TAURANGA AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18196, 15 September 1922, Page 5

TAURANGA AFFAIRS.

HYDROELECTRIC LICENSE. [BT TELICiAPH. —OWN COBSESPONDjSXT.] TAURANGA, Thursday. At a meeting of the borough council held last night, Sir William Herries forwarded a memorandum received by him from tlio Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Public Works, in regard to the council's request for a license to be issued authorising it to utilise the waters of the Wairoa River for the purpose of generating electricity. Mr. Coates stated that the proposal to issue a hydro-electric license has now been concurred in and- application for a v/ater-power license is in order. Sir Wi'Jiam Herries advised that an Order-in-Coancil is being prepared for submission to the Cabinet. The council appointed Messrs. Clair Mason, Lee, and Owen to inspect the site and check the estimates in connection with the proposed Wairoa electricity scheme. A letter was read from the Native Trust regarding the proposal to acquire a reserve cf 10 acres in the borough as a recreation area. He stated the land must be taken under the Publio Works Act. The basis of his claim will be on the Special Government' valuation recently made', but he has no doubt a uatisfactory arrangement between himself and the council can be arrived at on this basis and the agreement ratified by the Native Land Court, to,.whom the application for the assessment of compensation must be made. A motion was passed agreeing to the proposition suggested by the Native Trustee, and upon the price being agreed to the council undertakes to purchase, subject to the ratepayers' consenting. The secretary of the fire board wrote drawing attention to the fact that the exit doors of the Town Hall concert chamber are : not constructed in conformity with " the Act governing such matters. The question was referred to the borough architect. The Under-Secretary of the Department ot Lands advised that the council's application to purchase a portion of the racecourse domain for municipal abattoirs cannot be favourably entertained. The council decided that owners be invited to submit offers of "suitable areas for the abattoirs.