LOAN BALANCES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 70, 26 June 1942, Page 5

LOAN BALANCES

ALLOCATION OF COUNTY WINDFALLS SUBSTANTIAL OHOPE BENEFIT Loan balances approaching the £2000 mark were mentioned by the County Clerk at the County Council meeting last Tuesday. This sum is made up of excess monies made available from loans applied to various works, and undertakings throughout the year. Details of accumulated sums which ranged from £2 to £500 were provided. The question of Ohope was discussed at length, the clerk stating that the chairman of the Ohope Progress League, Mr T. P. Dowling, had pressed for the recognition of that settlement, in view of the comparatively heavy rate paid by section holders in that locality, com-, pared with what was paid a few 3'cars ago. It was mentioned that the conversion loan interest rate paid by Ohope properties was approximately £110, whereas the similar rate on Ohope and the surrounding hill country, area 907 acres 3 roods, was in 1919 only £4 4s 4cl. Cr H. C. McGready also spoke in strong support. The council agreed to divert to the Ohope area loan balances amounting ot £729 4s sd. Cr Cawte in agreeing to the proposal said he recognised that Ohope was a definite asset to the whole district and it would be the fair thing to give it the help it deserved. Cr Spence went further by asking that a complete survey of Ohope be made with a view to effecting a comprehensive plan, to which the council could work. As money became available it could then be voted towards definite improvements to the resort. After the war it was obvious that local bodies would be asked to create work in order to absorb the men coming home and Ohope would be a good place to concentrate on.