EXCLUSION FROM BOROUGH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18335, 27 February 1923, Page 8

EXCLUSION FROM BOROUGH.

WHAKATANE PETITION. SITTING OF COMMISSION. 71 '£. petition by certain ratepayers in Whakatane borough for the exclusion of 216 acres of land west of Hmemoa Street from the borough, was heard at Whakatane last week by a commission, comprising Mr. W. Q. Kenrick, S.M., Mr. H. M. Skeet, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and Mr. E. R. Meredith, district valuer, Mr. El G. Sellar (instructed by Mr. E. Armstrong) appeared for the petitioners, Mr. L. Buddie for the Borough; Council, and Mr. D. C. Chalmers for the Whakatane County Council. Mr. Sellar said the borough was formed in 1817,' its area was about 1460 acres, and its population 1700 . people, averaging nearly an acre per head of the people. There were in the borough 500 vacant sections, and 300 acres available for building purposes, which would; meet the borough's requirements for many years to come. The area which the, petitioners sought to exclude, comprising 216 acres, would not be necessary for the expansion of the borough for the next twenty years. . _ . , The Borough Council had borrowed and spent during the last five years about £117,000 and little or nothing of this had been spent on the area sought to be excluded. The petitioners therefore were of opinion that they would avoid further liability by being transferred to the county, where they considered they would ; have a fair prospect , of • getting a reduction in rates. Mr. Sellar pointed out that it was impossible for them to pay rates on farming lands valued v on borough valuations. > ~' : k . Evidence was given in support of the petition by a number of the owners and residents in the area who sought to be excluded. Th* Borough Council and the county council both opposed the exclusion, and considerable evidence was called by Mr. Buddie against the petition, including the Mayor,' the town clerk, and various other officials. . The commission will make its report to the Governor-General.