THE PROGRESS OF PATEA

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1929, Page 12

THE PROGRESS OF PATEA

PAGES FROM PAST HISTORY HALF CENTURY’S DEVELOPMENT. EARLY FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. The borough of Patea was constituted 48 years ago. On November 17, 1881, the first election was held and on November 21, the Mayor, Mr, G. F. Sherwood, and full council held a special meeting, called by the Government. The new local body superseded the old Carlyle Town Board. The councillors present on this important occasion were Messrs. S. Taplin, J. Milroy, R. A. Adams, W. Aitchison, W. Dixon, P. Mahoney, J. Gibson, W. Howitt and A. Black. The first ordinary meeting was held on December 5 when the framing of by-laws and other preliminary business was put in hand. Mr. D. Al. Harris was appointed town clerk pro tern, Mr. G. D. Hamerton consulting solicitor, Mr. H. J. Davis pound-keeper, Mr. Tregear engineer, Mr. D. Al; Harris valuator and Mr. R. Jacomb inspector of nuisances and dog tax collector. At the second meeting on January 3, 1882, Mr, T. Eyton was selected as town clerk. A few days later the young council resolved to embark on a policy of borrowing £5OOO on the security of rents and endowments, the proposed works being the formation of Bedford Street, a water supply, the formation and widening of Egmont Street (the main street), and the planting of Bedford Street. Mr. E. H, Beere was appointed as permanent engineer. In July, 1882, it was decided to write to various electric light companies for information regarding the cost of installing and lighting the town by electricity. It was not till 1901 (19 years later), however, that an electric lighting scheme materialised, but even ‘ then Patea had the honour, of being the very first local body in New Zealand to adopt this illuminant.

At the same time a loan of £lO,OOO for street improvements and drainage was mooted, the amount to be repayable at the end of 15 years and secured by a special rate of 6d in the £l. A general rate of Is in the £1 had already been struck.

A scheme for providing new borough offices did not eventuate, and meetings were held in an old barrack room removed from the market square. The raising of the loan for improvements did not prove an easy task. The Trust Fund Commissioners would lend only £5OOO on a Gd rate and the Wanganui Loan, Finance and Investment Company declined entirely the proposal to lend £lO,OOO. Eventually it was resolved to accept the offer of the Government and raise a loan of £lO,OOO on a shilling rate.

Towards the end of 1884 it was desired to obtain possession of the immigration barracks, and a deputation was appointed to wait on the Premier, the Hon. J. Ballance, requesting that the Government grant these as a market site. The matter of land endowments generally "was also brought before the Minister. The matter was favourably considered and for many years the barracks were used for various social activities in connection with the town.

Some of the early meetings of the council were not very well attended and on several occasions an adjournment had to be made owing to lack of a quorum. To remedy this state of affairs it was suggested that the number of councillors be reduced from nine to six. Although a decision in this direction had actually resolution was revoked. In subsequent years, however, it was again brought forbeen made the borough solicitor reported unfavourably on the plan and the ward and now the council is comprised of six members.