2.
An mendment was moved by Wr. Ten Chin Tuon that one-quarter of the seats be reserved instead of one-third. This was seconded by Mr. Lee Chim Tuan and was put to the meeting by the Chairman, the result being four for and four against. The Chairman's costing vote negatived the amendment. One substantive motion was thus carried.
On the question of extending the Municipal boundaries, the Chairman stated that he was opposed to the inclusion of the definitely rural areas as opposed to suburban areas. One could not expect full Municipal services to be given to the rural areas. He would rather have a concentrated efficient service in a smaller area than to dilute the efficiency to serve a bigger area. He also could not see why the Municipality should take over the extra financial burden involved. Giving an example, he pointed out that the Municipal Conservancy Department alone spent over one million dollers yearly which was double the whole revenues of the Rural Board. To include the rural areas would mean colossal expenditure. He stated, however, that he was in favour of extending the boundaries where any adjoining ores definitely took on an urban character and he mentioned instances when the Municipality did take over certain areas which were urban or rapidly becoming urban in character.
Mr. Bartley who was in agreement with the Chairman stated that there were big garrisons in the distant parts of the Island which were very sparsely inhabited. In view of the smallness of the population there appeared to be no justification for the big financial commitments, which would be involved by the inclusion of these areas in the Town. Further, the health work of the Municipality was orga: sed along urban lines whereas country work was very different. The Government Health Office was organised along rural lines and its officers had their own scheme of advancement and promotion in their services. In this matter of health work, Mr. Bartley pointed out, the practical point of view was most important.
Unon the motion of Mr. Kemlo and seconded by Mr. Bartley, it was resolved that this Committee was in favour of the extension of the Municipal limits where it appeared that a given area wos or appeared likely to be susceptible of treatment as en urban area. But, because the problems of urban and rural institutions differed widely, the Committee is not in favour of extending Municipal limits to cover the whole Island, at any rate in present circumstances.
The resolution was carried nem con.
It was decided that the question of including specific areas end the fixing of the geographical limits of wards be left over till the next meeting to enable members to consider and examine for themselves the areas in view.
The following areas appeared to Mr. Mallal to be capable of inclusion in the Municipal boundaries;
(1) Siglap up to Bedok, up Bedok Road to Changi Road,
(2) Paya Lebar to Tompenis,
(3) Yeo Chu Kang Road,
4) Bukit Timah Road to Jurong Road,
5) Holland Road just post Queen Astrid Park, and
(6) Pasir Panjṛng Road.
The meeting terminated at 400 p.m.
Signed J. Laycock.
Chairmen
9th July, 1946.