OPOTIKI COUNTY COUNCIL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 208, 17 July 1939, Page 2

OPOTIKI COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING RUATUNA ROAD The monthly meeting of the Opotiki County. Council was held'in the county chambers on Friday. Present: Mr. W. A. Gault (chairmany, and Councillors \Y. A. Butler, T. Burke, R. A. Hedlev, A. E. B'lak'e, S. Maxwell, J. T. Clark, C. Black, G. J. Neilson, and Mr. J. 'J'. -Merry (clerk) and Mr. W. W. Upton (engineer). It- .was decided to forward—a letter .1 or sympathy to Cr. MeDomieJl who is ill. Cr. Butler proposed a vote of appreciation that the chairman, clerk, and engineer were able to be present again after their recent accident. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and the outward! correspondence approved. Ruatuna Deputation A deputation of settlers from Ruatuna waited on the council in connection; with the Ruatuna road. They asked that the road be surveyed, stating that they were prepared to give the land free if they could get the road. « • Mr. ’Gault said that finance was the main obstacle, and before the road across the muclflat could be proceeded with, the land would have to be purchased from Mr. Reeve. Mr. Humfry said that according to a survey it would not be necessary to cross the mudfiat. Mr. Upton said'that there had been no idea of putting the- through road to Reeve’s. Mr. Humfry said that Hon. Semple would hot give a free grant unless lit was a through road. Mir. Gaiilt said lie thought it would be -possible to get a free grant for a portion of the road. Mr. Reeve s land would cost £175 and the survey would cost about £SO. In reply to a question by the chairman the settlors stated that they all would give the land. r llie Mauri land would be a question lor the- Native .Department. A plan of the proposed route was perused by the council, the road being shown around the waterfront. Mr. Fullerton asked the council to consider the through road to help the farmers, and give them a fair chance ot earning a living. Children liacl to ride through water to get to school. Mr. Gault said that the council would give the matter its best consideration. Mr. Merry explained that the embankment had not been done as the contractor had- not fulfilled the contract. Mrs. Abbot said the council bad,not been over the road. .1 lie chairman stated that the engineer had been over it. 'the deputation then withdrew. ■ 51 r. Merry said that before a lreo grant could be asked for the council would have to spend £SOO ot its own money. The road would cost between £3OOO and £4ooo'. The land there was not worth the: money. The maximum rate that could he struck would not cover that amount. Mr. Burke suggest'd that the road ho dedicated as far as it was formed. It was decided to instruct the engineer to proceed with the dedication of the road along the beach. Damage to> Road.

Mr. Beckett waited on the council re the Whitikau road, cn belialt ol the Peddles Timber Co. The mill staff had put in two days’ metalling. -Mr. Sloan was pulling, logs over the road. Mr; Beckett said that Mr. Sloan was taking logs from the side of the road and damaging it. It would! be serious lor the. jnill if it had to go off the road altogether. The company had spent about £2O on the road during the past two weeks. They were not up against Mr. Sloan hut things were lett on the road. Mr. Upton said it- would not pay Mr. Sloan or the council for logs to be carted at this time of the year. Mr. Beckett- said it was suggested that the mill put h man and a truck on and keep the road in reasonable repair. Mr. (fault asked that a bond' lie given. Mr. Upton said that the council would have to settle up with Mr. Slcaii before it could conic to. an agrcemciit with the mill. Lt was decided to authorise the engineer to have the work done on the ’W hitikau road at Mr. Sloan’s expense. The engineer and two councillors were appointed to assess the damage to the road, and to leave authority in their hands* to permit further use of the road to Mr. Peddle.

Inward CorrespondeticOj .Air. Macrae, Oponae, asked for rcjAlfirs to‘the main road to the home- * / < 3 EV ‘- stead.—Left to the engineer. Mr. Guy Francis wrote protesting that dogs had destroyed four sheep'. He asked for a heavy tax bn, female'*, dogs.—Left to the clerk tojj’efefy- '. v-* .Air. id. S. Hoines cumplained' again of wid.Vck'i iyg - stating that one " steer elinrlwfences.—Left to the clerk: to reply. Mr. AA\ X. Rowe, secretary Hikutaia Domain Board, thanked tlic council for its donation. Tim. Takapuna Borough Couiu-il wrote re Hospital taxation, enclosing ■«" resolution protesting against the increased burden being placed upon

ratepayers. Mr. Maxwell said that the hospital should he financed entirely by the State, with local committees. 'The council did not agree with the wlngle of the resolution concerning the'Socialisation of the hospital., —Received. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union wrote expressing concerning about defaulting • ratepayers being debarred from voting:' 'The council expressed itself' as -( jja#isfibd with the present ar>sfngfl(tffeiit. .The Coniiiiissioner of Transport wrote re a petition from Opotiki Borough taxi proprietors, except one, asking that* tiny tie put under No. 1 .Licensing Authority, asking for the council’s views. 'The council decided not to agree to the. requests. 'The Medical Inspector of Health wrote ig the appointment of Mr. Wallwork. The council made the formal appointment. It was resolved to take steps to collect outstanding rates for tlie pastyear. A decision to insure members against accident while on council business was reached. It was decided to apply to the Alain Highway Board for finance to purchase an additional lorry.