HARBOUR MEMBER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 20, 23 April 1947, Page 5

HARBOUR MEMBER

TAURANGA AND WHAKATANE BOARDS MATATA RIDING'S POSITION The fact that the Matata Riding, the most northerly part of the Whakatane County, is gazetted as a contributing district to the Tauranga Harbour Board —some 50 miles away, has been the subject of considerable speculation by local bodies in this district of late and the suggestion has been made that the riding should be transferred to the Whakatane Harbour district.

In a letter to the County Council yesterday, the Whakatane Harbour Board advised that if it was the wish of the Matata ratepayers to be included in the Whakatane Harbour District, the Board would support any such application. If desired, the chairman would be pleased to attend the proposed meetings at Matata and Manawahe. The Council decided that public meetings on this matter be held at Matata and Manawahe in June—that the Chairmen of the Tauranga and Whakatane Harbour Boards be invited to be present. Cr Hunter said that he was sure the ratepayers in the Matata riding did not realise the true position. In a few years the Whakatane rate would be wiped off entirely. On the other hand he understood that the Tauranga Harbour Board was considering a big improvement scheme which would mean a heavily increased rate. As far as Whakatane was concerned there was no fear of a major improvement scheme eventuating.

Cr Burt said he was glad the meetings had been called. If the council had tried to merely 'push' the ratepayers into the Whakatane district without consulting them, he would have something to say. The chairman said that actually the council was not worried which way they went but thought that they should learn the position.