COUNTY COUNCIL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 35, 30 May 1947, Page 5

COUNTY COUNCIL

MAY MEETING ITEMS FROM BUSINESS The May meeting of the Whakatane County Council was held on Tuesday. Present: Crs. J. L. Burnett (chair), A. F. McGougan, L. W. Buxton, W. A. McCracken, H. C. McCready, D. C. Butler, R. F. Wardlaw, R. C. Leslie, W. Hunter and T. G. H. Cawte. Messrs. C. G. Lucas (Clerk) and C. H. Brebner (Engineer) were in attendance. Items from the business were as follows: Te Teko-Galate'a Road A letter was received from the Public Works Department stating that the proposals covering the raising above flood level and metalling of approximately 10 chains of the Te Teko-Galatea road at an estimated cost of £2lO 5s had been approved. The Department was prepared to subsidise this work to the extent of £IOO (£1 for £1) out of an authority 5.27/482 already held for "the construction of a river gauging station on the Rangitaiki River near Luke’s entrance.

It was resolved that the subsidy .be accepted.

Parking Area, Edgecumbe

The Farmers’ Co-op. Auctioneering Co. Ltd. referring to the council’s request that Hamilton representatives meet the Works Committee stated that the Company was ex--ceptionally busy with clearing sales but could arrange for the Whakatane agent to be present on the suggested date. The Company wrote .fo its Whakatane agent some time ■ ago, but advised him that it did not 'consider the Company should share the expense of making a parking ;area on the road, as it has already provided a certain amount of car parking space in the saleyards grounds. Recommended that consideration be deferred until the Hamilton representative of the Farmers’ Co-op. Auctioneering Co. Ltd. was able to .confer with the Works Committee. Councillors were of the opinion -that a larger area inside was the only solution. The two members in whose riding the area is were granted permission to attend the conference. Galatea Estate Roads Rotorua R.S.A. (Murupara-Gala-tea Sub-Branch): At a committee meeting held on 4th May the secretary was instructed to write and ask the council to protest to the P.W.D. about the Department failing to proceed with the erection of a bridge ever the “Wash” situated on part of the Tarawa Road, on the Galatea [Estate. The reason for the protest is that in 1948 (immediately if it can be arranged) the Railroad Services will station a bus at Galatea rfor the conveyance of school children to and from school. One of the -conditions however, is that when the time schedule is arranged, the bus is not to go over the “wash” or any other creek unless it is bridged. It is understood that the roads are [being formed and metalled with a view to handing them over to the council and it seems a pity not to finish the job properly and do the mecessary bridging. Recommended that a copy of the letter be referred to the Honourable Minister of Works—that applicants be advised of the action the council [has taken.

Cobbe’s Quarry

Mrs R. M. Cobbe wrote bringing the council’s notice to the dangerous condition in which the quarry has been left by his predecessor. The tree which he partly cut was moving and might set up a slip that would do considerable damage. The road had been left covered with feet of spoil, and as the section to which it gave access had been sold, the new owner wanted it -cleaned up at once and the water turned off the land. A large rock was left on the edge of this road and in the last rains it came down -damaging fruit trees and landed in three small native trees, possibly thereby saving thp lives of residents ■on the beach underneath. The roof ■of the writer’s house and outbuildings were damaged and leaked. The “builder stated that it would cost a considerable sum to relay them and make them water-tight; Although the council employees removed thousands of yards from the quarry, they had never caused any damage and there was no excise for the contractor’s carelessness. He had not at any time attempted or offered to put the .above matters in order. • The County Engineer reported that on the 9th May a copy of Mrs -Cobbe’s letter had been sent to Mr Semmens who waited on the committee. It was resolved that Mrs Cobbe be advised the council recognised no in the matter.

Road Royalty

A letter was received from J. Moulden in support of his application of the 7th May regarding transporting pine logs from Ruatoki to Whakatane for Whakatane Sawmillers Ltd. giving further information in regard to the type of vehicles and load weights proposed on account of the condition of the TaneatuaOpouriao traffic bridge. The vehicle is a four-wheel rear wheel type with a tare weight of 2 ton 12cwt., the trailer is a single axle dual wheel with a tare weight of 18cwt. making an overall weight of 3 ton 10 cwt. The load carried will be approximately 2000 cubic feet, being a weight of 5 tons, therefore the whole laden weight with truck, trailer and load will be approximately 8-2- tons spread over three axles. If it is convenient, the writer would like Mr Carling to give him a weight reading. The County Clerk reported the permitted loading on Wainui Bridge at Taneatua was: 2 axles, 5 tons gros with not more than 4 tons rear axle; multi-axled, 3|- tons per axle. It was resolved that extraordinary cartage be permitted to 3| tons per axle, royalty 2d per 100 super feet, provided heavy traffic fees are not offset.

Pekatahi Gravel Contract The contractor for this work stated' that if the ballast train was to be operated three days a week he did not wish to tender for the work. The Railways Department was doing its best to run the train on five days a week but was severely handicapped by the shortage of waggons. Taneatua Truss Bridge A discussion on the Taneatua Truss Bridge took place. Several Councillors were in favour of replacing the bridge altogether and stated that the first big flood would take the existing structure away unless measures such as the driving of piles upstream were taken. The engineer stated that if the bridge fell down he did not think materials for a new one would be 'available. It was decided that tenders be called for the work of repairing the bridge. Name of Thornton

Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., enclosing letter from the Chairman of the N.Z. Geographic Board in regard to the renaming of Thornton. It was requested that the Riding Member, together with the residents of Thornton, consider this matter. Chairman, N.Z. Geographic Board (24th April)—a suggestion has been made to the Board that, in order to avoid any confusion which might arise owing to the similarity of the names Thorndon (Wellington), Thornton (Bay of Plenty) and Thornton’s Bay (near Thames), the latter tvyo names should be altered. Before doing anything in this matter, the opinion of the residents of the district is desired. It was stated that as far as could be ascertained very little confusion resulted from the similarity in these names apart from an occasional letter which went astray. It was resolved that the possibility of confusion in the names Thorndon and Thornton is not such as warrants altering the name of Thornton. . Murupara Cemetery Medical Officer of Health advising that by Gazette Notice published on 2nd April, 1947, Section 45, Block XIII, Galatea Survey District comprising two acres, has been permanently reserved for cemetery purposes which stated that the question " had arisen as regards the appointment of trustees and that it was understood that the council does not desire to be appointed as trustees, but would be willing to accept the power of appointing trustees. It was resolved that the council advise the Medical Officer of Health it is prepared to appoint Murupara Cemetery trustees. Matata Quarry Site A letter was received from Mr C. W. Moore stating that he understood that Mr Burt had cancelled his lease of the quarry site and if so, the writer desired to take a lease. It was understood that the rent was £2 10s per annum. If the writer had a lease, he- would be able to stop the boys playing in dangerous places in the quarry, and also see that no unauthorised person took metal.

■lt was resolved that in consideration of Mr Moore acting: as Matata pit custodian at the council’s pleasure, lease .be granted at a rental of £2 10s and' that the County Engineer report on ownership and value of the road fence.

(Owing to the extreme pressure on space we are obliged to hold over the rest of this report until our next issue).