OPOTIKI COUNTY COUNCIL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 96, 12 October 1938, Page 4

OPOTIKI COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING Thfe .monthly meeting of the Opotiki County; Council was held in the County Chambers on Friday morning. Present: Councillors W. A. Gault' (chairman), G. J. Neil son, W. A. Butler, T. W. Burke,, R. A. Hedlev, J. McDonnell, S- Maxwell, J. T. Clark, A. E'. Blake, O. Black, C. W. Fairiyeather; Mr. J. T. Merry (county clerk), Mr. W. W. Upton (country engineer) . Access.—Mr. A. W. Ruff waited on the Council and asked for road access t 0 a section at Kutarero. He stated that there was no access at present. He would be quite satisfied with a road that would take a half-ton. truck. In reply to the chairman, Mr. Ruff said he would attend to the fencing in the event of the Council deciding to inake tIiCM-oad.—The Council decided to obtain a report on the matter from the engineer. Whitika'n Road.—The Minister, of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, wrote in connection with the Whitikau road, expressing doubt as to whether he could provide any funds for the work. Mr. Twisileton also wrote on the same matter.—The ..letters were “received.” Officer’s Advice.—The Hon. F. Langstone Minister of Native Affairs, writing on the subject of the" Council’s complaint about an officer advising a native not to (pay Ill's, rates, stated he would have the matter investigated. Rubbish Nuisance.—in reply to the county’s request, the Opotiki Borough Council wrote stating it would co-oper-ate with the County Council in endeavouring to abate the nuisance of dumping rubbish on roads.

Huntress Creek Drainage.—Mr- J. T. Woodside wrote complaining about the unsatisfactory state of the Huntress Creek drain, and asked the Council to see that the owners concerned clean out their portions.—The Council decided to serve notices to all occupiers of land.

Proposed rack.—Mr. 31. Humphrey, Oliiwa, stated that the Native Department had asked for permission to put in a six-foot track, and Mr. Humphrey asked for an exchange of land, and stated that it would be a good time to co-operate with the Department.—The Council decided to obtain a report from the engineer. Drain Pipes.—A request for an approach to his property was made by Mr. G. D. Emmett. In reply to Cr. McDonnell, the engineer said 9-inch pipes would be required—The Council decided to offer to supply the pipes required! at cost price. Motuhora School.—A request for a better approach was received from the Motuhora. School Committee. Cr. Maxwell said the committee could obtain grants for works' of this kind- Cr. Black “spoke in support of the request.

Cr. Neilson moved, and Cr. AicDonnell seconded, that the request be granted. The motion "'as carried. Flood Damage.—Damage caused by the flooding of the Nukuhou river was referred to in a letter received from Air. Horace White, >vlio stated that the flooding was largely due co the dumping of brandies of willow and cabbage trees and lillings when the road was widened.—The Council instructed the engineer to obtain a re T port.

lload Conference. —Air. A- G. Hultquist, ALP., wrote apologising for nonattendance at a conlernce on roading matters. The chairman said he had attended the conference at Hamilton. He then read a resolution passed on the subject of funds for county roads, adding that no members of Parliament were present.

Native Valuation Roll.—The officer in charge of -the valuation of Native land, and A' aluatieu Department at Gisborne, wrote on the subejet of Native Land, and inquired if the Council would pay for the additional cost of obtaining the information required.—Tile Council decided, to pay for the assistance required to bring, the Native Valuation. Roll up to date, Ragwort.—The Department of Agriculture wrote stating that £-000 had been made available for expenditure by the Council on the destruction of ragwort.—The Council decided to proceed with the work without delay.