THE BOROUGH

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 75, Issue 6406, 8 August 1947, Page 5

THE BOROUGH

FUTURE REQUIREMENTS MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS DISCUSSED AT PUBLIC MEETING ? jffhe future requirements of Te Awamutu were discussed at length at a meeting held in the Borough Council chambers on Wednesday night and convened by the junior and senior Chambers of Commerce and the Rotary Club. Those present were: Mrs Onion. Dr Roberton, Messrs E. Fried, A. R. Hill, S. A- Empson, J. E. Hammond. G. E. Warburton, W. Mackenzie. W. Mathews,. V. Reid, L. SArmstrong, D. Edhouse, -V. A. De Coek, R. C. Judd, T. Neylon, LMather, A. Hughes, R. F. Armstrong, J. Bundle, F. Miller, A. Boyt, H. P. Ensor, G. Fayne, W. Sinnott, H. Babbage, F. Shearer, T. Coupland, G. DShepherd, J. H. Ansell, T. B. O’Leary, Hannah. B. Dill, L. A- Truscott, W. J. Craik, K. S. Kelly, J. A. Wilson, F. Higham, R. Grace, Hooper, Pollard- Apologies were received from Messrs A. G. Warburton, L. A. Johnston. G. A. Gibbs, S. H. Wanklyn, W. S- Woodward, A. J. Tailby, L. W’. Spence. P. Southernwood. Mr Craik (president of the Chamber of Commerce) in openeing the meeting, said it was called by the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club and the Senior Chamber of Commerce, and it had no political significance whatever. It was felt necessary to get the townspeople together and to formulate a scheme. Te Awamutu had grown at a tremendous rate. Although they had a productive area of country it had never been truly productive, and that point should be stressed. The slump had affected productivity and they had not been able to sub-divide or buy the better class of stock. The country surrounding Te Awamutu had started to recover but there was a lot of leeway to make up. During the war there was a shortage of labour and there had been a lack of supervision. There had been an improvement which resulted in a higher standard of herds and all those points were not irrevelant for they affected the development and future of the townThere was a population of 3008, with the latest estimates showing 3400 people. Those figures did not include areas immediately outside the Borough, and those factors made the convenors feel that such a meeting as called for that night was necessary. It was felt that the next few years would be the history of the town which was ready to burst and grow to an amazing extent. The number of buildings had grown and the town must go ajiead, but planning was necessary, and the time had arrived to start the plan. Many reckoned Te Awamutu to be a good town and those within it good chaps, but they had had plenty of talk and now was the time for action. The Mayor and councillors had done some good work, but the town was for all to improve, and citizens should be energetic in doing so. They had no comment to make on councils past or present. They should try and find out who was standing and the meeting should arrange for suggestions. They should try to bring out the best so far as the future Borough Council was concerned, and it was felt that now was the time to act. Mr Craik at this stage asked that a chairman be elected and it was the unanimous wish of the meeting that Mr Craik should continue to act as chairman. The chairman said the first thing to do was to discuss matters. It was gratifying to see such a large attendance.

Mr W. Mackenzie asked the chairman if he was joking when he made that remark, and on Mr Craik saying that he was not joking, Mr Mackenzie said he expected that they would have to take the Town Hall. Mr W. O. Sinnott brought up the question of the sub-division of certain areas that were held in the town and that were needed for the erection of buildings. Mr D. J. Edhouse favoured a proper publicity campaign. At the last election 40% of the electors voted, while only 10% of the ratepayers voted on the £40,000 sewerage improvement loan. That apathy should be got rid of. They should give future Borough Councils a bigger job than they had had in the past. There were greater wants to-day than in the past, and in the last 18 months they had seen many organisations growing up almost over night. The chairman said they should consider a publicity campaignMr Neylon said that streets and roads were urgently needed if the town was to be planned. The conditions outside his gate were as bad as when the bullocks were here. Dr Roberton said they should consider the question of rating methods, and it was for the ratepayer to say if he would pay more rates to get things done. Mr Ansell asked if they were getting the best method of representation. He suggested that the ward system should be considered. The chairman said the elections had not been mentioned. Mr Hughes asked if it was intended to form a committee who would go into the question of candidates for the Borough Council. The removal of the saleyards from their present position had been suggested inree years ago and nothing had yet been done. The Borough Council apparently-

