BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 18, 18 April 1947, Page 5

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

APRIL MEETING OF COUNCIL KING STREET SHOPPING ZONE His Worship the Mayor (Mr B. S. Barry) presided at the April meeting of the Whakatane Borough ‘ Council which took place last Mon- • day evening. Present Crs S. Shapley, A. J. Canning, H. G. Warren, -J. H. B. Warner, L. R. Spring, W. Sullivan, C. S. Armstrong, and R. Morpeth. The Town Clerk (Mr- L. Lovelock), the Electrical Engineer (Mr F. W. Lysaght) and the Fore-man-Engineer (Mr W. Henderson) were also in attendance.

The question of establishing a shopping zone in King Street to coincide with the new plan by the Government for the erection of 200 State Houses on the western corner, the Housing Department wrote expressing a desire to co-operate with the Council in all respects. While agreeing that it was desirable for the main shopping area to be centred near the corner of James and King Streets it was assumed that the necessity for a further small zone about half a mile distant would also be conceded. Such a step would be in conformity with town planning principles. However in view of the Council’s report fuller consideration would be given to the plan in conjunction- with the Council as it was desired to secure the most correct and desirable layout for the new residential block.

By way of conferring and bringing the matter to a satisfactory finality, Messrs. Thomas and Gillespie (engineer and. supervisor) of the Housing Department waited on the Council and, discussed the whole matter in detail. All points regarding the amended plan and recreation area in the new block were discussed and finalised.

With regard to the suggested subsidiary shopping area, Mr Gillespie pointed out that there was no intention at the present time of building State shops. All that was intended was to reserve a few sections for that purpose as a safeguard against future development. The Department considered the corner of Alexander Avenue as the most suitable position. When Councillors pointed out the threat of flooding at that particular ■corner, Mr Thomas said that the Housing Department did anticipate cleaning out the strearmbed and lifting the stop-banks as an additional safeguard to the scheme. The plan as amended by the Department was approved. R.S.A. Objection An objection was received from the local branch of the R.S.A. to the use of the Borough Council Chambers by a visiting photographer for commercial purposes. The Mayor explained that it had never been the habit of the rooms being used for any commercial purpose, but unfortunately a' junior who was in ignorance of the rule had let the place and it would not happen again. It was decided to notify the branch .accordingly.