OUR CITY FATHERS.

Northland Age, Volume 6, Issue 48, 20 August 1937, Page 10

OUR CITY FATHERS.

Sir. —It is customary to ignore letters published over a “nom de plume,” but as your correspondent, “Square Deal,” has given expression to matters that appear to be topics of widespread discussion, and about which there might be much misunderstanding, a reply from one of those directly concerned might not be out of place. With regard to the proposed extensions to the Kaitaia Hotel, the inference is that the Board frames regulations and permits them to be infringed by specially privileged people who incidentally have little or no interest in the town, to the detriment of others in a similar way of business whose interests are all centred in the district. The Board debated this matter at great length, examining it from every possible angle, cognizant of the fact that the firm concerned could afford to erect a completely new and modern building. The matter of creating a precedent was well to the fore in the discussion and thei-e was no suggestion at any time of favouring Hancock and Co. The writer was at first opposed to the proposal on the grounds that this firm could well afford to erect a building commensurate with the development of the town, but after questioning the manager as to whether the firm would erect a modern hotel and receiving the information that it could not do so until the town provided up-to-date facilities for power, drainage etc., and taking into consideration the matter of acute shortage of accommodation, decided that the proposals would be in the best interests of the town. It is no disparagement of the other hotels + o state that they cater for a different type of person, and in doing so fill a great need in the community, and by all accounts fill it well. Their clients are generally people who require more or less permanent accomodation at very leasonable cost. When tourists and others, however, arriving by service car have to be taken a further journey to Waipapakauri, it is surely agreed that the position is acute. Furthermore, as one who is interested in the appearance and beautifying of the town, there was the consideration of permitting an extension of 14 feet or so in permanent material to a building, the major portion of which is erected in wood. Granted the writer is not a ratepayer in the ordinary sense, but perhaps the fact is overlooked that he is chairman of a body that pays about £24 per annum in Town Board rates, and bears a definite responsibility to that body. There is much general criticism of the Board’s doings, and a word about

that might be in seasoj*. *» not

peculiar to Kaitaia, b\». ——3 d wherever men give their service in public life, and perhaps the smaller the place the greater the criticism. The writer can contribute his share (some think more thai in that direction, but generally endeavours to be constructive, but some criticise without being prepared to do anything. The writer never ** becoming a member of the noara, and when approached a day or two before the by-election, at first declined, until it was pointed out that there was not likely to be another candidate, and that this would be a reflection on the place. All sorts of stories were current about the operations of the Board, involving “Graft” and other questionable proceedings. The writer decided, being strictly impartial, to investigate these assertions, and proceeded to do so, arriving at the conclusion that the members of the Board were actuated by a desire to serve the community to the best of their ability, only one matter appearing to be extremely regrettable, and that the transaction appertaining to the sale of the old library building. The town is at the stage of growth when it is likely to suffer from “growing pains,” but if all citizens will keep in view the greater good l of the greater number, the day will not be far distant when we shall have just cause to be proud of our town and community. Yours, etc., E. BLACKWOOD MOORE.

Sir. —The letter published in your last issue under the above heading and signed “Square Deal,” reveals a most serious state of affairs in local body administration and calls for immediate investigation on the part of property owners and others situated within the “permanent material area.” If the Board favours granting permission to a firm of wealthy brewers to build in inflammable material within the brick area, then it would also be logical for any other firm or persons to receive a similar concession.

I take it that by-laws are made in the best interests of the community as a whole and not for any one particular class or sect ; why therefore in the name of all that’s good, should the Town Board members connive in the particular case and give its promise to a wealthy syndicate that an application from that firm to erect an addition in wood to the local Ho-tel-de-ville would receive a very favourable consideration. The regulations and affairs entrusted to its care by the people are to be set aside as a “scrap of paper.” Why did not the members take a firm stand and do the right thing by upholding the by-laws ? The granting of such a permit is likely to prejudice the town from ever possessing an up-to-date and modern hotel. Some parts of the present structure, I am told, are over 40 years old. The same firm, from newspaper reports, are spending £IO,OOO on its Kaikohe building, a house more modern in appearance than the structure it is proposed

to give another patch up to in Kaitaia.

Cmr. Taaffe where he waxes wrath under the heading of “Rising Costs of Local Body Administration,” states “I have been a member of the Board since it was first formed.” Well, Jim, all I have got to say is you must have had a fist in framing the bylaws under discussion —if they are rotten, why not have them amended — if found good and just, uphold them. The Board is comprised of a J.P, a parson, a lawyer, a farmer and a merchant (the latter at present is on a tour of Europe). It is said that the lawyer was the only dissenter to the proposal. An honest lawyer discovered. We live in a new era. Yours, etc., “PERMANENT”

Dear paperman.—l reads the age paper every minute and likes all the words about the big butterfat price, bad roads and all the cheap things in Kaitaia shops. The fella who signs “squarehead” all about the laws to build the house in hard clay, he the good letter, I tink he goes to the bigg school alrite. He says town board fellas give the beerman permissun to make the house bigger and build it with bush trees. He tell me in the pages of the book all shops to be made with hard stone or mud. The cabageman he wanted the permissun yo build the hot oven with iron to kook te pie in, the board fellas no let him, he says the whare gotta be made with greenstone or brown clay. I tink the cabageman if he grows plenty hops the big trouble soon fly away. The beerman he make up the house bigger with titree poles and green flax he get the permissun al the same. Hoki come to Kaitaia to get the relief money to bye the missus the shirt and bar of soap, he sees the bighouse with BAR on the glass-wall, he walks in and says he wants to soup, the man with the white coats he fills up the glass pannykin with plenty of froth and gays drink it up. Pie golly I like it toorite, and bys some more forth, then my head he turn dog on me, I forgets all about te missus and no shirt, when my nut thinks again I wakes up on te hard floor and sees the window with iron sticks on, the bobbie calf come in and take me to the police house, I sees the city fella high up on the high box and he says did you have a good night and tells the policeman to collect ten bob and costs. This man he tells the beerman to make his whare bigger to hold more froth. I think these city feathers al-the-same Mickey the Mouse. Yours as ever, HOKI PAI.

PROVINCIAL STATUS Whangaroa’s Unanimous Support Unanimous support for the granting of provincial status for the North was given at Monday’s meeting of the Whangaroa Hospital Board. All of the eight resolutions, as previously published, were adopted. Members particularly favoured the name of Northland. The Whangaroa County Council also adopted the eight resolutions.

Tell Advertisers you saw it in the “Northland Age.”