looked on the saleyards as a source ' of revenue. The time had arrived when the saleyards should be shiftedThey were neither healthy or sanitary. In the southern part of the borough they had conditions that were insanitary due to the saleyards being where they were. A plan could only be furthered by setting up a committee. Everything depended on the finances of the Borough, and if they 7 wanted progress they must be prepared to pay for it. The chairman said that in getting suggestions they were getting material for a further meeting. Mr Babbage said he would like to see a town planning scheme evolved. Mr Hughes favoured making available areas of land for recreational purposes. The present state of affairs was due to the lack of planning by past Borough Councils. The only areas suitable were now owned by private people who should be approached with a view to enquiry as to the future use of the land. The town was being held back by people who had no progressive outlook whatever. Mr Sinnott favoured the various

plans being discussed and they could then be put forward to the Borough Council.

Mr De Coek said he would hate to think that the plans of the town would be settled at that meeting. At i this stage Mr De Coek was called to the telephone. Mr Ensor said he entirely agreed with Mr De Coek. It would be entirely presumptions for a small body such as was present to bring forward a policy for the Borough Council. Mr Sinnott objected to Mr Ensor’s remarks. They were not laying down a policy for the Borough Council. Mr Coupland said that before making any decisions they should invite written ideas from those not present, so that they*could be tabled. Everyone would thus have an opportunity to bring forward their ideas. The chairman said that they had not attended the meeting to settle the borough affairs, but it was felt that the town’s future justified the meeting being held. They would undoubtedly have to set up a sub-committee. Mr De Coek, who returned to the meeting at that stage, said he had listened appreciatively to the suggestions. Those present should not conclude that previous Borough Councils had not discussed those suggestions, some of which were new’. The bringing about of them, however, was a different thing and if further amen-, ities were wanted they would have to pay for them. He did not think that the ratepayers would re-act favourably to schemes that would result in an increase in rates. He was pleased to see so many present and it angered well for future interest. The Hamilton Junior Chamber of Commerce had arranged for a panel of its members to be present at the meetings of the Hamilton City CouncilWhile the meetings of the local Borough Council were sometimes long drawn out, attendance by the public would make them realise that the Borough Council was always up against the question of £. s. d. It was obvious that safe travel had to be provided from outside the district to the town area. Auckland had somewhat similar difficulties. The various suggestions should be sifted and time would be helpful to the Borough Council. After the elections the council were left to their resources, and it was difficult to get opinions. Mr De Coek referred to A. Growler’s contribution to the Courier, whose opinions, whether right or wrong, were helpful as were letters to the Editor. If an association was formed that night it would be helpful if it continued after the elections. Mr Edhouse endorsed Mr De Coek’s remarks and the speaker went on to refer to the need for an improved water supply and he dealt at length with various aspects of that subject. Mr De Coek said that a comprehensive report on the water supply would shortly be placed before the Council.

Mr Neylon said that the ratepayers would not pay for something that they did not get. He did not think that a rise in the rates would be objected to if they got something for it. Not a load of metal had been placed on his street for sixteen years. Mrs Onion when asked if she had any suggestions said she would like a good footpath. She had been paying rates for years and had only got a sanded footpath. Mr Mackenzie referred to the great growth of blackberries in College Street. Some were growing across the street and property owners should be made to keep them clear. Mr L- S. Armstrong said that last week a magnetic pick-up machine for picking up nails etc., had been in Te Awamutu, but its services were not utilised because the Mayor had said that such was not wanted. He (the Mayor) had said that the cost, £l5, could be placed to better advantage. The Te Awamutu Borough Council was the only one in New Zealand that had not utilised the services of that machine which was privately owned. The speaker considered that the meeting should bring pressure to bear on the Council to see that the services of the machine be utilised. Mr Reid favoured the question of the library being placed on the agenda. They had an excellent library but it had received no publicity. Few, if any, knew how the committee was elected. Mr Ensor favoured the flushing of the main street with water jf sufficient water was available. It was swept but a lot of rubbish was allowed to accumulate. He thought that arrangements should be made with the Fire Brigade to hose down the street. Mr L. S. Armstrong said the question of hosing the streets had been dealt with. He would like to see water running down the channels of the streets but that would take a lot of water. The Borough Council had hosed the streets on one occasion but a frost developed overnight and there had been accidents. Mr Ensor said the matter he had raised was a most important one. It was impossible to create a favourable impression of the town with dirty streets.

