Section Of Ratepayers Upset

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 27, 5 March 1948, Page 5

Section Of Ratepayers Upset

County Appointment Of Harbour JBoard Member (Special to the Beacon) MAT AT A, Wednesday. Judging from the trend of discussion at a meeting at Matata last week, a section of the ratepayers there seems not at all happy about the appointment of Mr I. Withy to represent the Matata riding on the Tauranga Harbour Board. When Mr R. Wilson, the elected member, died, the Whakatane County Council exercised its authority to fill the seat and chose Mr Withy from three nominations placed before the Council’s February meeting.

There is a feeling amongst V* certain of the ratepayers that they should have been directly consulted and, from the discussion at the meeting, it is apparent that some do not support the view that Matata should be in the Whakatane Harbour Board’s area. Critics of Mr Withy’s appointment seemed to base their criticism on the belief that he favoured withdrawal from the Tauranga Board’s area. ... v Mr J. Dredge presided over the meeting,, which was attended by a fair number of ratepayers, as well as Mr Withy and the riding member of the County Council, Mr K. L. Caverhill. Having opened the meeting and explained its purpose, “to discuss the appointment of a candidate”, Mr Dredge called upon Mr Withy to state his view of the action of the County Council in appointing him without consulting the riding ratepayers. '

Mr Withy replied at length, pointing out amongst other * things, that the County Council wished to avoid the merging of the whole of the Bay of Plenty area into the Tauranga Harbour area. He pointed out also that the Tauranga Harbour Board proposed to build a deep sea port at Tauranga, to do which would involve the raising of a loan. That, Mr Withy declared, would mean an extra rate, which-would be a further burden on the farming community of the area. He added further reasons for the belief that Matata should be included in the Whakatane area. “While Going Was Good” Here Mr J. Patterson asked Mr. Withy why it was that he had been, appointed when his leanings were so opposed to the views of the Matata ratepayers. Mr Withy replied that the Council had every right to appoint him. That was the law, and they took the opportunity to “get in while the going was good.” „ Mr A. Kinley then spoke at some length on the impossibility of ever making Whakatane a port of any worth no matter what amount _of money was spent on-it. He declared that the blowing up' of the rocks at the entrance would not be beneficial and was only a further waste of ratepayers’ money. “I Know That” Mr Withy replied that the ratepayers’ money was not being expended on this work, which he claimed would be paid for out of general funds for. maintenance. Mr Kinley reiterated that Whakatane would never have a harbour any better than it had today. “I know that, and I quite agree with you there,” feplied Mr Withy.

Mr Caver hill was then asked if he had put before the Council a proposal to hold off the appointment until the ratepayers had held their meeting, and whether he con-> sidered- Mr Withy a fit and- proper person to hold the position. He said yes. Plain Speaking Addressing himself to Mr Withy, the chairman then asked, “Do you consider the Council did a fair and proper thing in appointing you to the position without consulting the ratepayers?” s Mr Withy: Definitely yes. - The chairman: Considering the feelings of the ratepayers of this riding, would you consider resigning?

Mr Withy: No. Certainly not! Thereupon the chairman thanked Mr Withy for his very able replies to all questions and closed the meeting, after it had passed a vote of thanks to Mr Caverhill for his attendance.