COUNTY COUNCIL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 151, 24 April 1940, Page 5

COUNTY COUNCIL

MATTERS AT OHOPE REFERENCE TO LATE PRIME MINISTER The Whakatane County Council met yesterday, Mr J. L. Burnett presiding over Councillors A. F,. McGougan, L. W. Lux ton, W. A. McCracken, H. C. McCready, R. F. Wardlaw, C. T. Smith, D. W. Spence T. G. H. Cawte and F. J. Burt. The Chairman referred to the death of the Right Honourable M. J. Savage since the last meeting of the Council and the Council stood in silence as a mark of respect. The following resolution was passed: That the Council convey to the Government its regret in t!he death of the Right Honourable M. J. Savage and that the Government be respectfully requested to convey the Coun- I cil's sentiments herein to the relatives of the deceased. Mr Burnett spoke then of the death at Kutarere of Mr Michael O'Reilly, who many years ago was Waimana riding member on the Council. Members stood in silence. Ohope Matters. In the minutes of the Finance Committee's meeting it was stated that a letter had been received from the Hon. Secretary of the Ohope Progress and Ratepayers League advising that a committee of tihe League wished to approach the Coun cil on several matters relative to the progress of the Ohope settlement. The League was grateful to the Council for what it had done in the past and members noted with satisfaction that work was in progress on the northern strip of frontage road. The new projects the League had in mind were that the southern camping reserve be planted in suitable trees and put in order for next sea- 1 son; that steps be taken to have the ! grass on the central picnic-ground cut; and that the Council impose a limit of 20 m.p.h. on all using the beach between Bluett's Creek and the northern point,.

It was recommended by the Finance Committee that the first tiwo items be referred to the Works Com mlttee and that a By-law be framed in respect of the third limiting speed to 20 m.p.h. and by resolution of the Council prohibiting motor vehicles on selected areas of the beach or the whole of the Whakatane County section of the beach during functions or for any special period, prohibition to be notified by notices placed on the beach.

Question of Caretaker. During the ensuing discussion Cr McCready said that the grass should have been cut months ago. The Councillor also said that some fill 4 ing which had been done at the pic-nic-ground had been done with rock and it was impossible to grow grass on the area. Cr McCready mentioned the disgraceful state of the public conveniences and said that Mr Mahy had volunteered to lock the buildings at night and re-open it in the morning. [ Cr Spence said Mr Mahy's offer was much appreciated but it should be possible for the Council to take a step further and not have to impose on Mr Mahy's generosity. It was desirable to make some arrangements for keeping the buildings in good order. The buildings would not be a credit to the Council unless kept in the proper manner The matters were noted for investigation by the Works Committee.