KUTARERE WHARF

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 131, 4 March 1940, Page 5

KUTARERE WHARF

question of removal ** retention urged Mr W T- Burrett, agent for the Northern Steam Ship Company, ■waited on the Opotiki Borough Coun dl on Tuesday night, in connection with the proposal of the Opotiki •County Council to dispose oi the Kutarere wharf. Mr Burrett stated that his company had received notice from the Opotiki County Council of its intention to dismantle or •offer for sale, the Kutarere wnarf. The manager of the Northern Company looked or the question as a matter of more concern t:o the district than his company. It was only when the Opotiki harbour was blocked that the company made use •of the Kutarere wharf. The whaif had been provided by special loan; the Opotiki County being responsible for two-fifths of the payments, and the Whakatanc County threefifths. Th upkeep of the wharf was approximately £30. He suggested -that the borough council might be prepared to pay this amount and retain the wharf for the use of the district. He considered ilic borough could take over the care of the wharf. In any case the comities would still "have to pay the interest and sinking-fund on the loan. It Avas the matter of paying the £30 annually for upkeep that the counties objected to. There would be a certain amount of revenue over the wharf. The wharf Avas undoubtedly providing a facility for the district and it Avould be a pity to see it go. In his opinion the couuty Avas doing its share in paying of? the Avharf loan. It Avould be a pity to see the Avharf demolished. Cr Day suggested that the council Avrite to the Minister of Marine on the question of making a contribution to the cost of upkeep of the Kutarere Avharf. It was decided to write to the Opo tiki County Council and the Minister on the subject. Councillors considered it would be risky to jtake over the control of the Avharf. y.lt Avould be better to make a to year payment for upkeep. The opinion was also expressed that the wharf v/as serving a useful purpose to the whole district and that it Avas unreasonable to expect the County Council to keep on paying for upkeep, as the wharf AA T as unquestionably a "Avliite •elephant."