WHAKATANE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Auckland Star, Volume 304, Issue 304, 23 December 1926, Page 13

WHAKATANE BOROUGH COUNCIL

*' At the meeting of the Whakatane Borough Council, the electrical engineer reported that the pole contract had been completed and all was ready for _rwitelling the wires over. The work of installing overhead lights in the Strand vras nearly completed. The foreman reported that water had been installed in the domain for the use of the fire brigade. The roadway in Merritt Street had been widened near the bowling green, the footpaths in different parts had been coated with shingle, and grass on the streets had been cut. The Mayor remarked that some members of the Harbour Board were not clear regarding the way in which the borough could deal with the proposal to make additional shop sites in the square. He said that there were two methods, one being under the Land Act, and the other under the Municipal Corporations' Act. He outlined the legal procedure, which included the advertising of the proposal and the holding of a meeting of electors. Councillor Smedley considered that it would be desirable for a committee from the council to wait on the Harbour Board and explain the scheme more fully. It was resolved that the Borough Council's committee wait on the Harbour Board at next meeting, and clear up any points on which the scheme is not fully understood. A letter from Mr. Jl. D. Knight was received in reference to a scenic reserve of 109 acres in the Maratotara Gorge. He asked if there was any possibility of the people of Whakatane being interested so as to have the bush taken over as a sceni<_ reserve. He was about to erect fencing along the road boundary, which would include the bush area. Councillor McCulloch said that Mr. Knight had asked if the council would be willing to pay for the cost of fencing if the bush area was excluded. It was resolved to ask Mr. Knight for further information regarding the conditions attached to the proposal. The Mayor said that the Department had declined to make a revaluation of the borough. He had discussed the position fully with Mr. Hockly, and it was suggested that it would be advisable to ask the Government to repeal the section of the Act whereby dissatisfied ratepayers can offer their land to the Crown at very low prices. A remit to this effect was prepared, and it was decided to forward it to the nest municipal conference.