WOOLSTON TAKES STEPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16470, 5 July 1921, Page 8

WOOLSTON TAKES STEPS.

PROPOSAL TO JOIN CITY. POLL TO BE TAKEN. A poll regarding amalgamation of th° Woolston boron"h with the citv of Christchurch was decided upon by the Woolston Borough Council at a special meetinor last niodit. The date of the poll is to be fixed after the resolution has been advertised and confirmed. Some councillors Abdicated that they desired delay until 1922. Councillor T. Owen moved pursuant to a notice of motion—“ That a special order be made providing that a poll of electors of the borough be taken on the question that the borough of Woolston be united with the city of Christchurch.’’ It had been stated in the dailv newspapers, said Councillor Owen, that the mover of the motion was not a ratepayer. “ I would like the correspondent, who is present, to defend that. Though not a ratepayer of the borough, 1 have just as much ir teres- in it as a ratepayer. The health of the com muni tv is just as important to r e as to a ratepayer.” The rates were taken into consideration When rent was fixed. He thought the remarks were unjustified. He especially asked councillors to eliminate personalitv in considering the matter, and look at it from a broad point of view.

Councillor W. M 'Connell seconded the motion, and spoke of the advantages to be derived from amalgamation with Christchurch. The citv rate had been 3 2-od in the wound inclusive of street lighting. Fire Board and reserves. Woolston*a rate was 3?d plus street lmhiino-. Fire Board and reserves. During the last financial year ratepayers Would hove saved £37Bi bv beiim under the Citv Council rate. Woolston*s public works rate was 11s od. and the citv public works rate was onlv “ I was laughed at for stating that we were bankrupt.” said Councils lor M'Connell. “ Our assets are £ lO 900 and liabilities £2300. with a public debt of £2B 417.” If thev sold their assets that day, what would tliev get? Would it not be better to put **soo in to reduce the city overdraft than bo have an overdraft of £I3OO or £1 400?

Councillor D. M’Rae said he was the councillor taken to task. He s J ated in his letter to the newspaper that the mover was not a ratepayer—neither he was. He belonged to an organisation which held that the first step towards capitalism was ownership by a man of his house—which explained why he was not paying rates that day. tie had it on good authority that nobody in tile city or Smreydon could get electricity at present. Those who hod got on had to sign a paper. ** Sixpence per unit.” Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., had said that Woolston would. receive better administration .and supervision as the result of joining the city. “ That I take as a gross insult to our councillors and staff,” he said. He was not against Greater Christchurch. The main objection to it was that at present they could not see clearly what they w<*rs going to contract themselves int*>. He was strongly in favour of a metropo) tan board of works. There wore far too many local bodies at the present time. Christchurch had taken Woolston “on the hop.” He was not for going in sooner than six months hence. There was a tendency for the citv to promise much more than they would give. He moved as an amendment —“ That a poll be taken in January, 1922.” Councillor L. Hart seconded the amendment. He said that Woolston, if the amalgamation poll was carried forthwith, would walk into Christchurch absolutely blindfolded. The city rates had not yet been declared, and the city had an overdraft which they must reduce. •» oolston had to have a proper sanitation system. Who was going to pay for it? "Woolston would have to pay for whatever reforms it got, whether in Greater Christchurch or not. They should go into Greater Christchurch with a lever which would enable them to get what they wanted. Everything that Greater Christchurch vould give Woolston would have to pay or. Woolston was a working men’s lorough. There was probably no oorough in New Zealand where working men owned their homes to such an extent. The borough would be made the dumping-ground for the rest of Christchurch. The council had the power to resist the establishment of noxious trades there IF they went into Christchurch tlio.. would lose that power. The people of Woolston should have, an opportunity of knowing what they were going to pay under Greater Christchurch. Then, and then only, tlie vote should be taken. Councillor D. Rowse said he had always been an advocate of Greatei Christchurch, on the score of efficiency. The whole thing resolved itself into the proposition, “ If you want the better article you will have to pay.” If thev as a working community could not pay, then they should not go in. He personally was prepared to pay. Mr M’Conneil had said that Woolston’s £IOOO loan for improvements would be obviated, but if they went into the city they would likewise have to pay for the improvements. There was a possibility that Woolsto-n would not get representation on tlie City Council. The greatest advantage that Woolston would get would be a roller, and possibly high pressure water, and tlie latter would not be Huch a great advantage ar they had plenty of water in the borough. Ho was not certain whether to support the motion or the amendment He had come with an open mind, and had to be convinced of the great advantages which it was asserted. Woolston would gain from amalgamation. Councillor J. Townsend saio n« was personally opposed to amalgamation, but considered the people should have the right of deciding the matter for themselves. So far as Woolston s representation was concerned, ho thought that at a by-election the Citizens Association could swamp Woolston. Councillor \\ . R. Blazey said he thought the matter should not be dealt with hurriedly. Le them see what the city intended to do regarding rates. Sooner or later Woolston would go into Greater Christchurch, but before the poll wa s held the matter should be thoroughly thrashed out. When the people had their minds clear, let them vote Wellington had got into such an awful mess with their Greater Wellington that they did not know what was going to happen. When all was said arm done, he did not see how Christchurch was fjoing to improve on Woolston’s sanitation scheme.. Chnstehurch could not do it under 255; Woolston would do it for less. If the people of Woolston wanted to go in, however, let them go in. They must get ns level-headed a vote as possible, and ho thought they -should take time to consider" the matter. Councillor Owen said he was sorry ho had had a repetition of last Monday’s discussion. He cut down his speech because he thought •' it unnecessary to speak again at great length. All the speakers ignored the fact that Christchurch was the twon they belonged to and looked forward to. They should push the city forward as much as possible. He was looking at the ideal of the thing, not what they were going to pay or get. The greater Christchurch was, the greater the efficiency. They t must discuss the matter on broader ; lines, and not on petty considerations., j He had just as much interest in the j rates as any councillor round the table. | It was impossible for the city to go | higher than 44d in rating. It stood to i reason that a city like Christchurch could carry out improvements cheaper j and better than a borough could. Little 1 boroughs around Christchurch com- | peted for materials, and forced up the price. The Woolston overdraft was,

say, £2OOO. That was lar«ye comparing the capital value of the borough and the capital value of Christchurch. Concerning representation if Woolston amalgamated, the Act provided that Woolston should have three councillors on the City Council for eighteen months. Was that not a good start ? He thought it a bad proposition to wait. Councillor Rowse asked if as the result of party voting Woolston might lose its direct representation. Councillor Oyen said that Woolston should be prepared to run that risk. He considered that there, were men on the City Council as well '■qualified to represent Spreydon as Spreydon residents. They should go in not as a ward, but without qualifications. Councillor Townsend moved, as a further amendment, that the Greater Christchurch scheme, if carried, should come into operation when the term of the present council expired. He was informed that his motion was out of order, by reason of the provisions of the Act. Th© motion was carried. It was stated that when it came to be confirmed the date of the poll could be fixed, and Councillor Mcßae’s amendment was therefore unnecessary. There were present at the meeting— The Mayor (Mr G. E. White), Councillors D. M’Rae, W. M’Connell. T. Owen, J. Townsend, W .J. Knight, D. Rowse, W. R. Rbtzey and D. Hart.