COUNCIL APPROVES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 98, 14 July 1944, Page 5

COUNCIL APPROVES

A.T.C. HEADQUARTERS

STRUCTURE ON STRAND

Formal endorsement of the Mayor's action in granting permission to the aviation authorities to erect on the Strand 1 the wooden structure Avhich will do Wervti'ce as the local Air Trailing Corps Headquarters was given by the Borough Council at its July meeting last Monday. The single dissentient voice was that of Mr J. Creeke who said' that he objected on principle. Introducing the matter, the Mayor stated that he had been assured that the building was only going to be there for the duration and lie had thereupon consulted most of the Councillors available who liad agreed to waive the by-law (brick area) and to regard the permit in the nature of a war effort. "The A.T.C.," he continued, "was doing splendid work, and of the fourteen squadrons in the Auckland wing the Whakatane boys had topped the. aggregate marks awarded to cadets at training camps with the result that the local unit was regarded as one of the most efficient in the area." "1 am still strongly against this building going up in the heart of the town," said Cr Creeke, who de.clared that there was no real reason why such a flimsy structure could not be built in. the Domain, or at any rate' away from the shopping area. It was all very well to regard it as a war effort, but these things had the habit of becoming permanent fixtures. He recalled buildings erected, in Wellington during the last war to observe temporary purposes—and they were still there. Mr Charlie Hunia the well known Maori storekeeper and farmer of Te. Teko died on July 24 f 1943. A memorial gathering will be held at Tuteao Meetinghouse, the assembly house of the Ngamaihi Tribe Te Teko, on Sunday, July 23. A religious service will be conducted by Rev. J. G. Laughton at 11 a.m. Dinnex will be served in the large dining hall at 1 p.m. This meeting has been arranged by the family and tribe of the late Mr Hunia to give them and his many friends Pakeha and Maori an opportunity to pay tribute to his memory on the first anniversary of his death. Charlie Hunia was a remarkable man. He commenced life with, few educational advantages, but he wais. endowed plenteously with native ability and shrewdness. Commencing with small beginnings he. developed a business of very considerable dimensions, which included a general store, a butcher's shop, a billiard room and a picture hall. In addition to this he was engaged in extensive farming operations. Mr Hunia was an. intensely loyal son of the British Empire, and a very generous supporter of the war effort. His genial personality is greatly missed in Te Teko by his many friends, both Maori and Pakeha. He was a fine, example of thrift to the rest of his tribespeople, and a demonstration of the success which is open to all Avho will scvize the opportunities of advancement which are open to all. It is to be hoped that this memorial gathering will bring to the. mind of all who attend it the example of thrift and industry of the man who will be remembered that day.