Mulgoa Municipality & Nepean Shire Amalgamation

 

Transcript from the Nepean Times 27 December 1912 Page 8

Their amalgamation

In August last a petition from a very large proportion of the ratepayers of the municipality of Mulgoa was presented to the minister for public works, praying for the inclusion of the municipality with the Nepean shire. After a good deal of opposition and every dodge tried to block the matter proceeding to a finality by a small few for obviously personal interests, the prescribed notice appeared in the ‘Nepean Times’ of the 25th November last, giving thirty days notice, and as there was no objections lodged with the minister, he authorized an enquiry to be held (as prescribed in ordinance no.17, sec, 7), which was held in due course by Mr. commissioner Jones, at the council chambers, Bringelly, and the temperance hall Luddenham. Evidence was given by ratepayers of both the shire and municipality, for and against, but as the predominance of evidence was in favor of the inclusion, the commissioners report was altogether favorable in the respect. Since the enquiry the necessary conference between the councils took place at the town hall, Mulgoa, on Wednesday, the 12th June, in accordance with the local government act and ordinance no.17, sections.8 and 9. At the conference the shire was represented by the president (Cr Nott), Crs Adams and Barker (Cr Scott, Brown and Longley were conspicuous by their absence), and the municipality by the mayor (Ald Baynes), Ald Blaikie, Fowler, Booth and Bray. The mayor of Mulgoa submitted the following financial statement to the conference, viz;

In doing so the mayor pointed out that he had not included the balance to credit at the commercial bank, which was over £70, this being held for contingencies until amalgamation. He also pointed out that in 1901 the municipality purchased from the executors of the late Mr. H .G. Cox the town hall premises, furniture, etc for the sum of £300–£30 payable on signing the agreement and the balance of £30 annual moities, payable in may each year, free of interest. These repayments have always been regularly met on due date, the final payment is not due until may 1913, when the hall is free. He further points out that in placing the valuation of the town hall premises furniture, etc at such a low figure (£400) he ventured to say that if it was placed on the market at the present time it would readily realise £600 therefore, taking the statement as it was, it must be admitted that a very satisfactory state of affairs existed. After some little discussion, it was finally agreed by the councilors of the shire to accept the inclusion and take over the assets and liabilities of the municipality, and also powers obtained under sec 109 of the act. The solicitors of both the shire (Mr. Warren) and the municipality (Mr. T K Waldron) being present, they were instructed to prepare the necessary agreement for the signature, and submit the draft for the minister’s approval. This has been done, and the agreement signed by both parties and the seal of the council attached. It is hoped that it will not be long now when the proclamation will issue reconstituting the areas.

In conclusion it is worth nothing although Crs Scott, Brown and Longley were opposed and held indignation meeting against the proposed inclusion, they were very conspicuous by their absence at the conference and at a subsequent meeting of the shire council when the agreement was submitted for ratification and the seal thereto they voted against it and fought the matter to finish. Why didn’t they attend the conference and oppose it there? There is no doubt that this amalgamation will benefit the ratepayer both in the shire and municipality and it’s a pity that many others especially small municipality do not follow suit.