ROTORUA'S FUTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24969, 11 August 1944, Page 7

ROTORUA'S FUTURE

PLANNING PKOPOSALS| MAYOR'S EXPECTATION'S ' (O.C.i KO'i'OKUA, | An assurance by the Director nfflV/wnf Planning, Mr J. W. Mawson, thafcHlnerel would lie no attempt by the Govenlmt'nty to override the town planning policy <f Ihe borough, unless it could be shfiufn to he not in the national interest, .i<ad been received by borough councillors! and himself with satisfaction, sUatetflfthe Mayor of Hotorua, Mr P. A. Kikalis, today. The wide powers conferred on (local bodies in bringing a. town plan) into lioiug could be invoked, he beloved, without bringing the municiped ilv into opposition with any public, orl private interests, said Mr Kusabs, but/ there were several matters which hvoulfl require to be decided before the council, could embark on any campaign wifthi confidence. Public Utilities Rotorua was still a quasi-national concern, in that its winter and power utilities, as well as the lyit.hs and transport, were under Government control. It, was obvious that whatever plans the borough authority might prepare would, under present conditions be subject to J review in some important aspects. Proposals Jiad been made to the Government for the borough to take over responsibility tor water and all sewerage services, the plant to be at. valuation, and for the power'supply* to be pluted under a board of elected! members- In this way there would he a| simplification <it the control of utilities! thai: waa* desirable from the ratepayers'' point offview and necessary ioriHiiv progressive plan that obtained popular endorsement. The council would continue To' press ttiKHe questions while ihe delailskil t.he future ftotorua were being worked* out.

Conditions of Maoris Mr Kvi*abs said lie agreed entirely with .Ur Mawson's declaration thai something would liave to be to improve* liviug conditions at the native villages, winch would also he asked to hear a larger proportion of levied rates than in theymst few years. The council would be bound.to coasult other bodies'**) well as the Town Planning Board, hut such consultation, of course, connoted financial as well as aesthetic co-operation. Whether the responsibility for jnauagenient and maintenance might remain with the council, was undertaken by the projected regional ooiniriifctee or placed under departmental control, the buses of contribution.' would have to be harmoniously adju.wfedfif the town was to prepare any projects with enthusiasm and confidence. It was plain, therefore, that many of the town's plaus would have to be pursued tentatively, but that did not mean there would be any lack of enterprise and vigour in pressing on with the development and conservation of its unique amenities. MOTORISTS' INTERESTS NORTH ISLAND UNION WARTIME RESTRICTIONS (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Thursday Aii increase in membership of 1-112 011 the 1943 figures, in spite of the restrictions on motoring, was shown in the report of the president of the North Island Motor L'nion-, Mr A. Gravsou, which was presented at the annual meeting in Wellington today. For the year ended June 30 last, the membership was 68,243, compared with 66.831 for the previous year. In the period under review, the Auckland Automobile Association's membership was 35,212. compared with 34,755 in the previous vear.

There appeared to be safe grounds for the view 1 hat the end of the war, in Kurope at least, could not be very far distant, said Mr Grayson. In anticipation of the cessation of hostilities, it was opportune for the union, in consultation with the South Island Motor Union, to decide how soon and to what extent the present restrictions on motoring should be relaxed or abolished. The union should prepare its case for presentation to the authorities immediately the time seemed opportune. "As the danger from the war receded further from these shores, the Government decided to extend the compulsory insurance under the War Damage Act, 1941, to include damage caused by earthquake," said Mr Grayson. "The huge sum of between £4,000.000 and £5.000,000 has been collected during the past two and a-half years, and practically nothing has been paid out of the fund for- war damage claims. The combined efforts of both motor unions have failed to induce the Government to eliminate motor vehicles from the Act."

To assist, in tlie apprehension of car thieves and other law breakers, the union had made a request to the Minister in charge of the Police Department to have all police cars equipped wiih two-way radio, said Mr Grayson. In other countries, it had proved effective in the detection of crime, and it was hoped that the New Zealand authorities would agree with the proposal. MEN FOR SENTENCE

REFORMATIVE DETENTION Three prisoners appeared before Mr Justice Callan yesterday for sentence for sexual offences. Mr Cleal represented the Crown. Ou behalf of Cyril Horatio Jalfon. aged A3, who had been found guilty ot indecently assaulting a girl eight years of age, Mr J?. S. Burt pleaded that prisoner had been under the influence of drink and referred to his service of over three years in the Middle East. His Honor told prisoner that he had been extremely well served by his counsel, and he order.Hl prisoner to be detained for reformative purposes for I'J mouths. Having admitted carnal knowledge of a girl aged J5 vears and 7 months, Harry Hakai. aged 28 (Mr \V. W King), was admit led to probation for three years. Two charges of indecently assaulting a girl 16 years of age had been admifled by Thomas Edward Donaldson, aged 411 (Mr Sullivan). Counsel subin it-ted that the offence was a purely technical one, and it was against his advice that prisoner had pleaded guilty. Evidence of prisoner's excellent character was given by the Rev. Jasper Calder. Stating that it was a very peculiar and difficult ease. His Honor remanded prisoner until Monday morning for a report from the probation officer. USE OF PARNELL AREA Arising from a recent petition to the City Council objecting to the use of an area between Gladstone Road and St. George's Bay Road, Parnell, for industrial purposes, the council last night decided to enter into .negotiations with the firm owning the land with the object of acquiring it as a reserve. The council adopted restrictions and conditions governing the firm's future use of adjacent land as recommended by the city engineer, Mr A. Dickson.