NOT FAVOURED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 100, 18 August 1944, Page 5

NOT FAVOURED

HARBOUR BOARD'S ACCESS PLAN

BOROUGH COUNCIL'S PROTEST Contending that the Whakatane Harbour Board l was exceeding its province by deciding to establish its proposed l access route across the low-lying land between the Strand and King by means of appropriating serevances under the Public Works Act, the Borough Council decided' last Monday evening to protest to the Minister on the grounds that the area was unsuitable for settlement and that the Board was exceeding its powers;. Discussing the matter, the Mayor said that the area was low-lying and any access route would have to be built, up considerably, and the cost would fall on the ratepayers. The scheme was well apart from the Board's duties of safeguarding and maintaining the harbour. Cr Canning thought otherwise. If the Board was prepared to cut up new land near the town it was to be encouraged he contended. Closer settlement near the business area was badly needed. "I'm right against it/' declared Cr Shapley. The ground is far too low, and as for outlets, we have two already. There-were also ample building, sites already—sufficient to last the town for 50 years. He considered the council should object strongly. Cr Creeke also agreed declaring that any move to cut up the mudflats; for residential sites was;-builds ing up trouble. They could only be. built up at enormous expense, reclaimed and drained, and even then they would be cold and. wet and subject to flood. The Harbour Board had to bear in mind these things and look ahead. The decision to protest to the Minister was carried with Cr Gann* ing dissenting.