BOUNDARY COMMISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 50, 28 February 1923, Page 9

BOUNDARY COMMISSION.

PETITION FOR EXCLUSION. Mr. W. G. Kenrick, S.M., Mr. H. M. Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and Mr. E.- R. Meredith, District Valuer, sat at Whakatane on Thursday and Friday of last week t.> hear a petition under the Municipal Corporations Act by certain ratepayers in Whakatane borough for the exclusion of 210 acresituated west of Hinemoa Street from the borough.

Mr. R. G. Scllar, instructed by Mr. E. Armstrong, appeared for the petitioners, Mr. L. Buddie for the Whakatane Borough Council, and Mr. D. C. Chalmers for the Whakatane County Council. Mr. Sellar said the area which the petitioners Fought to exclude, comprising 2|o acres, would not be necessary for the expansion of the borough for the next twenty years, and they were of opinion that they would avoid further liability by being transferred to the county, where they considered they would have a fair prospect of getting a reduction in rates. It was Impossible for them to pay rates on farming lands valued on borough valuations. Evidence was given in support of the petition by a number of the owners and residents in the. area who sought to be excluded. TT_B borough council and the county council both opposed the exclusion, and evidence was called by Mr. Buddie against the petition, including that of the Mayor, the Town Clerk, and various other officials.

The Commission, after hearing evidence, reserved its decision to make its report to the Governor-General in terms of the Municipal Corporations Act.