TO AMALGAMATE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 57, Issue 3982, 16 April 1948, Page 10

TO AMALGAMATE

WHANGAMATA BODIES

LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

QUESTION UNDER DISCUSSION

(By T. E. McMiiian, of Matamata, at the request of the Whangamata Ratepayers’ Association)

There are two local organisations at Whangamata, the Settlers’ Association and the Ratepayers’ Association, and it is desired that both should amalgamate into the one body. In bringing the matter forward, Mr P. R. Hawke recalled that recently Captain P. Williamson had made an appeal for cooperation locally. In response to that appeal, the speaker urged that there should be an amalgamation under the title of Whangamata Progressive Association.

The Settlers’ Association was the older body, having been in existence for twenty years, and had done much pioneering work for the district. Latterly, however, many new pro-perty-owners had arrived, interested more particularly in the development of the place as a seaside resort. But the existence of two bodies was likely to defeat the aims and objects of both, since it was quite likely that, in the absence of a unified voice, one body might be advocating one thing and the other something different, thus leaving an opening for local bodies and State departments to point out that there were divergent aims, and use that as an excuse for doing nothing.

Progress of Settlement

Owing to the rapid growth of settlement along the seashore and the large number of sections sold and awaiting buildings to be erected as soon as materials became available, there were roading, sanitation, and other problems arising, all of which made it highly desirable that there should be a single organisation to deal with the lot. The upshot was that Messrs D. Ensor and Hawke were deputed to meet Captain Williamson and Mr Phillips (proprietor of the motor camp) to discuss the question of amalgamation. This meeting took place a few days ilater, when it was decided to prepare a joint statement to put before a combined meeting of members of both bodies, with a view to having the proposed amalgamation effected. Future Of Area There seems little doubt that the desired unity will be achieved, and it appears also likely that it even then will be but the forerunner to the formation of a town board once the shortage of building materials is overcome, thus permitting hundreds who want to build there to get their structures erected. Certainly, the existence of two local organisations as at present is anomalous. People are put in the invidious position of having to decide, in order to exercise public-spirited activities, which of the two organisations they will join. That should not be the case, and when there is one body only, then its membership will almost certainly be far in excess of the combined membership of the present two associations. Given unity, drive, and intelligent direction, then there is a considerable future ahead of Whangamata.