OHOPE INTERESTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 289, 31 March 1941, Page 5

OHOPE INTERESTS

PROGRESS AND RATEPAYERS LEAGUE ROAD QUESTION SHELVED A well attended meeting of the Ohope Progress and Ratepayers League took place in the Captain's Cabin Hall, Ohope, last Thursday evening, the president, Mr A. J. Canning, being in the chair.

The letter from the County Council indicating that it was not disposed to take any further action towards the dedication of the Northern access road (I to 58) was read and discussed, the chairman being subjected to continual interruptions during the course of his comments by Mr Giles.

Mr Canning considered the council had not 'the backbone of a whitebait' and definitely not the interests of Ohope at heart. He criticised the weak-kneed policy of shelving an action which he claimed was the council's obvious duty. All section owners had the right to the frontage of the beach yet because one man chose to deliberately ignore the terms of his agreement and flout all the other ratepayers the road could not be dedicated. Mr Webb claimed that all section holders appeared satisfied and therefore the county had no say in the matter. Mr Giles interjecting spoke of the 'big four' but refused to continue when giving the opportunity to speak. Mr Dowling suggested that the solution lay in a conference between all parties at which Mr Runnerstrum could be invited to make some contribution towards diverting the road so that it did not interfere with his garden. Mr Sullivan in moving that the matter be deferred meanwhile said he would have Avelcomed the presence of others who were opposed to the move for dedication. He commended Mr Giles on coming forward with his criticism and regretted thaiothers had not followed suit. He briefly sketched the history of the whole movement and spoke from the point of view of the progress of the beach. Mr McFarland also spoke on the earlier days of Ohope. The motion was then carried without comment. Picnic Ground Seats. Reports were submitted by the secretary and Mr Kennedy on the proposed seats on the picnic ground. These were well in hand and would be erected before next meeting. Owing to the wet nature of the ground it was considered impossible to do anything towards working up a sports meeting for Easter. The matter however will be held for consideration and it is hoped with the co-operation of Mr H. C. Kennedy to inaugurate a junior sports club for the purpose of conducting periodic sports meetings.

Tarsealing of Road. The Chamber of Commerce sought support for their representations to the Borough and County Councils to have the Ohope Road tarsealed. This matter was discussed and it was decided to comply with the request and give the matter the fullest support. The League will also write to the District Engineer urging that monies be made available for tarsealing at least portion of this highway. Constitution. The secretary submitted a set of proposed rules for the adoption of the meeting in order to create a constitution necessary for incorporation of the League. It was decided to leave these on view at Mr Maliy's store, and present them for formal adoption at the forthcoming annual meeting which will take place next month. Representations to Council. It was decided to draw the County Council's attention to the manner in which horses were being ridden over the newly-formed footpaths and to urge that steps be taken to put an end to the practice. The state of the footbridges was also referred to the council and improvements for.

Before concluding, the chairman welcomed the newly-elected chairman of the Ohope Domain Board and ensured him of the fullest cooperation, of the League in all things appertaining to the progress of the beach. Mr Langhton responded congratulating the League on what it had already accomplished.