Mr R. F- Armstrong moved that the meeting urge in the Council that the magnetic pick up system as outlined by Mr L. S. Armstrong, be used in Te Awamutu at a cost of £l5. Mr L. S. Armstrong seconded the motion. The chairman said that he just wondered if at that juncture they were doing the right thing in criticising the Borough Council. Mr Fayne said that if the motion went through as a recommendation to the Council the (other suggestions should be treated similarly. Mr R- F. Armstrong said he moved as he did because the matter was one of urgency. Mr L. S. Armstrong said that the machine would not be back for another three years. Mr De Coek pointed out that the Council met in a fortnight’s time. Mr L. S. Armstrong pointed out that the Works Committee met on the following day, but Mr De Coek said they would not commit the Council. Mr De Cc-?k said it was not dignified for the meeting to act in the manner suggested. If the meeting proceeded along those lines they would lose themselves in a mass of details. Dr Roberton agreed with Mr De Coek. Mr R. F. Armstrong, while withdrawing his motion, expressed surprise that the Borough Council had turned down the offer. Mr Coupland said the meeting had been called to discuss the elections which were to be held in November, and to discuss what was wanted in the town. Continuing, Mr Coupland paid a high tribute to the early pioneers who had helped to put Te Awamutu where it was to-day. It was

left to present-day citizens to carry on after those pioneers, and do their best for the advancement of the town. The suggestions put forward should encourage the new Council. Mr L. S- Armstrong introduced the question of the brick area and asked if it should not be extended. Mr De Coek said that town planning would cover such matters. Mr Armstrong said commercial buildings were being erected in residential areas. Mr Edhouse said that the need for a place for physical activities should be placed on the agenda. Mr Grace favoured better access to Te.Awamutu being provided. The access road from Te Awamutu to Hamilton was in a congested area. Better exits for people going to, say, Pirongia and Kawhia were also needed. Mr Mackenzie said Mr Oliphant had drawn attention to such needs as stressed by Mr Grace, some years ago. Mr De Coek said that land for such a purpose had been acquired. Mr Sinnott said they had spent 14 hours in getting together an agenda, and he suggested that some matters therein be discussed. Mr L. X S. Armstrong said the numbering of houses was a step in the right direction but he thought the numbering of each little shop was going rather far. Mr Armstrong then introduced the question of naming the streets and he favoured continuity in that direction. Mr Hughes favoured the improvement in the appearance of the area, from College Street to the railway. He often wondered what visitors must think of that area, which Mr Hughes characterised as the biggest disgrace in any town in New "Zealand. Mr R. F. Armstrong said he was not quite clear as to the procedure that should be adopted. ’ The chairman said that a sub-com-mittee would have to be set up and the suggestions considered and such could be used by the candidates and even after the elections. In reply to a question by the chairman, those present said there was no desire to discuss the suggestions that night.

