WHAREPOA FERRY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4684, 7 April 1924, Page 2

WHAREPOA FERRY.

local bodies agree. EQUAi. SHARE OF MAINTENANCE. .At Thursday’s meeting of the Thames County Council a deputation from the Hauraki Plains County Council, comprising Crs. J. C. Miller and .1, H. Nicholson and the county ckrk, Mr E. Walton, attended In reference to the re-establishment of thi Wnarepoa ferry across the Waihou River. G'r. J. C. Miller said that the ferry was tow out of commission, and had been t eported upon as unsafe. The punt was laid up as beyond repair, and as it was important to have ths ferry running the council had made arrangements for another suitable punt. The Thames County, which was an equal partner, was now asked to endorse the action. Mr Walton read particulars of the. punt proposed to be purchased for £62 id. He stated that the engineer and Cr Hayward had inspected the pontoo’.; and reported that it would be suitable when minor repairs had been made. A boatbuilder of Auckland had reported that the repairs would cost £55. The timber was in good order, and the puiit only requited recaulking. hTe engineer had estimated that the cost of putting the ferry "nto commission would be about £lso’. Cr. Nicholson stressed the necessity for the new ferry. Cr. Lowe expressed surprise at the )pw cost of getting a new ferry. In his opinion the line of communication should be maintained, and he thought his council would agree without dissent. Crs. McCormick. Cribb, and Co< congrmulated the Plains County cn - -uch a bargain, and expressed the opinion that the ferry should be maintained. Cr. Brunton agreed, but pointed out the bad .state -of the Whareppa ferry road, caused by heavy traffic from the Plains. In his opinion some arrangement should be arrived at to maintain the approach road. Cr. Lowe said that the Plains County had the hearty support of the Thames County in reopening the ferry.

In regard to the maintenance of the road, Cr. Lowe suggested that a by-law should be made making the owners of heavy traffic using the ferry pay something for the maintenance of the roads. Ur. Miller said his council felt that it should do a little towards the road, but desired to know the limit.

Cr. Brunton suggested that the Plains County become responsible for the road from the wharf to the ferry. f ’r. Miller thought that was too much, and suggested that £5O each would be fair. Cr. McCormick thought it a very fair offer. Cr. Brunton said that some of the £lOO would have to be spent on Townsend Road. Cr. Nicholson said that if tho Thames County made heavy traffic by-laws similar to those of the Plains County it would be amply repaid. Cr. Miller tlianked the council for its hearing and the deputation withdrew. Cr. Lowe moved that the council agree to the Plains Council's offer- to fix up the ferry and to charge the ferry account with £lOO worth of work, to be done on Wharepoa and Townsend roads. He stated that at the end of the year any deficit on the ferry account would be made up equally by the two counties. If the improvement to the road, induced an increase of traffic there might be no necessity for either body to pay £5O. The motion was seconded by Cr. McCormick and carried unanimously.