Landing Sheds.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 406, 19 March 1909, Page 2

Landing Sheds.

OPAHAU'S CLAIMS.

At the Council meeting on Saturday last Eng.neer Armstrong reported ou the question of landing ebeds aa fol 1 jwb:— *• I beg-to hand in herewith plans for the sheds at Oparau and Awaroa for approval. The cost of the Oparau shed is greater than was expected, due to the heavy cost of understaging necessary to raise the she I above flood leve l . There will also bi a charge of £l2 10s for making a road to the -'hed. 'I he sir lof r.hft she I was kopt down *■o 24ft x 10ft ir order to lessen the cost, so that a shed could be erected at the forjy also; but owing to thect jof the Oparau one being so yigh I have taken no stops in this ease until the Council i'id an opportunity to discuss tho Quertion. In eonnec tion with the Oyarau shed too little land has been taken or laid out the wrong way. The public road stands loft, higher than the floor level of the shod. This 15ft has to be disposed of .’inside two chains, giving a grade of 1 in 9. The sect’on should have extended at least one chain further back. The site of the fhed has been fixed as near the boundary as possible, so that no more could be wide of it. Referring to-the Awaroa shed it will be 30ft x 18ft. It is proposed to furaiph the sheds with cranes of a pat- ;rn similar to th.i one ou tha Kawhia wharf, limited to a load of 6cwt. There I will be two castings .van id for each crane, { pins for the crane pc,t, winches and some other gear, wb’ch I would rt /tnmead the Council to sn ply. ’ By so Coing a saving will be effected in he cost of patterns, as most likely eao 1 contractor wou'd go to a different shop for the eastings, thus requiring three or more uts of patterns where one set would do.'' •

Cr Noonan said that according to he report only one shed at Opariu was provided for, whereas the engineer was instructed to prepare plans for two. In was both uujust and unfair and he would move that the whole question be held over, as he would sooner see no shed at all than only one tit the top landing. If there was to be only one shed he would certainly vote that it be at the Ferry. Cr Elliott: How much money will be over after the works scheduled have been provided for ? The Chairman : The Kawhia wharf is to cost £1250, the Awaroa shed £l4O, the Kinohaku shed a little more, and tbe Oparau shed £l2O. This leaves a balance of £340, but there • will be extras. i The Engineer: If hewn piles are ' used i:he cost will exceed the estimate. : Or Noonan wished to know why tbe ! Oparau shed should only be granted £l2O and the other places more. The Chairman replied that the price j had been kept down with the object of ! erecting two sheds. Cr Not?: in said he would stick out i for the ferry, as it was the most impor- . tant lauding round tbe harbour and | should be considered first.

Co Jonathan agiaed that the ferry should 11 attended to, but thought there should be v .vo sheds at Oparau, Cr Da\ es said he almost felt inclined to second Cf Noonan’s proposal. Cc Noonan remarked that if any other councilor had any suggestions he would withdraw his motion. But he must have justice done to the ferry. Cr Dav.es suggested holding tbe matter over till next meeting so that efforts could bo made for tbe settlers to agree to one shed. Personally be did not mind where it was as it would be immaterial to him.

Cr Noonan said that not enough consideration had been given to this matter at the start, aj the schedule should have included the other places. At the last meeting the engineer was instructed to prepare plans for two sheds at Oparaa, and this has not been done.

Ci Ken ms: Whar s ihe distance between the two places ? Or Davies : About 100 chains.

Cr Kearns : Other places almost as important as Oparau cannot gee any money because th :y were not mentioned at first. These sheas are too close togethe •. Cr Ellio.t: Last year more stuff went there th j to the rest of tbe harbour.

In reply to an enquiry the Olerk said that now the most; goods went to Kinohaku. The Chairman said he thought that the position was not quite understood. When the loan was first spoken of the question of a shed at the top landing was never considered, for the simple reason that it was all native land. Or Elliott: So is the ferry. The Chairman replied that the shed could have been put on the road there. The member for Matakowhai said then that it was out of the question putting a shed at the top land. The old e juncil agreed to have one shed and that at the ferry. He understood that from the top landing to the ferry was only three-quarters-of a mile, and to spend £2BO at Dparau with the quantity of goods sent there as compared with other places around the harbour would be manifestly unfair. He was satisfied (and he did not want to hold up hi? end of the district more than it deserved) that there was far and away more stuff delivered at Kawhia South than any other part of the harbour. Zt was u f iir to lake away from the majority and give to ’he minority. It was three miles from Kinohaku to Lemon Point, and four to Kiwi Bay, both of which place? were cnH’lrd to ome consideration. If more money was spent at Opa -au it would be going away from what was originally intended. Or Armstrong represented to the people at Te Rau-a moa that the shed would ba at Lho ferry, consequently they supported the loan. To put two important .-died.? at Oparau would be unfair to the rest of the ratepayers. If the?e wants had been asked for before the schedule was prepared they could have been included

Davies • I£ tae Oparau people had thought that th'ets wag not to boa she i at the uppa* ’.auding they would hav* tn'Vvd to h<»re it ioohvlei. Or Jonathan understood that the original intention was to have the she'i at the top landing. At (hat time the road io thj ferry was' hot made, and a landing reserve had not been anrlind fnr . << V 4 muwh ; A aaou t»ii t>uij £» 14

