Disappointing Letter From Minister Of Works To Borough Council: Cherished Hopes Recede

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 37, 13 April 1948, Page 5

Disappointing Letter From Minister Of Works To Borough Council: Cherished Hopes Recede

“Due ot the many other urgent works on the Post and Telegraph Department’s building programme, the shortage of architectural services and the material and labour supply position, it has not been possible to commence the new Post Office building. Some of the Post and Telegraph Department’s projects ranking even higher in priority than this building have had' to be deferred because of current conditions.

“To ease the position at Whakatane until such time as a new post -office can be commenced, separate temporary accommodation was provided for the Savings Bank and other accounting functions in October, 1947, while additional temporary, accommodation is nearing completion for a new telephone exchange. As soon as this latter building is ready the installation of a modern manual switchboard will be ■commenced, and this equipment will be capable of serving up to 1,000 subscribers, with provision for •extension to 1,300 subscribers if necessary. The equipment to be installed is up-to-date in every respect and will provide first-class telephone . service for local subscribers. “The Post and Telegraph Department has not in any way changed its opinion that a new post office at Whakatane is one of the most urgently needed post office buildings, but it does not give it precedence ■ over some of the places which lost their post offices in the earthquake •of 1942 and where the functions of the post offices are being carried • out under less favourable conditions than at Whakatane.

“In the meantime, a revision of the original plans has taken place and the preparation of the drawings has not yet reached the stage where a copy can be made available for perusal by your Council, though a copy will be made available for sighting in due course. “Taking a realistic view of the position, the Post and Telegraph Department considers that it would be idle to encourage the hope that the new post office building can be commenced during the coming financial year. Water Supply “It is not Government policy to have investigations of water supply problems for Borough Councils carried out by officers of the Public Works Department, and I regret therefore that‘ I cannot accede to your request that an officer be instructed to investigate the possibilities of the Wainui-te-Whara Stream as a supplementary source of water supply combined with a reduction of flooding. On the information supplied in your letter there do not appear to be any special features whih would warrant this policy being departed from so far as your Council is concerned.

Housing Problem “Contracts have recently been let involving 20 housing units, and although difficulty is experienced in interesting contractors to tender for State rental houses in Whakatane it is proposed to site a further contract and advertise for tenders in' the near future.

Whakatane River Bridge “The protective works near the Whakatane Bridge have been undertaken on lines advocated by the Engineer to the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, and they are considered to be the responsibility of that body. The Main Highways Board has considered the threat to the bridge approach, and has been guided in the matter largely by the Soil Conservation Council.

Deep gloom descended on the Whakatane Borough Council last week when a long letter in reply to a batch of inquiries sent to the Commissioner of Works last December was read. Mr Semple himself replied, and skittled many of the Council’s cherished hopes intp a hazy middle distance. The Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, called it “very disappointing.” It is. > Here is the letter:—

“The position is not considered sufficiently serious to warrant the immediate reconstruction of the bridge as, although admittedly it should be reconstructed at a fairly early date, there are many more highway bridges in the Dominion in a much worse condition. With the existing shortages of steel and cement it is likely. to be some years before the construction of the new bridge can be undertaken. Paeroa-Whakatane Highway “The route of this Highway as advocated by your Council has been noted and I have arranged that Mr Cox will confer with Mr Hanson, Engineer to the Main Highways Board, to see that the views of these two officers are co-ordinated. “Since the construction of the new bridge cannot be undertaken for some years, this matter does not appear to demand urgent action. A Town Planning “Following upon Mr Cox’s visit to Whakatane and his conferences with you and your Council, further investigations of certain development proposals in the surrounding district are being made. In the meantime a copy of the record of the discussion of the specific problems raised by your Council could be made available on a confidential basis. The preparation of a fully coordinated town planning scheme will entail a, great deal more basic survey and study, and I understand that your Council, has asked for assistance from the Design Staff of the Planning Division of the Ministry of Works in connection with this work. Would you please confirm this request direct to the Commissioner of Works. Relief From Flooding

“The provision of additional waterway at the bridge over the Wairere Stream on the WhakataneWhakatane Wharf Main Highway has been considered by the Main Highways Board, and no doubt you will have received communication from it through its representative. Aerodrome For Whakatane “Some months ago the Government set up an Aerodrome Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Leonard Isitt, with the Chief of Air Staff, the Director of Civil Aviation, and the Commissioner of Works as members. This committee will make recommendations as to what aerodromes should be constructed, to what standard, and their priority rating.

“To date no survey has been made of the area proposed for the Whakatane Aerodrome, and in the circumstances I consider that the opinion of the Aerodrome Committee should be obtained before such a survey is made.” “Haven’t Got Far, Have We?” ■; “Well, we haven’t got very far, have we?” said Mr Barry, breaking the grim silence after the letter had been read. “It Seems we’ve slipped back a bit.” ■ Cr H. G. Warren said they should find out what the Minister had said at the., public meeting on his tenyear plan. The Council then agreed to write the Minister, asking him what Post Offices had priority, reminding him of his own statemehts on the tenyear plan, pointing out the needs of a rapidly increasing population and reminding him •of his assurances that temporary buildings would not prejudice the provision of new buildings. *