CONTROL OF WHARF

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 30, 6 May 1938, Page 2

CONTROL OF WHARF

COUNTY WANTS REPRE-

SENTATION

DEPARTMENT TO BE APPROACHED

During the meeting of the. Opotiki County Council this morning, Mr A. E. Martin brought forward the subject of the control of the wharf stating tfiajT several county ratepayers considered that the county, should be allowed some share of the control. Mr M'artin stated that the county contributed largely to the funds of the wharf.

The county clerk, Mr Merry, explained that the control of tlie wharf was gazetted by license to the Borough Council by the Department. The borough did not ask for control.

Mr Martin asked the council to take steps to get some portion of control. Sums had been paid out to local bodies fit various times and another £2.000 had accumulated. He considered wharfage charges excessive and considered they should he reduced. Mr Merry said that the only hope of getting some control was by a petition of county ratepayers to the Gcvment. It would he a very difficult matter unless it could he proved ffhat the present administration was f&nltj. In his opinion it- was quite efficient.

Mr Martin said that the factory had made application for a cool storage room, hut no prog v ~?s had been made while thousands of pounds were

accumulating. Mr Moody questioned Mr Martin's statement regarding cxcesuvo wharfage, claiming that the charges were the lowest in New Zealand He also stated that all the .uioiior had been committed. Mr Reid said that the best way would be to write to the Borough Council concerning flic storage room. More than 75 per cent, of the revenue came from county ratepayers and the chief industry m the town 'should' be considered.

It was decided to write to the Borough Council as suggested, and also to the Minister of Internal Affairs

re representation