JUNE MEETING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 46, 27 June 1947, Page 5

JUNE MEETING

MANY RIDING MATTERS WORK DURING MONTH The June meeting of the Whakatane County Council was held on Tuesday. Present Crs. J. L. Burnett (chairman), A. F. McGougan, L. W. Luxton, 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. Wainui Main Highway The Engineer reported that a traverse of that portion of the Wainui Main Highway from the junction of the Mokorua Road to the Ohope turnoff was recently run. A new •centre line was plotted on the plan produced from the traverse and this is now being pegged on the ground. A longitudinal section will then be prepared and the proposed new line finalised with the Main Highways Board.

In its total length only two curves will be necessary, one of 20 chains radius and one of 10 chains. The work will be spread over several years and the length of time taken will depend upon the amount of money made available by the Highways Board each year. Bailey Bridge

On account of being placed upon fresh filling, the Bailey Bridge spanning the Whirinaki River has settled some inches particularly at the 'Galatea end. The bridge will be jack>ed up and packed with hardwood next week. Rewatu Road Had it not been for the rain, the formation work on the Rewatu Road would now be finished. Taking all things into consideration, good progress has been made. - Ilerepuru Road

The completion of this contract has been delayed on account of the weather. The contractor will be resuming work on Monday, June 23, weather permitting. East Bank North Road Reforming and rock filling work is in progress fronting the Rangitaiki Plains Dairy Factory at Edgecumbe in preparation for sealing -work. Mail Service to Murupara Writing on the subject of the mail service from Whakatane to Kopuriki, Galatea to Murupara, the Chief Postmaster, Thames, advised that the council’s request has been examined by Head Office, but in view of the small volume of correspondence involved, the making up of a closed mail for Galatea and Murupara is not warranted. In the circumstances it is regretted that the request cannot be approved. The letter was received. Pukaahu Hot Springs

The Works Committee which had drawn up terms of a lease of the Pukaahu Hot Springs property recommended that the conditions be referred to the Lands and Survey Department for approval. The council in its capacity as the Pukaahu Hot Springs . Domain Board desires the lessee to lay down the area outside the fenced-in hot springs reserve in permanent pasture. Councillors studied the 13 clauses of the proposed lease and considered them satisfactory. Bridge at Galatea ,> ’ The Public Works Department forwarded a letter regarding the Whirinaki Bridge, Galatea, as follows: “It is realised that the council could not have erected a new bridge at Galatea since 1944 on account of the lack of manpower and materials, quite apart from the fact that plans have not yet been prepared. It appears, therefore, to be a case for remission of hire charges in regard to this Bailey Bridge but the Department has under consideration the charging of a hire rate of £4O per month to date from June 1, 1946, such charge to remain until the reconstruction of this bridge is possible.”

The council instructed the Engineer to report to the council what the position is regarding the preparation of plans for the Whirinaki Bridge. The County Clerk is to make an appointment for the county chairman to confer in Wellington on July 14 with the Minister of Works and Bngineer-in-Chief. The chairman explained that several designs for this bridge had been -discussed. The District Engineer was -opposed to a low level bridge, and no decision had been reached as to the width of the new bridge. The -county could not draw up plans until finality had been reached as to

the type of bridge required. The county had asked for a copy of the standard plans of the Department, but these had not come to hand. Minganui Valley Road After a discussion regarding Minganui Valley Road, which gives access to sawmills at Te Whaiti, the council passed.a resolution: “That the county attend to temporary repairs to Minganui Road and advise Messrs. Henderson and Pollard Ltd. that the matter of securing a Government grant for the road is still before the P.W.D.

This question of improvements to Minganui Road was one of the matters which the council brought to the attention of the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, at Whakatane earlier in the month. The Minister promised to investigate the matter. In discussion Cr Cawte urged that the road should have attention. Some of those using the road had accused him of being # responsible for holding up the work of improvement to the road. Ohope Stream Crossing Cr McCready asked if the engineer could make some temporary improvement to the crossing of the stream near the Captain’s Cabin in order to keep a better surface for most of the year. The engineer undertook to report on the cost of a culvert at next meeting.

Cost of Health Inspection Correspondence regarding the cost to counties of health inspection services was received from the N.Z. Counties’ Association. The suggestion was of a levy on the basis of 5d per head, and where there were more than 100 Maoris in the county—as in most North Island counties—that the levy on Maoris be reduced proportionately to the percentage of rates paid by them in the previous year. The chairman thought that under the proposed basis of payment the Whakatane County might pay a little less. The Clerk estimated that if the county collected its full Native rates it would cost £3O more, but on the basis of collecting only 50 per cent, of Native rates the county would break even. The council decided to advise the Ward Counties that it supports the suggested levy of the Counties’ Association. The Whakatane and Opotiki Borough Councils are also to be advised of this.