Rotorua’s Municipal Progress

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 170, 8 October 1927, Page 18 (Supplement)

Rotorua’s Municipal Progress

Local Administration Justified

“Rotorua, so the guide books tell us, for a long time enjoyed the distinction of being the only State-owned and State-managed town in the Dominion — perhaps in the Empire.” Enjoyed, however, is probably hardly the correct term, for it was not until 1923 when the Rotorua Town Act of 1907 was repealed and Rotorua was properly constituted as a borough that any appreciable progress was made. From its inception in 1883 until 1900 it was administered as a board appointed under the provision of the Thermal Springs Region Act. From 1900 to 1907 the Rotorua Town Council operated. At this stage the citizens were a bit better off as regarded representation, having the right to nominate three of the seven members constituting the council. In 1907, however, majority control by the Government was superseded by complete Government control. The town was administered by the Tourist Department as represented by a resident officer. There was no rating authority, revenue being obtained from rents from the Crown leases in the town and a portion of the bath fees. The position was far from satisfactory. The town was rapidly extending and with the fixed revenue obtainable the department was compelled to admit in a report made on the question that adequate maintenance was impossible. A partial remedy to that state of affairs was the Rotorua Borough Act of 1921-22. A council of five elected members and two Government nom- | inees was set up. Later an amendi ment of the Act increased the number of elected members to eight including the mayor.

The council still drew Crown rents amounting approximately to £I,BOO as endowment, and for the first five years a portion of the bath fees, amounting to about £1,300 a year. The position in regard to land tenure, however, was still considered unsatisfactory. The borough comprised some 3,275 acres, sections being taken up on 99 year

leases with no compensation for improvements. The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, which naturally actively interested itself in this question, desired the settlement of that question before rating power was established

and after two years of persistent effort, the Rotorua Town Lands Act, which conferred upon Crown tenants the right of acquiring the freehold during the tenure of the lease was passed. Forging Ahead Largely as the result of the right to acquire the freehold a big improvement in the town from an architectural

point of view was quickly apparent. The freehold can now be acquired either for cash or deferred payments extending over a long period. Residents quickly availed themselves of the opportunity and improvements were generally put in hand. Since the borough council came into being the town has steadily forged ahead. The population now stands at 4,699 and the rateable value at £1,280,000, the annual increase in valuation amounting approximately to £30,000. The total area included in the borough is 4,180 acres, it being

the 14th largest borough in New Zealand, and for the year ended March 31 building permits to the value of £52,022 were issued. A general rate of seven-tenths of a penny was struck during the year. In the rate per £I,OOO of rateable , capital value Rotorua is the third lowest in the Dominion with £6.09, i the general average being about £lo! . j The principal expenditure confront-

ing the borough council upon coming into existence was in connection with roads. In loans a sum amounting to approximately £39,500 has been raised, most of this sum being expended on roading and kerbing work. Owing to exceptional circumstances the water supply, drainage and electrical power works still remain the property of the Government and are controlled by it. Under the terms laid down in the Act these, however, may later be invested in the council. One very important feature of the Act is the authorisation for the coun-

cil to levy a rate up to a £I,OOO a year for the purpose of advertising the district as a tourist and health resort and for providing for the maintenance and development of the thermal areas. In this respect Rotorua is unique, no other local body in New Zealand possessing that power. The rates struck under that- clause up to the present amount approximately to £2,000. The fund has been admin-

istered by the borough council, the authority being availed not oily the purpose of advertising the dusk; but also in providing outdoor rawtainments in the«summer evening!. Commendable Enterprise In this latter connection there h i scheme, which, when completed, va add further stimulus, if any is Mrssary, to the attractions of Rctonw r a holiday resort. It is the prop* s for the establishment of a **•* parade. Recently the council came into session of about 10 acres of land Irving Lake Rotorua, known u tij Marine Parade, and valued by OJ Government at £ 10,000. For a ipu®; of a century the Marine Pi ra “®“J: remained almost in Its native tion, despite its obvious suitability a an ideal recreation and park. The council has now ac 4«« the property and has authorised tPublieity and Amusement Cow**"* to evolve a scheme for the utuisar* 5 of this splendid asset. It is suggested to concentrate Wing amusements and entertain®** the parade, improve the shore. an up-to-date dancing pavilion, “ portions to the establishment oi equipped children’s playgrounds, 1“ ground and side-shows. The principal object is to pro organised entertainment in the mer evenings. Although in th rr.he council has organised _ concerts and contracted for ® , programmes by the local ban orchestra, anything approach®* i scale new proposed has hitherto ! impract: cable. The venture ! looked forward to with ere** p not only by the residents but the thousands of visitors who ' aS <. ! take their holidays in the like . Another splendid conveni ; visitors is the motor campi purpose an area of about i has been set aside within a , 1 a half of the town. It i undulating and cicely-wool uc i absolutely ideal for the , water and all conveniences j on.