ALLEGED CREATION OF SLUM AREA AT WHAKATANE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 33, 15 December 1948, Page 5

ALLEGED CREATION OF SLUM AREA AT WHAKATANE

A protest against the council’s action in building a small house on the corner of Valley Road and Short Street, Whakatane, was contained in a petition from a few residents living near the area at Monday night’s meeting of the Whakatane Borough Council. Although the petition was received it- was decided that no action was necessary. The petition protested against the construction of the house and described it as starting a transit housing scheme and creating a slum area. It asked that the council stop building such houses and instead, start constructing large modern homes.

Exception to the letter was taken by council members, who said that the allegations were completely unfounded.

“I resent the implication that we are turning the area into slums,” Cr K. Needham said. “We are not doing anything of the sort. The house was built to provide much needed accommodation for a member of the borough staff.” Agreeing with Cr Needham, ,Cr R. S. Buttimore remarked that some people were never satisfied. “We get complaints from all quarters; from people who want to know why ,we don’t do more work in the borough,” he added. “One of the main reasons that we can not do more, is shortage of staff. Now we are getting a bit more staff and providing some accommodation we are still getting complaints. What do" these people want?” The Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, said there was no truth in the accusation that the council was creating slums by having a transit housing scheme. . $ “We have no such scheme in hand and as far as the council is concerned at the present time, we do not intend to build any further houses in the Domain area.” After the discussion it was decided. that no action was necessary but the letter would be acknowledged pointing out the reason for building the house.