ACCESS TO SAWMILLS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 39, 11 June 1947, Page 5

ACCESS TO SAWMILLS

MINISTER’S KEEN INTEREST Better access to four sawmills in the Minganui valley was one of the matters which the council wished to put before the Minister, said Mr Burnett. Seven miles of road would cost about £IO,OOO, according to a recent estimate. This was too big a job for the Whakatane -County to undertake without assistance. The only road to the sawmills was twisty and dangerous. It was expected that 32,000 feet of timber would be brought out from' the mills daily. One of the mills was a co-operative venture in which 14 ex-servicemen were working.

Mr Semple: It is a matter that is Wrapped up with the work of the Forestry Department. We will have .to have consultations with the Forestry Department. I will take the matter up with my engineers and strike a bargain with the Forestry Department.

We want timber. We are 70,000,000 feet of timbef short today. Mr Burnett said the council was pleased to hear that the Minister ' proposed to push the matter. Mr Semple: Of course, the council will help from the monetary point of view. You have a few bob for this work, haven’t you? (Laughter). > Matahina Road Refering to the road to Matahina, Mr Burnett said that no doubt the f - Minister had gone into the matter of this access-road which the council had brought to his notice in Wellington. This road was in need of improvement to facilitate the bringing out of pulping timber and also to assist in the setting up of a mill. Mr Semple said this road was one of the projects on the 10-year plan.