COUNTY MATTERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 30, 27 September 1946, Page 5

COUNTY MATTERS

SEPTEMBER MEETING OF COUNCIL

KUTARERE WHARF The monthly meeting of the Whakatane County Council took place last Tuesday, the Chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett, and Crs F. J. Burt, G. Cawte, W. Hunter, R. Leslie, R. Wardlaw, D. C. Butler, H. C. McCready, W. A. McCracken, L. Luxton and A. McGougan being present.

The matter of the Kutarere wharf was raised in a joint letter from the Northern Steamship Co. Ltd., addressed to Opotiki and Whakatane County Councils which two bodies, it was understood, had a financial interest in the project. Kutarere, the letter pointed out, was a necessary adjunct to the ports of Opotiki and Whakatane, and at the present time there was a definite danger to motor traffic using the wharf approaches. These it was- suggested, should be repaired, and the work should be of a more permanent nature than that put into it in the past.

It was decided that the Chairman, with Crs Wardlaw, the County Engineer and the County Clerk should form a committee to discuss the matter with a committee from Opotiki. ,

Wainui Main Highway A letter from the Minister of Works was received with regard to the Wainui Main Highway-Ohope

Deviation, stating that the survey t had now been completed, and when plans and detailed estimates had been prepared, the question of proceeding with the work should be a matter for discussion between the Council and the Main Highways Board. . 7 * It. was decided to advise the Wainui ” settlers accordingly, and to write thanking the Minister for his action. ' • Waioho Trees The tender of £ls submitted by Mr D. P. Bunyon for a number of trees at Waioho was accepted with the reservation that the trees be eleared up within three months.

Road Metalling

In order to secure regular supplies of. pulping timber, the Whakatane Paper Mills, it was intimated, needed approximately seven and a half miles of metalling On the Te TekoFort Falatea Road. The Company had re-opened this road, and had expended considerable sums on its maintenance. The estimated cost of crushing and laying the metal was £IO,OOO. It was resolved that application be made for a £5 for £1 subsidy to undertake the work.

Ruatoki Roads

The Engineer’s (Mr C. H. Brebner) report contained information to the effect that a survey of the Ruatoki reading had been carried out, and it was estimated that nearly £41,000 would be required to bring these roads and bridges up to County standard. Without exception they were of a low standard; the roads required widening and metalling with the provision of new culverts, the lengthening of existing culverts, * and the rebuilding of existing bridges. The annual maintenance cost of the 40 miles of road, based on the average County cost of £25 per mile would be £I,OOO per annum. It was decided to advise the Native Department accordingly.

Taneatua Petrol Pump

The petrol pump license of £2 10s for 15 months was received from Mr Peter Anderson of Taneatua, and it was decided to grant the license at an annual fee of £2. . ) Speeding ait Ohope A request was to hand from the Ohope Progress League requesting that drastic action be taken by Traffic Inspectors against motorists speeding on Ohope Beach. The Council agreed, to issue the necessary instructions to Inspector Sharpe (Traffic Department) and Inspector Carling.