TO THE EDITOR

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 271, 15 December 1939, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR

LADIES’ REST AND PLUNKET ROOMS Sir, —1. read that the Borough Council approached the County Council recently and invited'- a contribution of £250 towards a building scheme. Apparently the County Council did not view the proposal very favourably as £SO was tbe limit of its contribution. To anyone umiwate of the true position, the county council’s action might appear parsimonious but it is not surprising when one considers past history. l.t is now several years since a building scheme was mooted and if my memory serves me right, the county council obtained data from Whakatano and 1 think Te Puke of model buildings. The cost as, 1 recall was about £SOO, and 1 have been informed that the. county council was thou prepared to share the building cost on a 50-50 basis. Councillor Short, however, had other views on the matter ; lie wanted to sec ■palatial municipal buildings erected, possibly a.s a monument- to personal ambition, and the idea was conceived to amalgamate the Rest and Plunket scheme with the major municipal chambers brain wave. However, the Local Bodies’ Loans Board piit the lid on this unwarranted extravagance. Now it appears the original rest and Plunket room scheme is being resurrected hut the county council is not biting and I suggest reasons. (1) There is a war on in which wo are vitally interested and it is not a time to enter into financial commitments other than those pressingly essential. (2) Building costs have risen out of all proportion and one questions the wisdom(?) of anyone proceeding with unproductive works at present. It is rumoured the borough council is determined to go ahead with the building scheme at. all costs and load the expense on to borough ratepayers. It will be interesting to watch the actions of those clever councillors who favour this, spendomania policy.

SUFFERING RATEPAYER -