WHITIANGA OR, MERCURY BAY?

Thames Star, Volume LXII, Issue 17412, 25 July 1928, Page 8

WHITIANGA OR, MERCURY BAY?

CHANGE OF NAME.

COUNCIL’S ATTITUDE. At the last meeting of the Coromandel County Council, a letter was received from the Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs (Mr J. Hislop) relative to the proposed change of name of the township of Whitianga to Mercury Bay, advising that the representations submitted to his Department indicate that a good deal of friction exists on the matter in the district. The hon. Acting-Minister of Internal Affairs has therefore decided to take no further steps in the direction of changing the name of the township until some unanimity of opinion is arrived at on the part of the residents interested. It is proposed to advise those concerning accordingly.

A letter on the same subject was read from the Surveyor-General (Mr W. T. Neill) stating that the Geographical Board has received a communication from the Secretary of the Postal Department asking that the name of Whitianga be changed to Mercury Bay, and advising, for Council’s information and comment, that the subject came before the Board at a meeting held on 29th. June, when the following resolution was passed:

“That no definite action be taken by the Board until the receipt of the petitions for and against, and the local body concerned is notified, also a report from the Chief Surveyor, Auckland, is received.”

Cr Simpson wished to re-open the matter and discuss the question again, urging that the full Council was not present at the April meeting of which a majority supported Cr Lee in retaining “Whitianga,” the native name of the township on the river-bank at the entrance to Whitianga harbour. Cr Lee said there -was no need at all to re-open the matter. The Clerk: The resolution passed at the April meeting will have to be rescinded before the question can be re-opened. Cr Simpson said he would give notice to move that the resolution be rescinded. The Chairman: What answer shall we give to these letters —that the matter is under consideration? This was agreed to.