WHAREPOA FERRY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4985, 9 June 1926, Page 3

WHAREPOA FERRY.

CLOSING ON SUNDAY NEXT. FUTILE THAMES PROTEST. Actuated by a section of Whahepoa Roa,d settlers, a deputation from the Thames County Council waited upon the Ha,uraki Plains County Council’s ferry committee at Ngatea on Monday to endeavour to prevent it carrying into effect the decision of the council to close the Wharepoa, ferry on Sunday next. The Hauraki Plajns County was represented by Crs. E L. Wai toil (chairman), C. W. Harris, C. Parfitt, AV. Madgwick, J. C. Miller, and the clerk, Mr E. A. Mahoney, agul the Thames County by Crs. H. Lowe (chairman), D. Courtenay, J. McCormick, A- Alley, the engineer, Mr J. Higgins, and the clerk, Mr D. McKay. Mr Walton, in opening the conference, said that the Plains Council was always willing to meet other local, bodies in conference. The Haw raki Plains County had decided to close the ferry, and it understood that the Thames County desired to mafte representations in regard to keening the service open. Cr. Lowe said that the visit was the outcome of the previous conference in Thames, at which meeting it had been agreed that the matter of keeping the ferry open was one for the settlers of the district affected. It was then felt that the 'ferry ‘was not desired, and that the burden of maintaining the approach roads was too heavy. Personally he had been indifferent, but he felt that two ferries so close together were unwarranted. The Thames County was agreeable, if the Plains County thought it advisable to keep one ferry open, to bear its share. Since the matter had been brought up the. settlers on the Thames side had voiced strong opposition to the closing of the ferry. A poll had been taken, and had resulted in 36 votes in favour of keeping it open to. 24 against the proposal, In accordance .with its promise to the ratepayers the Thames! County Council therefore desired to formally protest against the closing of the service and to ask the Plains County towithhold its hand until such time as the Kirikiri bridge was opened. Cr. Madgwick asked Cr. Lowe if the Thames County Council would guarantee to keep the roads in good order. Cr. Lowe replied that the settlers had understood that they would have to do this. In reply to Cr. Walton CL Alley sajd he and his riding settlers were of opinion that the. Netherton feriy would be cheaper and better.

Cn. Walton said that the Plains County had run the ferry until it had received a request from tbe Turua Ratepayers’ Association to close it. If a poll was taken of the settlers of Turua and Hikutaia it wtould probably 'result in an overwhelming majority in favour of closing the ferry. The need for a ferry friom a county point, of view had passed away with the. provision of the Kofpu ferry, and the change from stock-raising to dairying on the Plains. Cr. Lowe agreed with this, but pointed out that a large group of Wha.repoa settlers desired the ferry. Continuing, Cr. Lowe said that the Thames County had secured a legal opinion to the effect that the Thames County could not close the 'ferry, apd that if it did' do so the Minister of Public Works could have it run and charge the cost to the county. Cr. Walton differed, and said that the Minister would probably have a commission set up. The Plains County would base its case on the question of the necessity of the continuation of the service. Cr. Lowe suggested asking the Public Works Department for an opinion. He pointed out that, a considerable body of settlers required the ferry, and in addition they had purchased their land on the understanding that it was on a direct road to Auckland. Cr. Walton pointed out .that the Netherton ferry would be reopened if the Wharepoa one was closed. Thus the Thames settlers would be getting a ferry at no cost, and the Netherton ferry would serve a larger number of Plains settlers than would the Wharepoa service. He did not think an opinion by an officer of the Public Works Department would be acceptable to the Plains County Council. It would not be the same as a commission, which would hear evidence. Cr. Alley (Hikutaia riding) favour 1 - ■qd the Netherton ferry, and Crs. Harris, Madgwick, Miller, and Parfitt voiced the opinion that the unanimous decision of the Plains council to close the ferry should not be departed from. Cr. Lowe, said that all the members df the Thamfes County Council, with the exception of Cr. Alley, were in favour of the ferry being kept open, provided the cost was borne by the riding and not by the whole county. This view was endorsed by Crs. McCormick and Courtenay.

Cr. Walton pointed out. thab if the Wharepoa ferry was closed the Netherton ferry would be opened, and this would confine the outside traffic to the maiii highway, on ylhich a £ for £ subsidy for maintenance was available. To bring the matter to an end Or. Harris moved, that the conference was agreeable to the Plains County closing the ferry on June 13. Cr. Lowe said tha,t he could not support the motion, as he had given his word to do all he could to have the ferry kept. open. He would like to see the Plains County defer closing th(e ferry for a. month to enable the Thames County to further discuss the matter. - Cr. McCormick said that the delegation had been given full power to act.

Cr. Miller said that he could not see any wisdom in deferring the decision for a month. The views off the Plains County were very well known, and it, was unlikely that the Thames County would change its opinion. Crs. Madgwick and Pai'tfit also opposed deferring the question; Cr. Lowe moved, as an amendment that the matter be deferred for a month to enable the views of the

settlers apd a legal opinion ,to be obtained. The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder, and the motion was carried on the voices. Cr. Lowe desired his vote recorded against the motion. Cr. Walton asked if the Thames County would sell its share in the ferry to the Ohinemuri County. Cr. Lowe said that the delegation had no power to act on that subject. Cr. Wa.lton said that he would suggest that the Ohinemuri County submit an offer to the Thames County. Cr. Madgwick asked if the Thames County would agree to the pontoon being removed from Whairepoa to Netherton as soon as possible after June 13, so that a crossing would be provided as quickly as possible. Cr. Walton said that the pontoon might be shifted without the knowledge of the Thames County, but such shifting would only be of a temporary nature, without a.ffecting the Thames County’s rights to compensation for its share Of the assets. The conference dosed with a vote of thanks to Cr. Walton for presiding.