COUNTY AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 85, 26 September 1947, Page 5

COUNTY AFFAIRS

SEPTEMBER MEETING OIIOPE PLANTATION RESERVES Mr J. L. Burnett presided at the September - meeting of the Whakatane County Council last Tuesday. Present: Crs. A. F. McGougan, L. W. Luxton, H. C. McCready, R. Butler, R. Wardlaw, G. Cawte, W. Hunter, R. Leslie. The Clerk (Mr C. G. Lucas) and Engineer (Mr C. H. Brebner) were also in attendance. The Ohope Progress League wrote requesting the Council to seek power to have those areas known asr plantation reserves on the survey* map placed under the control of the Council. Also that the Council stress the urgency of this action due to the danger these areas constitute as a fire hazard during the summer months. The application was referred to Cr McCready for report. Taneatua Footpaths The District Building Controller advised that the Building Construction Control Notice 21 is still in. force and this notice specifically excludes the use of cement for the purpose of footpath construction. In the circumstances, therefore, authority could not be granted for the purchase or use of eight tons of cement for the purpose stated. The County Engineer was instructed to keep the matter in hand, work to be done as soon as cement is released for work of this nature. Edgecumbe Tar-Sealing

The Public Works Department advised that however desirable it may be to have this length of highway sealed, as to whether any work can be attempted this year is a matter as to what plant, materials (especially chips) and labour were available. Forty-three miles of resealing came first and then the target the Main Highways Board wished to aim at in this district was fortythree miles of new sealing work. The Council’s application would not be overlooked, but it would be seen that the Department was endeavouring to undertake a very ambitous sealing programme.

The Council decided that the Edgecumbe School Committee be advised accordingly. Whakatane River Erosion Mr M. Ewart wrote the Council making application for protective willowing to be done on the Whakatane River boundary of his property. Eighteen months ago he was present when this erosion was inspected, the property then belonging to Mr J. S. Rae. It was understood that the Council undertook to do the work on a £2 for £1 basis. However, nothing had been done and further serious erosion has taken place. Mr Ewart will be advised that his' application should be made to the Public Works Department, Tauranga. Matahi Road The Opotiki County Council wrote agreeing to allow the Council to operate on those portions of the Matahi Road in the Opotiki County./ 4 It to be clearly understood that this permission is given on the under-?:: standing that construction and main-/ tenance work envisaged by the 1 Council is to be undertaken only during the period Whakatane Sawmillers Ltd. is carting timber on the road. Opotiki Council’s permission would be revoked on the cessation of operations by the company over this particular stretch of road. The Council further agreed to the retention by the Whakatane Council of all monies payable by the Sawmilling Coy. by reason of their cutting and cartage operations—such monies,, to be applied to the maintenance of the road. It was decided that the Whakatane Sawmillers Ltd. be asked if it had . secured the Native cutting rights, Matahi Road and that if the reply was in the affirmative, the County Engineer prepare Matahi Road repair estimate.