WHANGAREI DISTRICT COURT

Northern Advocate, 7 May 1930, Page 3

WHANGAREI DISTRICT COURT

SHOULD BOROUGH CONTRIBUTE CO UNC'ILLOR QUESTIONS RESULTS. A deputation from the A. an d P. Society waited upon the Borough Council <m Monday evening seeking ;i contribution towards tlio expenses of ;i Whangarei district court at the Auckland Winter Exhibition. Mr C. V. Stringer said that, six years had elapsed since a. similar request had been made. He contended that a district court at the Auckland Winter Show was one of the best mediums of attractively advertising what the district was capable of producing. Even in Auckland many looked upon the North as "the poor North,” and it. was with the object of dissipating such a fallacy that courts wore supported. "Tiro North is coining into its own,” added Mr Stringer, "but not as quickly as some of us would like. Whangarei, which is the centre of one of the best A. and P. Societies in the country, stands to benefit even more than the district, in its possibilities becoming known,” The speaker said that previously local bodies-had been very generous and the borough had contributed £2o, A surplus from ! the working of the court had been invested and a donation of similar magnitude was not asked for.

Mr F. 0. Barge said it would bo difficult to iind a. district which offered us much scope for development- as Whangaroi. To bring development it was necessary to advertise the possibilities and a very fine display coud be arranged at the Dominion’s largest exhibition'.

In view of the immense profit resulting from the Winter Exhibitions in Auckland, Cr, Brake wanted to know Jiow much the Auckland authorities contributed towards the cost of the courts. Mr Stringer said that Auckland had contributed £SO towards the cost. When Whangarei last.participated£ls7 had been spent, but lie considered that this had not been sufficient to dd justice to what, the disrrict could produce. Cr. Brake asked what result had accrued from the last court. What new settlers had been introduced into the district by the expenditure of the money?

Mr Barge said that such questions were difficult to answer, but advertising must attract people.

The deputation then withdrew, and in general business the matter was discussed at length.

Cr. Tibbits said that any contribution would have to come out of unauthorised expenditure and pointed out that in view of the probable visit of the Governor-General this would be fully taxed. To test the feeling he moved that the donation towards the court be £5. Cr. Pickrnere seconded. In answer to an inquiry from Cr. Holmes, the Mayor said that, he had met .the chairmen of other local bodies in conference regarding the' allocation of unauthorised expenditure, when it was decided that all should act in collusion such matters. Cr. Holmes then moved as an amendment that the Mayor bo asked to confer with other local, bodies’ representatives and make a recoinmen ; dation to the council as to how much should be contributed towards the court. Cr. Gardner seconded.

Cr. Brainsby considered that that if the borough contributed at all it should bo an adequate amount. A donation of' £5 would make the council appear ridiculous. The question, to bo decided was whether the courts increased trade by encouraging settlement, or by attyacting businessmen to divide what meagre trade existed. He considered that, ther was no better way of making the potentialities of the district known than by supporting such' courts, and in this connection referred to the exhibition at the last show which drew the attention of the whole North Island to what the Rotorua district could produce. The encouragement of a wholesome regard for the district could not but encourage settlement. He considered that rt the request for borough support had been framed in a different manner it would have been possible to contribute irrespective of unauthorised expenditure, as it was allowable by Statute to spend rates on advertising the town.

(V. Ti bints said he liad only moved his motion in order to have an •opportunity of explaining* the position, in regard to the unauthorised expenditure fund, and was given permission to withdraw it.

Cr. Brake then moved that the Borough Council reply regretting that it found itself unable to contribute. He remarked upon the fact that he, when Mayor, with Die chairman of the County Council, had advertised for land suitable for purchase by the Crown and subdivision for settlement. Of all the replies received the Government had only found one suitable for the purpose at the prices asked. Cr Brake contended that exhibition in courts was no use from the point of view of practical farming, it was possible ro force growth in sawdust provided attention and climate were suitable.

Cr. Curtis was sure that a great deal of Land awaited settlement’ in the Xorth provided it was prnperlv known and’ marketed. It was lh° duty of northern people to show what '.heir territory was capable of producing.

The amendment was only supported by Crs. Brake and Tibbits, and the morion, that the Mayor meet the representatives of other local bodies, was carried.