratepayers in the Methodist Church Hall, Kingsland, last evening. Mr. T. Macindoe presided, and there was an attendance of about 50 people. Mr. Macindoe made it clear that he wished no attack to be made on any member of the borough council, but held that it was time for an investigation of the affairs of the borough. Mr. Macindoe criticised the rating system. Values were falling, he said, but the rates were increasing. There were many cases where the rates on property in Mount Albert were double those on similar property in the City. Tho idea behind unimproved value rating was to stop speculation. Once reasonable speculation was stopped in a growing city, progress was automatically arrested. Mr. J. H. Fray proposed the formation of a Mount Albert East Ratepayers’ and Electors’ Association, having as its objects tre care of the economic progress of the district and ultimate amalgamation with the City. Rates in the borough were steadily increasing, he said, and the council had shown no disposition for economy. OFFICERS ELECTED It was decided to form the association and officers were elected. The Mount Albert Terminus Ratepayers’ Association, it was stated, was unanimously in favour of joining the City. ~ Mr. Macindoe maintained that the system of rating in force was not suited to the district, but that, even if rv return were made to rating on capital values, it would not make a great deal of difference. Expenditure in the borough had become far too great. It was not desired to .refuse assistance to the men in need of it. but the council should not usurp the functions of a charitable aid board, as the burden of payment fell on the shoulders of those least able to pay for it. Mr. Macindoe explained that the purpose of the meeting was not to go fully into the proposal to join the City, but rather to organise an association which would investigate the matter. Support to the formation of the Ratepayers’ Association was given by Mr. A. A. Buckley, a member of the council, who urged that it was not at all necessary to join the City. “I believe the time will come when we shall have a metropolitan board supervising and co-ordinating the activities of all local bodies between Henderson and Papakura,” he said. “This will be far more practical and less cumbersome. I state definitely that the council has not wasted money. We have given employment to workless men, but at present two wards have credit balances, one of £2,000 and another of £l,lOO. As for the question of rating, the people voted in favour of the unimproved value system, and if the people do not want it, let them vote it out. The council has had to abide by the decision of the ratepayers.” Mr. Forbes also spoke against the proposal to join the City. After the meeting a number of ratepayers joined the association.