Mr Babbage said that practically every subject that had been brought forward was covered by town planning. The town had made rapid progress within the past 30 years and it would make equal progress in the future, but they must have planning. Mr Hughes asked if it was known what Councillors would not be seeking re-election. Street talk had it that seven Councillors were retiring. Planning would be useless unless they got a suitable Council. The chairman said that there had been plenty of street chatter, but no definite suggestions had been put forward for the Council. Dr Roberton questioned if the meeting could do so. The candidates would put forward their platforms, but a great deal depended on the rates. Those who believed that improvements would mean paying for some would be in one camp, and those who were opposed to the schemes would be in another. Mr Fried said most of the difficulties were financial ones. Mr Kelly said one question of importance was whether the Borough was best served by a consulting engineer or whether they should have their own engineer. Mr R. F. Armstrong referred to the last election, when a committee was set up to interview certain people to see if they would offer themselves as candidates. As a result of the efforts of that committee candidates were secured. The chairman said that the sub-com-mittee should consist of men who would undertake to approach suitable men for the council, after the elections the sub-committee should try and see that the Borough Council were supported. Mr Hughes contended that a crosssection of the elections was necessary if they were to get a successful borough council. Mr R. F. Armstrong said that prior to the last election the committee had approached every possible section of the community. They had produced a list of candidates and the electors had done the rest. Mr Judd referred to the difficulties likely to be experienced in bringing so many suggestions into one parcel, so to speak. Mr Judd favoured bringing specialists into the schemes even though they would have to pay for them. Mr Ansell moved that two sUb-com-mittees, one to find out what members of the present council were again offering their services and the second to be a publicity committee, each committee to consist of five, members. Mr Edhouse, in seconding the motion said the committees should be given a specific time in which to do their work. Mr Ensor said the new council would have to face expenditure and if loans were needed the ratepayers should know all about it. Take the ratepayers into the confidence of the council and he felt sure that the former would be prepared to pay, so it was a pity that suggestions had been put forward without considering them. Mr Kelly said he felt that some of the discussion was not relevant to the motion. He also thought that Mr Ansell had deliberately left out the question of finance which could be dealt with by a finance committee. Mr Ansell said that that was so. A finance committee could be set up later. Mr Hughes said finance entered into both committees. The speaker asked how the publicity committee was to work. Mr Fried said the committee should try and increase interest in the elections and affairs of the borough. Dr Roberton believed that Mr Anse'll was placing the cart before the horse. Mr De Coek supported Mr Ansell’s motion. Town planning did not mean very much to the average citizen, but if the suggestions were placed before the public it would help to educate the people. Mr Edhouse said that if the suggestions were placed before the public they would go a long way. Mr Edhouse favoured meeting at intervals so as to get information and place it before the public. In the past some meetings did not have sufficient knowledge to get unanimity of opinion. Dr Roberton moved as an amendment that the order of the committees be reversed. i Mr Ansell said both committees would work in co-ordination and they were not going out as two separate independent bodies. Dr Roberton, on hearing Mr Ansell’s explanation, withdrew his amendment. The motion was then carried.

The election of the committees was

then proceeded with and they resulted as follows: Candidates’ Committee: Messrs W. J. Craik, R. F. Armstrong, D. J. Edhouse, A. A. Hughes, R. C. Judd. Publicity Committee: Dr J. B. W. Roberton, Messrs K. S. Kelly, H. P. Ensor, A. Hill, L. A. Truscott and E. Fried. It was agreed that the latter committee be six members. In reply to the chairman, the meeting seemed to be agreed that the committees should continue to exist after the elections. The question of the Mayor’s honorarium was then raised by the chairman, who favoured an increase. Mr Ansell moved that it be a recommendation to the borough council that the honorarium be increased. Mr Hughes seconded the motion. Mr Hill moved as an amendment that the latter be left in the hands of the sub-committees and the amendment was carried. Mr Bundle asked if the whole of the present council intended to seek reelection would the sub-committee interview others and apparently the question was rather a difficult one for no definite answer was forthcoming. Mr Craik was appointed convenor of the first committee and Mr Kelly convenor of the second. Mr Reid asked if the meeting was to be open to discuss the matters mentioned in the circular issued. The chairman said that most of the matters were covered by town planning. The question of an aerodrome was introduced and discussed in a very half-hearted manner by several of those present. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair and to the Press. Mr De Coek remarking that the talk about publicity should not be contrued or taken as a reflection on the reporting of the borough council meetings or the publicity accorded those meetings.