STATUS OF PAPATOETOE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22935, 13 January 1938, Page 17

STATUS OF PAPATOETOE

TOWN BOARD DISCUSSION QUESTION OF BOUNDARIES The view that the development and population of Papatoetoe township warranted the raising} of the district's status to that of a borough was advanced by members at the Papatoetoe Town Board meeting on Tuesday night, when the subject was raised by Mr. W. A. Cairns. He pointed out that according to indications Papatoetoe would be the only Town Board in the immediate Auckland district within the next few months. Other town districts had taken steps to raise their local body status. The chairman, Mr. W. J. Nicholson, said Papatoetoe was the second largest town board district from the viewpoint of population in the Dominion. At the last census there was a population of over 2600. He could not see any material advantage in raising the district to a borough unless an effort was made to extend the present boundaries. Under the present .system of unimproved rating it would be difficult to expand and absorb land that was used chiefly for farming purposes. Mr. Nicholson said he would prefer to see the ratepayers make a move toward annual value rating before dealing with the borough proposal. Mr. J. Franklin said he did not consider it necessary to wait for that being done. Hating was a different matter, although it would have an influence on the boundaries aspect. He suggested that the board move to form a borough and leave the question of boundaries to the ratepa3'ers and the authorities concerned.

Mr. Cairns said the development of the district demanded a higher status, which would stimulate interest in its affairs by ratepayers. The chairman said he had a liking for the system of electing town boards. "Seven members are elected and they in turn choose their chairman. I prefer that to the system of electing a Mayor who may be opposed by a council. That is not for the good of any district," he continued. After discussion it was decided to defer a decision until a full meeting of the board.