□o use to ug. Ct Noonan said that when the loan was mentioned a petition was signed asking that the shod be at the terry, and also that a shed be erected at the Kauri. Cr Babbage: The petitions were not sent to the Council. Cr Noonan : Cr Armstrong gave me to understand that the shod 'wag to be built at the ferry. Cr Elliott: He did not give us to understand that. The Chairman said that it was the original intention to have one shed at each of the three places mentioned in 'he Just before the polling day the sot tiers on tho south side of the harbour said that the loan should have been larger, and if it wag not so late something might have been done. The rest of tbe ratepayers sat quiet and never said a word, notwithstanding the proposal was advertised for a month. Cr Elliott: But Oparau was mentioned. If you sent a totter to Oparau it would not go to the fsrry. Cr Noonan : There is not a place on the river known as Oparau. It is the name of the river. Cr Elliott: Yea there is. The Opa>au pah is past where ibe store is. Cr Kearns : It was only intended to build one shed. Cr Noonan : If there is a shed at all it must be at the ferry. Cr Jonathan said that at one time it : was discussed whether tha shed should ; be at the present landing or at the : willows further up. An error had i been made, and he did not see how i they could go past tbe ferry. The Chairman moved : “ That ! there ba one shed erected at Oparau, and chat at the ferry as originally intended.” The mover said that Oparau would not be in any worse position than any other place around the harbour, and cor’d either wait till money accumulated or raise a freub loan. The ferry was within the meaning of the special order, and the Te Rau a-moa trade must be catered for. Cr Noonan seconded the mdtion. Cr Jonathan said that he would rather have Cr Dav.es’ suggestion. If the Oparau settlers were to have a shed to benefit them ch- motion would wipe out their claims thereto, which would be against the wishes of the old Counc' l . He was in favour of the shed at the ferry and would not be against two sheds. Cr Elliott: The Oparau settiers have been misled. Tbe notice said a sbed at Oparau and 'hat’s where it should bs built. Cr Davies said it would be shameful to Oparau ratepayers if .he motion was carried. He did not obj set to a shed at the ferry. \ Cr Babbage moved as an amendment u L'hat a shed be Inilt at tbe ferry, and after providirg for the wharf and other sheds any surplus be devoted to a shed at the upper landing, the cost not to exceed £120.” Cr Kearns said that there were two important places at Kawhia South requiring sheds, and there would be mutiny over that side if two sheds were erected within a mile of each other.

I Cr Babbage objected to councillors patting one place against the other, to which Ct? Kearns replied that he felt his district was being neglected. The Chairman said that he did not wish to be misunderstood, but fair was fair in every matter. More golds wen through Kawhia South, both m and out, than any place on the harbour, excepting Kiwhia. as that place ' supplied resident in the Awakino and j Waitomo Counties also. When it was I decided to have a loan only one shad at I each place was mentioned. He was j not begrudging two sheds to Oparau, but the position was that councillors were taking .advantage of not having the locality fixed to get two sheds i built within a mile of each other. One councillor said that a shed at the ferry would be no use to him-whatever, but if he bad perishable goods he would find it was so. There was a good road to the ferry and when a horse was harnessed a couple of miles was not of much consequence. He protested emphatically against voting two lots of money when it was intended that only one lot should be spent. The amendment was seconded by | Cr Davies and carried, the voting be" I ing—For : Crs Babbage, Jonathan. | Elliott and Davies; against; Crs I Shaw, Noonan and Kearns. It was decided to call tenders, re- I turnable on April 25th, for the erec- j L’on of sheds at the ferry and Awaroa, ‘

Later on is the meeting an application was read from G H. Chase for a lease of a piece of ground near the Northern Go ’s shed, 15ft. x 21ft„ and asking what vent would be charged. Or Jonathan said he had thought of putting in a similar application some time ago, font thought it would be best to leave the sheds until the wharf was enlarged, then build them and lease them.

Or Babbage th night it a good idea. Or Ellio“t : Where L the money C iruing from ?

The Chairman : Out of the loan money.

Cr Elliott,; That maaus that wo , won’t get our shed at Opcrau, Cr Noonan moved and Or Shaw g Q j bonded “ That provisi mbe male I for the erection out of loan m moy of I six sheds along the approach to the i wharf, each 12ft. x 12ft., with hi Sft. ■ stud a gable roof, to be lease 1.”

Cr Davies said that this wa» a lux i ury, and thought more urgent works I were round the harbour where sheds | I were needed for the settlers’ wo >1 and I seed. Ha moveci That the matter he left over until the wharf j lo i provements were completed and the I shed at Oparau built.” The motion was eeciftiLd by Cr ■ Elliott, but was lost, only he ami Cr Davies voting foe it.

Mr R N«Mv. nn -,f ti. (> ~ O j. i Ud«W as WUaMagttftu, *

grant to put a shed and jetty at Kiwi Bay, as the settlers there intended supplying cream next season. Cr Kearns said that about 10 settlers were interested.

