DISGRACEFUL RECEPTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 61, 1 August 1947, Page 5

DISGRACEFUL RECEPTION

COUNTY COUNCIL’S DISCOURTESY

CHAIRMAN’S FORCEFUL CRITICISM

“With regard to our deputation to the Opotiki County Council, I just want to say this —that never in the whole of my experience have I met with such a disgraceful reception at the hands of any local body and I trust that no deputation waiting on this Council would ever be shown the same utter discourtesy and lack of tact.”

In this way the County Chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett, reported to the County Council on Tuesday on his trip with the Clerk, Engineer and Cr McCready to Opotiki on July 4th last: He added that the Whakatane Council in its letter to the Opotiki Council of May 29 had stated that in support of its resolution supporting the Wainui settlers in their request that the County boundary be altered, requested the Opotiki Council to receive a deputation. On June 24 the Opotiki .County Council had advised that it was prepared to receive a deputation from the Whakatane County Council and Mr Burke on Friday, July 4. The deputation was accordingly exceedingly surprised when it attended in Opotiki to have the question raised as to whether it should be received and, i among other things, accused of “stabbing Opotiki in the back” and “using backyard methods.” It was with regret therefore that he had to report that it failed to receive in Opotiki the courteous reception and hearing which may reasonably be expected even between local authorities which differ.

In its official response the Opotiki Council stated that it had given the whole matter full consideration, and after deliberation the following resolution had been passed:—

“That the Opotiki County Council does not accede to the prayer of the petition as presented to the Whakatane County Council, and does not agree to the proposed alteration of boundaries between the two Counties as set out in the said petition.”

The Council however after considering the representations advanced by the Whakatane Council’s deputation with regard to the Ohope spit and that portion of the pro-

posed Wainui Road at present in the .Opotiki County, the Council was •prepared under the terms of the Counties Act to make suitable al-

teration of boundary to suit that particular problem, providing the petition was withdrawn and that the resolution passed by the Whakatane County Council supporting the petition be revoked.

Mr Burnett expressed his„„. regret at the misunderstanding which had arisen and added that the discussion at Opotiki had been on a very low plane leaving much to be desired. In spite of the assurances of the Wainui ratepayers, the Whakatane Council had been accused of engi-

neering the whole thing. Cr McCracken agreed emphatically that the attitude of Opotiki Council was little short of a disgrace, especially when doubts were cast on the integrity and honesty of purpose on the part of a chairman of a sister local body. He was supported by Cr Butler

. who expressed the hope that his . own Council would never descend .r to similar tactics even though it might differ with those who presented the case. It was decided to refer the letter from the Opotiki Council to the Wainui settlers for their information and comment.