OHOPE STATUS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 70, Issue 91, 18 July 1944, Page 5

OHOPE STATUS

BOROUGH COUNCIL COMMENT

QUESTION OF PROGRESS

Sharp criticism of the administration of Ohope Beach., by the County 'Council was indulged in by Cr A. .J. Canning at the meeting of the Whakatane Borough Council when formal notification was received from the. Minister of Internal Affairs, negativing the movement to set up an independent Town Board at the settlement.

"The whole trouble about Ohope is that the residents are not satisfied with the treatment they have received at the hands of the County ■ Council," he declared.- The beach constituted a splendid resort with wonderful potentialities which the €ounty failed to recognise. He traced the history of the road access which he said was only attained after battling against the council, a member of which had at one stage termed the residents there as 'parasites.' For years the County had been collecting rates on the stretch from 1 to 58, and had never spent .a penny in return. He personally had every sympathy with Ohope residents.

"Actually we are not directly interested in this matter," said the Mayor. "It is between the County •Council and the ratepayers. But we •can probably look forward to the iSuggestion of linking the beach up with the Borough. That is quite likely and can be brought about by making over a strip of land whereby it becomes part of the Borough."