The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1908. "GREATER WANGANUI"

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12394, 19 February 1908, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1908. "GREATER WANGANUI"

A distinct etep in advance towards the realisation of a "Greater Wanganui" was made last evening, when the Borough Council agreed to the general terms outlined hy the Mayor upon which the suburbs are to be admitted into the borough. The proposed, basis of amalgamation is that the suburbs shall pay the general rate levied in the borough, which at present is Is 9d. Out of this -ate ifl to be paid the proportionate share of the net annual amount of interest and sinking fund for the Okehu waterworks loan and a like share of the cost of the mains through the Ik -rough to the boundaries of the respective suburbs. The balance «»f the rate is to Ije expended on maintenance and c-n interest on loans raised for works within the aria where the rate is collected, after iediicting a proportionate amount tor management expenses of the borough. At the present time the water rate of the borough is about 6d, which will be reduced when the annual charge is distributed over a, larger area, so that borough Ratepayers will benefit to the extent of that reduction, as a result of amalgamation. The proposals appear to be fair and reasonable, and we have little doubt that they will be accepted by Aramoho and St. John's Hill, and that in a very short time these suburbs, together with Gonvillo and Durietown, which have already decided in favour of amalgamation, will become part and parcel of "Greater Wanganui. Jt is a matter for regret that Wanganui East is at present standing out of the combined movement, for it would be a derided advantage to all concerned if tho wholo of the suburbs could have agreed to join in the scheme of amalgamation, which no doubt will eventually include the eastern suburb. So far as the suburbs are concerned, the acceptance of the borough terms will mean an addition to their rates of about one-fourth ths amount which they it present pay in their respective districts. The rates at Aramoho, St. John's Hill, and ftonvillp are at present a penny in the pound on the capital value, equivalent to a borough rate of Is 4d in the pound on the rental value, and if for the addition of "A water and drainage can be obtained, and gas can be procured at borough rates, then there will bo little room for com plaint. It has to be explained that under these proposals the suburbs take no share in the liabilities — and consequently no share in the profits or losses — of the special loans raised in the borough for gas, opera house, swimming bathe, trams, etc. They havy the option of joining the borough and paying the borough rates — 2s 5d — , thus reaping the profits or sharing the losses that may be realised or tustained in connection, with the municipal undertakings. The basis as suggested by the Mayor and accepted by the Council, however, will probably meet with more universal favour

in the suhurl.s at present, and later on. in the Lonr-c of a lev ycare, the residents of

•Greater Wanganui" may ?cc t'r.eir May to (dnc to a genoial understanding vrhcreb? ihvy will .ill be plat-od on the same footing. Tiic only weak point in the proposals is the inability to make a legal and b;..cfmg agreement on the linrs p-,rggested. Ihore can only be an i;o>ourable underetimJing between the Council and the rep-rv-entatives of the suburban districts that the allocation decided on will be observed and this will b? minuted in the Council''nook* Wo congratulate the Council on the etep decided on last evening, and we havo little doubt the suburbs will take advantage of the benefits to be obtained from water, drainage and gas, and the realisation of a "Greater Wanganui."