ORIGINAL MEMORIAL PLAN TO STAND

Chronicle (Levin), 16 July 1949, Page 2

ORIGINAL MEMORIAL PLAN TO STAND

New Motion Defeated By Narrow Margin

"In my opinion the plan as prepared shows that the scheme would be too costly. About £25,000 would be needed. I have chqnge'd my mind because , I see the possibility, if we handle things right, of housing all those people in the borough who have waited so long for a home." ' These comments were made by Cr. .E. J. Cook when speaking at Wednesday night's meeting of the Otaki Borough Council to his notice of motion "to rescind any motion passed in connection with the war memorial hall and sports area, and that the area be developed for housing." Two further notices of motion moved by Cr.oCcok were- as iollows: — "That the council approve of the following scheme: To build the memorial hall on the council section in Main Street when materials are available; that a gymnasium hall be built now on the back of this section facing Rangatira Street, out of the timber known as Barber's house, to serve as a temporary hall, which coul'd be connected to the Memorial Hall later. 2. That the council consider taking under proclamation lands adjoining the domain sufficient to provide for two football and two hockev fields.

Cr. Cook said he foresaw many benefits at little or no cost to the council and ratepayers, while beneflts to the business community could not be estimated. "But if we tie up this large block in the centre of the town area ic will be tied , up for all time. No rates of any kind would be available, the cost of maintenance would be too heavy, and the financing and idtimate loss to the borough would be too great. Gradual Development. "I foresee development now radiating from the centre of the town, and the 18 acres could b'e developed gradua-lly as a housing area, with considerable rates to be collected. Atgymnasium hall coud be erected at once, to be used for all purposes, and assist in raising funds towards the memorial hall fund. The sniall area required for enlarging the present domain would be one lot at present let to the Chinese, plus approximately 100 feet of the adjoining -property. The total cost would be the purchase of the land and the transfer of the house already owned.' I want to see the ratepayers' money spent to the best advantage, and consider this scheme most beneficial to ratepayers. My idea wouid be the cheapest in the long run,everyone would be provided for and this modified scheme should sufflce for many years," concluded the speaker. Cr. H. W. Hakaraia contended that the previous speaker's motjon was out of order, and opposed it under section 63 of the Municipal Corporations Act. Explaining that the section referrdd to special orders and not to ordinary resolutions, the Mayor ruled that Cr. Hakaraia's point of order could not be conceded. Cr. N. D. Anderson, in seconding the potice of motion, stated that the council was obviously not unanimously behind the original scheme, and considered the modified one more reasonable and far more likely to be accepted by the Internal Affairs Department. "Trying to get a scheme passed that the Mayor does not support, is like the Government trying to move without the Prime Minister," he added. Speaking to the motion the Mayor outlined the relative merits of the two schemes stating the council had invited the Internal Affairs Department, in whose hands the approval of the scheme t'o rsubsidy purposes lay, to inspect and report on the alternati-ve proposals. Three departmental offlcers had unanimously supported the extension of ihe existing domain. They considered it excellent, centrally situated with good road" access, and one which readily lent itself to further extension and development. To strike out afresh and lay out new fields and a new grandstand was as unnecessary as is was wasteful. Opposition From Farmers. These views, he said, were supported by the Otaki Returned Services' Association, whose opinion should surely have been observed as representing the very men and women whom the town was seeking to honour. The Federated Farmers had strongly complained against the proposal to take the 18 acres now being farmed to their fullest capacity, and more recently the State Housing Department had commenced the "erection of 18 State houses in the locality, and had approached the owner of part of the 18 acres with a view to securing part of the land for additional State houses. Furthennore a large cross-section of the public had voiced disapproval, and recently the secretary of the Labour Party, on hearing of the housing ,developments, 'had stated that members of the party were opposed to the taking of the 18 acres, and sought leave to bring a deputation to the council. Mayor Supports Cr. Cook. "We have been years endeavour-

ling to get the Minister to act, and now with muph additional interest shown, and with the construction company in our midst, here we are trying to procure an u'ndertaking that they will not develop in that area. I wish to disassociate myself with such lack of wisdom, and think the decision f oolish and unwise," stated "the Mayor. He supported Cr. Cook in moving for a

more modified scheme, which he hoped would be adopted. With the Housing Department cp-operating, the 18 acres could be cuT up as required so ■ as not to unduly interfere with present operations, and the area would be buiit up with houses eventually. "Surely this is a much better proposal than to lay out additional sports areas for future generations at a tremendous unwarranted cost," added Mr. Atmore. When the Mayor stated further that the scheme did not have the fuil backing of the council and he lelt that it was unwise for a sniall majority in so important an issue to endeavour to enforce a 'decision against the wishes of the minority, Cr. Hakaraia interjemed more than once, and the Mayor told him he was defying the chair and wouid have to remain quiet or ieave the meeting. ' ■ ' ' Conciuding the Mayor. stated that if the majority persisved what chance did they. think they had of octaining the approval of the ,Internai Affairs Department. "You would have to ted them that there is strong objection inside and outside the council, and you wid have to record that neither the R.S.A., the Federated Farmers, the Labour Party, the Mayor or his deputy were in favour of the original

scheme." If you still think you cen bulldoze* your way through, I don't think you have got a hope." The spsaker suggested that the' obvious duty of members was to ' compromise and reopen the' dis-j cussion and make sure the scheme ready was what the citizens wanted-' it to be. Cr. Cook's Motion Lost. Cr. Hakaraia s.ated that the resomtion had been passed in October last to acquire the land, and contended that since then efforts had been made time and egain to defeat what tiie. people had passed. He asked that the motion be nut.

Cr. McKinley stated that, in his own words the Minister was "not wedded to the spot" under diseussion, snd there was no guarantee that it would be taken 'for houses anyway. Cr. Retter asked if the Federated Farmers opposed the taking of the site for a spprts area, wouid their views be any' - ^different if it was Laken for housing. On receiving a reply to the effect that it would be taken "bit by bit for housing," he contended that that was what was wrong with Otaki. The council had been doing things "bit by bit" for far too long. "You have been as eep. Arrest the stagnation that has set inY Look at Mill Road, It is a disgrace, and has been for years. My view is that Ihe tendency is for the 'town to develop towards the railway. I want to see all the houses here we can get. You have oniy got to cut up from the school to the railway and the whole area will be settled in no time. The motion is opposing progress in this direction." Conciuding, the speaker stated that if the sports area was nearer the town it would be the means of bringing people into the town. Today they come and go. We want them to come and leave something behind, and benefit the business people accordingiy, and this council should not cppose the cutting up of areas adjacent to the present domain for housing, but should help to the utmost. On being put to the vote, Counci.'lor Cook's notice of motion was defeated by four votes to three, and the remaining motions were withdrawn.,