BIGGER BOROUGH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 61, 13 September 1939, Page 5

BIGGER BOROUGH

j'--TAKINti IN HEADS AND :PA r !* Council's decision On the motion of the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, it was resolved by i:lu* Whakatane Borough Council on Mon day night that the necessary machinery be set in motion to bring The Heads and the Pa into the borough. This decision followed a brief discussion on a recommendation 01 the finance committee to this effect. The n niter had been referred to the- full council, said Mr Barry, in order that all councillors coul-1 consider it. There were two points to be considered, one being that the extension of the boundary would mean a higher capital value and an increase in hospital rating of about £17. The other was that the Health Department might insist on sanitary services within the Pa. The Pa must ultimately come into the borough said Cr W. Sullivan. The increases in, costs would not be worth w-orrying about. The sanitary service Avould have to be supplied fo The Heads and its extension to the Pa would benefit the health of the community. • Another point was that the Native Department was likely to construct some houses in, the: Pay if the borough was in control it would probably be possible to widen streets The street past the courthouse should run straight through and be a full width road. There would no doubt be ownership difficulties to overcome. Taking the long view he thought it would undoubtedly be advantageous to take this step now. They would have to supply water to The Heads and if that was done it would be quite possible to supply water to some of the natives. He did not think there would be any heavy outlay. As a iocal authority it was their Job to see that the people got water suitable for human consumption, and the Wairere supply was, according to Mr Worley's report, riot suitable. Cr Sullivan thought it had been a mistake ever to allow the Pa to leave the borough. Mr Barry said the extra hospital rate would' be very 'small'. About 20 houses might be'affected by the sanitary rate. Seconding the Mayor's ' motion that steps be taken to include the Pa and The Heads in the borough, Cr Sullivan added that it was evident to everyone that the Maoris were becoming more Europeanised. He was getting better homes and taking an interest in them and many Maoris were in just as good a position to meet their liabilities as many pakehas.