OHOPE BEACH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 60, 27 March 1945, Page 5

OHOPE BEACH

TOWN BOARD DESIRED

RATEPAYERS' DISSATISFACTJON

Counter to the argument that amalgamation with larger bodies" might bring about more efficient local government were the claims put before the Rotorua sitting of the Parliamentary Selcct Committee on Local Government, on behalf of the seaside town'ship ( of Ohope, near Whakatane which sought to form '9 ■ a town board. Mr T. Dowling was the township's representative and he claimed that though Ohope always paid its share of the general rate, the Whakatane County Council had failed to cater for it. Besides not developing roads likely to be used by it had failed to prevent the building of ramshackle baches. The township, which now contained some 500 people. and some nice wished to have some control over its own affairs and with the same rate as at present levied by the county council, it could manage its problems better than at present. One of the reasons why the area was not being fully catered for by the county, he claimed, was that much of the. land was native or un-< der the Native Department and rates would not be forthcoming. The township was four miles from Whakatane borough by a county road. Would be Cheaper In answer to Mr R. Coulter, Mr Dowling said he had worked out the revenue which the town board would •collect in spite of the surrounding areas being native lands. The present county rates paid were 3d in the £ general rate and a penny and an eighth consolidated rate. At a rate of four and an eighth pence all the necessary work could be done and a small margin left for permanent work. When asked by the Hon. W. E. Parry if the Borough of Whakatane had not been approached, Mr Dowling said it had been thought of but on the other hand borough rates were very high. "I think it's your best commented Mr W. J. Broadfoot. At. the conclusion of the evidence Mr Dowling was told by the committee chairman Mr McKeen, that the affairs of the township of Ohope would be reviewed with those of all other places and he was thanked for having brought to the notice of the committee the point of view of a small settlement.