Shall we Change the Name ?

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 7, 25 June 1887, Page 2

Shall we Change the Name ?

VICTORIA Z POVERTY BAY. When the time for extraordinary bulsnesa came on last night at the Harbour Board’s meeting Mr Townley said he wished to move the following motion, or if the Board would not consider it forthwith, (to give notice of the same, via., " That in honour of Her Majesty'e Jubilee the Harbor Board change the name of Poverty Bay to Victoria Bay." In speaking to the motion, Mr Townley said that he knew that the Board eeuld not change the name by themselves; they would have to consult with the other local bodies, but be thought they ought to take the lead. He was the last man in the world to be accused ol snobbery, but no one could say a word against Her Majesty, and he thought it was high time the name was ehanged. Wherever one went outside the Bay, one wa? met with the derisive allusions to the wor "Poverty" Bay. A man who came fr< a piece with such a name was put down " a poor wretched fellow with neither mind anything else t ” Mr Dickson certainly thought the other local bodies should be consulted on the matter, As to the name of Poverty Bay beinf objectionable, he was strongly reminded 0 an old mining mate of his wno always said that directly a poor name was given to a claim, it was sure to turn out a good one, One claim they had had, with a " Poverty' name to it, and he (Mr D.) only wished ne could strike another like it, Mr Matthewson supported Mr Townley to a certain extent, but thought that Victoria was un-cuphonious and rather vague. He objected to English names, end would rather see the old Maori names adhered to. Mr Chambers argued that things went by the contrary very often. Thus Poverty Bay was really a wealthy district, whilst the so called Bay of Plenty was the poorest place in the Colony. Mr Siovewright seconded Mr Townley’s motion, but would like to see the motion amended so as to admit of the 00-operatiou of other local bodies. The Chairman also supported the motion, although he said he was quite used to the name, and fid not object to it. He thought the matt-- should be properly venf’ated, and the opinion of the public obtained. Mr Gannon also spoke in favor, and alluded to the steps taken by Mr Locke in reference to the matter. The question should certainly come before the County Council, and other local bodies. It was eventually decided that Mr Townley should bring the matter up again at the next meeting, the Clerk to write to the County and Borough Councils so as to ascertain the views of those bodies on the subject.