RATANA'S TOWNSHIP

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 140, 18 May 1925, Page 11

RATANA'S TOWNSHIP

PERMITS INSISTED UPON. —I i DISPLAY OF RESENTMENT. Ratana township is growing very ,rapidly, and new buildings, including some pretty little bungalows, are continually' being erected. There ie now nround the Maori prophet quite a large population, and the hapu is likely to extend still more. 'Hie Rangitikei County Council, however, object to Katana’s people erecting houses without permits, and has notified Ratana accordingingly. . This ban on the erection of buildings has displeased Ratana who contends that it is an attempt to check progression, and is only pin-pricking. Ratana’s executive had made up its mind that if the County Council pursues its present policy Ratana will form a borough of his own. The new municipality will then be able to claim Government subsidies, the same as other local bodies. Hitherto they have been content to spend their o>vn money on post office buildings, etc., but under the suggested local body scheme they would be able to call upon the Government to provide a post office building, and also an up-to-date station. The executive is also at the attitude of the Rangitikei Rugby Union in trying to block some of the team from playing in the Wanganui Sub-Union’s district on account of an alleged residential disqualification. One of tho officials of the Ratana Football Club says that at Ratana they are not going to stand iuiy nonsense, and if the present pin-pricking policy is maintained there will be some sudden and interesting developments. Ho is understood to mean that the Maoris will go over to League.