TAURANGA COUNTY SECTION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14710, 30 June 1948, Page 2

TAURANGA COUNTY SECTION

OFFICES IN SPRING STREET Inquiry From Government Life Insurance Question Referred To Plant Committee The desire of the New Zealand Government Life Insurance Department at Tauranga to purchase, when available, a section of the area on which the Tauranga County offices now stood for the erection of a new building for the department, was communicated to the monthly meeting of the Tauranga County Council in a letter from the department.

The department, it was stated, was anxious to purchase a site in Tauranga for the erection, when building permits were available, of a modern building, part of which would be occupied by the Tauranga branch and part would be let to selected tenants.

It was explained that the council might desire, within the next few years, to demolish its present building and erect a modern building on half the present site which, it was understood, consisted of two sections. The department was prepared to consider the purchase of one section at a price authorised by the Land Sales Court.

The proposition would be subject to some satisfactory arrangements being made regarding the council’s use of the section pending its erection of new offices. In the event of the purchase being accepted, the department would co-operate with the council in its plan for rebuilding; The department added that it was thought that an arrangement could be arrived at. mutually advantageous to both the council and the department, and it would be appreciated if the proposition could be placed before the council. The County Clerk (Mr E. M. Fox) reported that another local body was interested in the area. At the present time the council possessed a depot and three acres at Courtney Road, a house and a garage in Cameron Road and the two sections in Spring Street. He expressed the view that the whole position should be examined with a view to deciding on a long-range policy as regards the council’s holdings in Tauranga. If the county continued to grow, he added, the council would, at some future date, have to find better premises. The present building was erected in 1911. It was obvious that nothing could be done in the meantime.

Cr W. I. Rushton stated that the farmers felt they had some claim on the hall at present used ns county offices. Originally, to build Coronation Hall, the Government provided a subsidy of £250 and the public also subscribed. Replying to a suggestion that the department might build a big place and rent offices to the council, Cr E. H. Western stated that it would be very foolish to become a tennant on one’s own property. The council agreed that, the nuestion be left in the hands of the Plant Committee to report back to the council. _______