A CONFUSING NAME.

Shannon News, 12 April 1927, Page 2

A CONFUSING NAME.

MANAWATU TOR PALMERS.TON. HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL OPPOSES-CHANGE. At the meeting of the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday, a letter was received, addressed to the chairman, from Mr John Kebbell, of Levin, asking that the proposal adopted by the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce in favour of changing the name of that town to Manawatu should receive vhe attention of.the Council, as the suggested native was one which many people in that connection, as it was likely to lead to confusion. He had written to the chairman of the Manawatu County Council, who had agreed with hint and promised to bring the matter before his Council at its next meeting. Foxton had. passed a resolution against it. He asked that if the majority of the Council were opposed to the new name, their objection should be forwarded to the Prime Minister. The latter had written to him and stated that he would be glad to arrange for any representations on the matter to receive full consideration. The Chairman (Cr. Monk) said that when he first came to this coast, the I district was'known as the "Manawatu Line," owing to the Manawatu Company owning the railway. His experience in recent years was that it was no longer known as Manawatu, but by its right name of Horowhenua. The question of Palmerston's name being changed to Manawatu would not affect this district, but there was a considerable area of country known as Manawatu, in which the change might cause a certain amount of confusion. "For the life of me, Ijtlon't know why they want to change the name of Palmers-' ton North," the Chairman added. "An agitation went on in a weekly paper in Wellington, and what struck me was that it was possibly an advertising campaign. The town has been Pal' merston North as long as I can remember, and I don't know any good reason why it 3hould not remain Palmerston North." Cr. Ryler: It is on account of Palmerston South. The Chairman: That is Palmerston down there— not Palmerston South. H 3 added that he thought Mr Kebbell had suggested Rangitane as a name. Cr. Whyte referred to the case of Tokomafu and Tokomaru Bay, saying that it was necessary to have letters addressed "Tokomaru, " It was agreed that Council favour the continuance of the name Palmerston North.