WAIHI BEACH RESERVE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4588, 20 July 1923, Page 3

WAIHI BEACH RESERVE.

TOWNSHIP PLAN APPROVED. The Waihi Telegraph reports that subject possibly to one or two minor variations, not materially affecting the general scheme, the plan prepared by Mr Pearson landscape gardener to the Auckland City Council, for the lay-out of the Waihi Beach recreation and camping ground, has been approved by the Minister in charge of Health Resorts, Hbn./W. Nosworthy. This provides for a total of 231 building sites, of which number 48 are occupied by those already owning shanties, while in addition there are 18 buildings on the Stewart .sections of the Borough Council’s reserve, just outside the township area, and erected in positions which made it impossible for Mr Pearson to embrace them in the lay-out. This there remain 183 sections, which will be available for selection when the Council is ready to launch its scheme. Tn all instances the sections have road frontages,, and provision has been made in the plan for a parking place for motor cars and other vehicles ; a substantial area in a good position has been set apart for campers using tents, a couple of public reserves have been marked off, and generally adequate arrangements have been made for the comfort and convenience of visitors to the resort. THE WORK AHEAD. It. will now be for the Council to carry the work to completion by fixing the rents, and the conditions upon which buildings may be erected, and by causing the Waihi Beach Road to be put info such order that vehicular traffic will be possible under the most adverse weather conditions. These matters should be attended to with as little delay as possible, otherwise time will not be afforded for the erection of buildings by the end of the year, and for the carrying out of the necessary repairs to the road, beth of which are essential if the scheme is to be launched successfully and sufficient revenue is to accrue to the Council to prevent encroachment on the general account for the maintenance of the property. Basing calculations on 100 sites being in use, the average annual rental per section would have to be not less than £5 if the reserve is to prove self supporting from the outset. The Council will have to provide for interest on the loan amounting to £330 annually, and £9O a year sinking fund, for the extinction of the loan within the stipulated period. These items represent £420 of the prospective revenue of £5OO from tlie lease of sections, and doubtless incidental expenses would absorb the balance. BUILDING REGULATIONS. • Unfortunately, during the period when the property was privately owned, no conditions were imposed its to the class of building to be erected, and consequently a number of the shanties now standing on the ground are anything but sightly, while the materials used in their construction ar? varied and inferior. If the township is to appeal to the eye the Council will -find it necessary to fix a minimum standard for cottages in future, and to insist upon the use of sound building materials. The standard must, of course, not be 'Unreasonably high, as in a working community such’ as is Waihi, ’ this would debar not a few from taking advantage or the opportunity of providing themselves with facilities for spending ttmir vacations at the . resort, and place the property almost entirely in the hands of moneyed people froin outside districts. Possibly the minimum standard might be determined by obtaining competitive designs from the local builders for cheap, yet sightly and sound, cottages. J.n all cases the' plans should be submitted to the Council for approval before building js proceeded with.

DIFFERENTIAL -RENTS. As for'differentiation of rents to be charged to outsiders and local residents, the matter, is one calling for close and careful consideration. For some '■ reasons,, and particularly in view of the fact that section holders from other parts would not be called upon to meet taxation and in .the event of the scheme not proving selfsupporting, there would appeiyy to, be grounds for fixing a higher charge to ; them. On the' other hand, any marked distinction in favour of Waihi applicants might cause dissatisfaction, and lead to the charge of spoon feed’ing. This possibility was recently mentioned -by thQr,-Secreta)y,■. to / the Treasury,- who! doubted the wisdom of, in rents, and made, it quite clear to. the Council that the whole,position would have to be ap-' proaehed ' in- a businesslike 'manner,. and that the scheme be made ,to pay, its way.' With this’ in mind it would .perhaps be as well-for-the Cbuncil to treat .all alike in the' matter ,of of charges, The adoption of.such a -cojrse'would eliminate the possibility of interference with the- success rf the proposition, and dispose, of an allegation of Tn the event of any action of the' ’Oouncil militating against, the' scheme ‘it is ■not improbable that the Treasury Department would -dec,ide to step in, and j impound 'part of the/ Borough’s gold > revenue -. to meet -the ■ cost of, main- | taining the reserve. This must tie | guarded against. The Council .would,! however, be justified in charging the , holders of the’more desirable sites, on the terrace higher rentals than foi j the sections in other parts of--.the township.