OHOPE ROAD GRAVEL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 37, 8 January 1943, Page 5

OHOPE ROAD GRAVEL

AN OUTSPOKEN CRITIC RATEPAYERS CHAIRMAN'S LETTER Writing the Whakatane County Council with reference to the use of gravel on Oh ope roads, Mr T. P. Dowling, president of the Oliope Ratepayers' Association, stated in a particularly outspoken letter:— "I have been informed by Mr McCready of the negotiations between the Council and the oAvner. Mr Mc-< Cready states the Council oiler 3d per yard royalty Avhilst Mr Carter demands fid per yard. Mr McCready gave me to understand he is in favour of you paying Mr Carter . liis price. I lniA'C consulted members of my executiA r c on this matter. On behalf of the. Ohopc ratepayers and Ohopc loading in particular, I wish to most strongly and. emphatically protest against, both of these proposals; for the following reasons: 1. It is absolutely essential that all possible pits in the Oliope area should be utilised for Oliope roads, the roads are. in a scandalous state for want of metal. 2. Ii am presuming that Mr Carter will allow you to remove gravel on conditions, these conditions might ultimately be more expensive than the metal or gravel. You might then naively tell us it Avas too expensive to do the necessary metalling-. 3. The site of the proposed pit at the present time is valueless, from any point of view. 4. The Avisest. thing to do iis ; to take, the necessary land under the Public Works Act. This method is fair to everyone concerned. On behalf of the Oliope ratepayers I strongly adA T ocate this method. I urge you not to delay or hesitate in this matter." A further matter mentioned by the Avriter Avas. in reference to «'i building recently erected at the beach, of which he wrote: "A. so-called garage has been erected here. It is an eyesore and no asset to Oliope. Why do the council allow such contraptions. It is to be hoped you will not allow its continuance." The council rcsoh~ed. that. Mr A. Sutherland be asked to make a valuation of Mr N. Carter's Ohope section upon Avhich the gra\"el pit Avas situated; the extent of Avhich is 1 acre 3 roods.