WHAREPOA FERRY ROAD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4490, 10 November 1922, Page 2

WHAREPOA FERRY ROAD.

GREATLY INCREASED TRAFFIC.

At Wednesday’s meeting the Thames County Council received a letter from the Public Works Minister, who, replying to the Council’s application for a grant towards the Wharepoa Ferry Road, stated that the matter had been reported upon by the district engineer and carefully considered. He regretted, however, that hp could not see any way to authorise a Government contribution towards the cost pf. -reinstating the road. From the district engineer’s report it appeared that the present traffic over this road was about two and a half times greater than ip normal times, this being due to .the condition of the Paeroa- Netherton road and the consequent diversion of! Hauli raki Plains' traffic to the Wharepoa Ferry road, It would appear, therefore, that the Council might be able to substantiate a claim against the Hauraki Plains County for a contribution towards the cost of the work, and it was pointed out that for the purpose machinery, was provided in the Public Works Act for the apportionment of cost pf maintenance by Governor's’ warrant.

The chairman, Cr. H, Lowe, said it was quite dear that the Government did not intend assisting on account of the deviation of the traffic to the Hauraki Plains. They had used their own roads until they jfreire practically impassable, and now were using the Thames roads. The Thames County Council could cite the Hauraki Plains for the use of the roads. They were, all, however, up against the same thing, and they Would be continually fighting over it. It would be better if they could come to some decision in connection with their, boundary roads. The whole thing bristled with difficulties’. In the future, he believed, the Wharepoa ferry would not be required nearly so muejb, except from Ohinemuri, owing to the use of the Kopu ferry. They woujld have to take into consideration ways’ and means for the upkeep of those ferries. He had communicated with the Mayor of Thames and the chairman of the Hauraki Plains County Council resardin?; the upkeep of the Kopu ferry, and perhaps by the next meeting he may be in a position to make a further statement.

Or. Brunton said that every sixth truck that came to the Wharepoa station was for the Haurak.i Plains. There was some very heavy traffic. They should point out . that some of t'he heavy traffic was from the Whare-i poa ferry to the Plains. Something should be done to the Wharepoa rbad this coming summer. If the Wharepoa ferry was not paying it should be. A tally of the traffic over the ferry should be taken'. The chairman said information for the Hauraki Plains County stated that the traffic had been reduced. Cr. Faithfull said the Council should restrict the weight of the loads over the roads. Some of the loads, fie said were too heavy. Cr. McCormick: It would be a flair thing to ask them to pay a portioh of the maintenance. The chairman said that it would be much better to settle those matters amicably rather than by compulsion. He moved that the matter and matters in connection with approaches to ferries be gone into with the Ham raid Plains County Council. The motiojn was carried.