TAUPO A BOROUGH

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 89, 2 October 1953, Page 4

TAUPO A BOROUGH

YESTERDAY, October 1st, 1953, marked an administrative step forward in the history of local government in Taupo, namely change in status from a Town District to that of a Borough. The change is an important one, for a Borough Council has a number of powers not possessed by a Town Board, which are necessary to a local body operating such public services as electric power projects, and faced with the tasks of providing for the necessities of a growing town. Borough status has come as a result of the remarkable growth of the town during recent years, intensified in the last two years and still continuing. While there is no doubt that the Wairakei Geothermal Project, with its employment of a considerable staff, has had an important place in this growth, it is equally clear that other factors have also been at work. , Of these, Taupo's attractions as a health and holiday resort, once its oniy claim to attention, have been important. With the development in road transport in the last decade, those attractions have been brought within easy reach of the greater-part of the . North Island. This has meant not oniy greatly increased numbers of holiday visitors, but a proportionate increase in those wishing to reside here, either for part of the time or permanently. As the country as a whole continues to grow in population, so will this tendency become to further the progress of Taupo.

Added to this aspect of Taupo's progress is the great development in farming the pumice country which has taken place in recent years, a factor destined to be of the utmost future importance to the town. The timber industry, fcoo, and geothermal developments, There are already indications that the change in status to a borough is likely to cause considerable interest in the forthcpming election of councillors. This is as it should be. The men and women who give their time and energies to the tasks of local government do work, much of which is monotonous, and which makes much heavier demands on their time than is realised by most people. The participation in local elections of a large proportion of the electors is~ some indication to those who do this unspectacular and necessary work, or who are willing to undertake it, that their fellow citizens do take some local Interest in public affairs and those who administer them. That there will be a record number of votes cast at the forthcoming elections in Taupo is certain, for the increase in the roll of electors is considerable. If there is also a record percentage increase in voters it would be an indication that the electors appreciate, not oniy the growing importance of their town, but also the public spirit of those who are willing to give their time and labour for its service.