The Chairman said that Kiwi Bay was at the end of Te Maika road, and the settlers wonted to use the promise of a jetty as a lever U get the Government to complete the road. He believed that I i‘ely £5OO had been authorised for the work, and that 20 men were to be put on at once.

Cr Noonan: More money should have been raised by loan. Cr Kearns said that to the settlerthere this was _the in ist important work the whole County. It a pro raise was given that something would bs done next year that would be set\faoloiy.

Or Noonan ! t would like to he;p them, but as the position ot the endowment is can we make any promise ?

Cr Davies said that nothing definite was being asked for, and he waold like to sae these settlers helped in every way. But if all these works were undertaken where was the interest to pay the loan coming from ? It was eventually decided that the application be favourably entertained when funds are available MEETING AT OPAKAU. LEGAL ADVICE SUGGESTED. Aur eting to ditcres the ma*ter wty held at Oparau on W»-da ?sd iy after noon, wtco about a dozen persons a: tended, Mr Sobye being vo»,*d to the ! chair. Cr BiHolt said be was sorry to say that as far r i he coaid see they weie going to have trouble iu getting the j shed at Oparau, where at one time it whs expected a shed would be erected. ■ Liter on some persons wanted it at : the Ferry, and it was then understood • that there were to be two sheds. At | the last Council meeting plans for a shed at the upper lauding, to cost £l2O, were exhibited. Or Noonan said that they were trying to beat them tor the terry abed, and the chair ] man proposad that only one shed be erected at the ferry. He aud Cr ! Davies saw they were outvoted aud I comprised by accepting £l2O for a | shed at the top lauding out of the ‘ amount left over when the other ’ works were completrd, both staling that they did not wish to block the I shed at the terry. A letter was later ' on read from Mr Chase, and Cr Nou- • nan proposed that six sheds be erected ’ at ikawhia. This was doing away I with the money voted for their shed, i and overrode what had been previously passed. Ho had since heard that Oparau was to again get first position and ' that their sheds would be er.rtrd before the Kawhia. Some of the eoun- • ciliors argued that Oparau was at the I

• ferry, whilst the chairman said it was i never intended to build it at Opsrau . but at the ferry. Why then were the : plana got out- ? j Mr Scott : Did the Council give inj st ructions far the plans to be prepared? ] They are using our money new for what it was not intended—erecting I sheds at Kawhia. : Cr Elliott: Yes. Ido not want to i block the ferry shed and never tried to Mr Scott: I ’don’t think you are accused of that, bat Cr Davies is. Cr Elliott : I have been accused. Ex-Cr H. Armstrong said that when j the Harbour Board was first formed it I was decided to borrow £-500, which he ' at the time said was too little, but the j others thought that a larger loan I would not be carried. He then advo- '

cated one shed only, at the Ferry. When the loan was increased he asked for two sheds, £l2O being voted, half to be spent on each, and afterwards plans were ordered -for the one at Oparau. Cr Davies objected to the ferry abed, then the other members thought, that if there was only one shed it should be put in the position that would do the most good, and the ferry was chosen. That was bow Oparau wag beaten for their shed.

Mrs Elliott f The site should have been definitely selected. Mr Scott: The rate will never be collected.

Cr Eiliatt: But it might. Mr H. Armstrong: We’ll have to make the best of a bad job.

Mrs Elliott suggested taking legal advice on tbe matter, and it bjiug taken as a motion Mr C. Newton seconded it

Tbe Chairman said it must have been intended to build a shed at Oparau otherwise, plans would not have been prepared. Mr T. Newton: Why should Oparau take a back seat.

(Argument here took place as to where Oparau really was). Mr Armstrong said that if they went to law no good would be done. The more civil they were the better they would come off. Cr Elliott : We are not proposing to go to law.

Mr Annstriong : What is the use of getting advi-e if you don’t act on it.

Ur Elliott was not in favour of going to law. It would be well to ' get advise as it might be a doubtful posi. tion expending money at the ferry and the councillors might be personally responsible.

After farther di-cussion, in which oc:a.sioually biiterne-Js was displayed, it was.decided that the councillors b met at (he 1* irracr/ Union Picnic on the 20 th iuat. by a deputation of Opa-

»*uu ratepayers asking that provision be made tor the shed, and also asking that, the area of tbe lauding reserve be increased.

Space cannot be found for a report of the Kawhia County Council meet, mg held on Saturday last.

The engagement is announced of Mr Vincent A. M'Caadle, sou of tb. Hon. W. M‘Card!e 3 M.L.C., of Auck2 land, to Miss Florence Thomson, of Wellington, and formerly of Kawfaia. Wednesday was an ideal day f O r a • oicnic, and on that day th-' aunoil Oparau school picnic was L i( j I the attendance of children, div » ! and friends beiag num.-roua. i i-: iiresiles bad a wants (which appeared to ; ta v ) being carefnlly attended to by a J of busy ladies, whilst rac-s . <? . iu -»s weie arranged by sots* of the P*. men. Dating the uf»crno n valuab'e priz 8 won by ;h- c . dur lU »f u e ye>r were pn-ecou-d :>•. _\lr J G .