THE HEADS!

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 73, 18 May 1943, Page 5

THE HEADS!

THE BOROUGH CINDERELLA

CR CREEKE'S STRONG PLEA

One of those unrehearsed little incidents that often giVe rise to a mild exchange at the best of local body meetings, occurred at the last meeting of the Borough Council when, as the estimates were being disfcussed Crs Armstrong and Creeke, who as everybody knows are seeking to make the Heads, the' Remuera of Whakatane, put up a strong jjlea for greater financial recognition for that popular suburb.

Cr Armstrong congratulating ihe Works Committee on the. comprehensive nature of the estimates said

that unfortunately there was a very obvious gap and that was in connection with the Heads a section of

the town which was becoming more popular" with tlic public as the petrol restrictions made it more difficult to go to Ohope. He suggested

tlia£ the sum of £150 should be allocated to the work of sealing the road front the town.

The Mayor said that the committee had not lacked champions for the Heads but it had been found that there were other more pressing needs elsewhere and it had been agreed that in the event of any surplus money during the year that this would be d.cvoted to the Heac)s4 road. THis brought Cr Creekc to his feet declaring that a long-standing motion on the Borough minutes had authorised the completion of, the

road and, footpaths long ago. The work had been started and it was the policy he understood to do a little each year. It was. an absurdity, he said to cease altogether. The only thing against the Heads was the approach. Story of the Ramp Whilst on his feet and apparently in the. mood, Cr Crecke (ito juse his owji words) got the story of the Heads 'ramp' off his chest. This undertaking he said, had been authorised. by the Council as a means to enable the fire reel to reach the sea water at low tide. It was the responsibility of the Council to afford some protection for the residents in that part of the town. To instal a regulation lire service, would have cost £800, while the alternative estimate for the ramp had been £(50, the actual cost being only £45. He knew, lie saijd that. he. had been the object of considerable criticism, but was giving the Council the benefit of -10 years fire experience when he first proposed the scheme. Some had thought that the laying of a permanent pipe into the channel would have been a more economical method, but such a

scheme would have been both dangerous and unsatisfactory owing to blockages.

To cap his arguments Cr Creelce then swung back to the point and movjtd that £150 be placed on the estimates for work at the Heads. Cr Armstrong seconded.

Cr Sullivan warned that it was a matter of how . much bitumen would be available. He advised the holding over of the suggestion until such time, as the estimates were being revised.

The Mayor said the estimates were based on a 5)0 per ccnt collection of rates and it was necessary for the Council to spend its money where it was most needed.

Cr Sullivan: Can Cr Creelce tell me the amount of revenue, from tlio

Cr Crceke: I can't tell you that but. we were forced into the Bor* ough.

Cr Sullivan (laughing): Well, you wanted something !

Cr Creekc then agreed withdraw his motion on condition the Heads received first consideration during the year for work over and above the estimates.