POOR ATTENDANCES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 101, 15 December 1939, Page 4

POOR ATTENDANCES

FOLLOWING the high feeling among Ohope residents, the letters to the BEACON, and the dire threats to the County Council, as a result of the recent fire, it was rather instructive to note the fourteen persons who found it convenient to attend the meeting convened last Tuesday evening to meet Mr.. H. C. McCready the representative on the Council who desired to discuss the entire question in a friendly constructive manner. While not seeking out this particular meeting to condemn the deep rooted apathy and indifference on the part of ratepayers to bestir themselves in their own interests, we do nevertheless seize upon it as a typical example of the attitude of the average individual when called upon, to do a littie in the common sense. They may have the best of intentions prior to such meetings, but when it comes to action or practical proof of live interest, ninety nine persons out of one hundred are weighed in the balance and found sadly wanting. In the case of Ohope, here was a genuine endeavour of the people representative to come to a common , understanding, following the popular clamour for better ' facilities. Even of the meagre number attending, four *■ were merely rent-payers who had no permanent interest in the beach and were animated by a desire to co-operate. Yet these same tenants are unable to link up with any progressive organisation on account of the fact that they are not property owners. In this connection it is to be urgently hoped that the Association will relax in some degree and find ways and means of utilising t'he efforts of these willing workers. Ohope at the .present time appears to have fallen between two stools of petty local contention. Neither the .Ratepayers Association nor the Progress League appear to be able to rally their forces and definitely grapple with the problems that arise from time and require reference to the County Council. Surely it is possible to bring about a union of interests and show a co-operative front. As Mr. McCready aptly stated, Ohope just "happened", and it will go on "happening" unless its residents and section owners can be shaken out of the selfish and hopeless indifference into which they have drifted.