GREATER CHRISTCHURCH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1624, 29 April 1919, Page 6

GREATER CHRISTCHURCH.

A question that is receiving scant attention from municipal candidates is that of enlarging the boundaries of the city by the absorption of contiguous boroughs. In the city, the contest appears to be turning on [ extraneous issues such as the canal, but in Riccarton there is some evidence of interest in the Greater Christchurch idea, and a "ticket" is soliciting support with a view to amalgamating the borough With the city. The position is that the resi- | dents have already, voted/or incorporation with the city, but owing to a technicality it was impossible to give effect to the decisionr That difficulty has since been removed, and if the residents of Riccarton still wish it, they can now join up with Christchurch. There is a good deal to be said in favour of this course. The overhead charges of running a small borough are invariably large in proportion to the benefits received, and as a ward of the city Riccarton would get all the services it enjoys at present at a smaller cost. It is a pity that the old council had not recognised this more fully, as its members have done good work, and it is unfortunate that it should be necessary to pass a vote of want of confidence in some of them in order to affirm the principle of amalgamation. Still, the latter is undoubtedly desirable, and the electors can best bring it about by voting for the amalgamation "ticket."