CLAIMS OF OHOPE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 1, 22 August 1944, Page 5

CLAIMS OF OHOPE

Ground Criticised

DOMAIN BOARD'S APPEAL

BOROUGH COUNCIL SYMPATHETIC

GRANT OF £25

Emphasising the potential asset which Ohope Beach represented to both the County and the Borough residents) a delegation from the Ohope Domain Board (Rev. J. G. Laughton, J. McCowan and T. P. Dowling) waited on the Borough Council last week for the purpose of seeking an annual gran't towards the Board's fund's for the development of the reserves and' picnic areas at the beach. The council gave the deputation a cordial and sympathetic hearing and decided to vote the sum of £25 as ia grant for the present year. The speakers presented a particularly strong case and made an eloquent plea in favour of the beach as a recreation area which was used widely and regularly by the Borough residents. The Rev. Laughton pointed out that the Board's entire revenue was limited to an annual grant of £100 from the County Council, and that with this sum it had endeavoured to do its utmost to main tain and improve the 198 acres of hush and open reserves on the beach. He mentioned the development of the western reserve which had recently been undertaken by the Board and also the eastern area where much levelling and terracing had been done. From a commercial as well as frcm a scenic aspect he considered it. was in the town's interests to foster the welfare of Ohope and he appealed to the -Council for an annual grant towards its progress. Overflow From Town

Mr Dowling mentioned the popularity of the, maintaining that it was impossible even now to secure a house at the beach, all having been booked up by the overflow population from the town. The Domain Board had a hard row to hoe in catering for the public which'would be, flocking there during the forthcoming holiday season.

Mr McCowan said lie spoke as a real lover of Ohope,- which he had known for forty years. He said it had taken Whakatane a long ? long time to discover the wonderful asset it had in the beach. People who came there invariably used Whakatane as their shopping and he considered the two must march to a common prosperity.

The Bush Reserve 'Cr Canning offered his congratulations to the Board on its work, and asked if it Avas its intention to open up the pohutukaAva bush reserA r e at the beach approach as a "Owing to the danger of fire ? Ave do not feel disposed to do that until Ave haA'e. appointed a custodian " replied Rev. Laughton. Cr Shapley pointed out. that there were quite a number of Borough residents at Ohope, Avho Avere paying heaA r y rates to the County and :getting little, or nothing in return. The County grant came largely from Borough ratepayers. The Mayor assured the deputants that though the Council happened to be 'hard up' for finance, and had recently suffered seA 7 erely as a result of the flood damage, they would :go sympathetically into the possibilities of a grant. A Certain Responsibility Discussing the matter Avith the 'Council folloAving the Avithdrawal of the deputation, Mr Barry said he thought it only right that they .should recognise a certain responsibility with regard to Ohope Avhich ■was an attractive asset to town and country. The County in making its grant Avas. merely handing back a portion of the rates it had collected to an organisation Avhich had relieved it of considerable responsibility. It Avas only right that it should do so. The Borough Avas. in .a different position, but nevertheless he thought it should contribute as well, and he had in mind the sum Of £25.

Cr Canning said that though he heartily agreed with the Mayor, it should not be forgotten that the County population was 10 > 000 ( and the Borough only 2300. The County received an assured income from Ohope, and speaking from experience he. could say that his own place cost him more in rates at the beach than his town residence. For that reason he did not think the Ohope ratepayers, were fairly treated. The County Council should do much more for them in view of the neavy rates it was collecting. Cr Shapley considered the Domain Board ought to be encouraged. (Continued in next column)

Cr Armstrong drew attention to the state of the picnic ground, which Avith the approach to the beach Avas noAv in a disgraceful state. He considered something should have been done before noAA' to cle,ar up the flood rubbish. "It has always been my opinion that not. enough is made of Ohope" Cr Morpeth. "The beach seems to be nobody's responsibility. During the holiday season Rotorua, Tauranga and other resorts are publicised widely in the towns but few people know where Ohope is." He suggested that an interested group or groups should produce a booklet covering the beach and its attractions and distribute it amongst the Tourist Offices. Don't Forget the Heads

"If that were done, we would he developing something for the County Council to receive still greater revenue from," said Cr Creeltc. "But don't forget the Heads. The sea air is jjust as good tliere as at Ohope and the road to it is wretched." He contended the County Council should subsidise, the Domain Board a little and not expect them to go round soliciting grants from bodies which received no revenue from the beach. The County had a substantial balance, and it. should be prepared to do the right thing by Ohope by developing it as it should be developed.

On the Mayor's motion the council agreed to make a grant of £25.