OPOTIKI COUNTY COUNCIL

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1046, 14 November 1947, Page 2

OPOTIKI COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING At the monthly meeting of the Opotiki County. Council, held last week the engineer, Mr. W. W. Uptcn reported that the doors at the Kutarere Wharf shed were partly made, but the carpenters had been called off the job for other work. The timber was to hand. It was stated that Mr. Murrell offered to take charge of the key of the shed and this offer was appreciated. Cr. Wilson said that the settlers of Kutarere and Waiotahi were anxious to get a weekly boat service.

Cr. Black urged that the wharf repairs be treated as urgent. Mr. Gault said that outlook for Kutarere was hopeful,, but it all -depended upon the amount of support the settlers were .prepared to give the wharf. Cr. Black said that the wharf should suit the Wainui settlers. Mr. Fullerton, Ohiwa, made application to the council to move the present road line to suit a new house being erected. It was left to the chairman, engineer, clerk and riding members to inspect the place and see Mr. Fullerton. The Department of Lands and Survey, Auckland, wrote stating some years ago Mr. White had asked for permission to erect a bach on a piece of Crown Land near Ohopc. The request had been declined, whereupon Mr. White installed himself on the area. Others had also built shacks there. The department asked for a recommendation. The Whakatane R.S. A. • and also Rev. Laughton had asked that the man be allowed to "stay there. Or. Martin, thought that those would be the shacks referred to ' by Cr. McCready of Whakatane. The chairman said, that the buildings were on Crown land and the ' council had no control over them. It was decideed to inspect the 1 buildings. Cr. Black said that he was glad 1 that the matter had been raised as the same thing, would happen on the Coast if reserves were not es- . tablished. . The Native Department wrote re , M(-. V. C. Miller’s property at Waimana, stating that the development of a back part was hampered bet cause of lack of assess.—lt was dei eided to meeet representatives ou - the matter. The subdivision of Mr. Syden- : ham’s property was approved. Hon. JR. Semple, Minister of RubBo Works, wrote approving of a grant of £750 on a £3 for £l basis - for a bridge at Waiotahi. , Mr. V. Wilson stated that he f would agree to find the balance of ■ £250 for the balance of the job. , The engineer-said that the main , difficulty was to find someone to , build bridges. The engineer as authorised to prepare plans for tue - bridge. : i Xh: Whakatane County Council i asked for an itemised account of repairs to the Kutarere Wharf. > A notification that a grant of £2OO on a £l for £l basis would be : made on condition that the stop- - banks were , fenced, was received. > Or. Clark said that he could give i a guarantee that it would be fenced. The Department of Internal Affairs wrote in regard to the council’s request for permission to sell : its area in Church streeet next to the Rest Room, stating that there ■ might be some difficulty in agreei ing to the council’s request. The ■ matter had been referred to the Minister of Lands. The Opotiki Borough Council wrote regarding a request by- the ; council for remission of rates- on the above areas stating that it did not wish to be a party to perpetui ating the holding of such land. Permission had been given to the Beautifying Society to beautify the area and not to the Borough Council. Permission for the Rotunda to be put there had also been given by the County Council. The chairman said that the council had not been asked about the baud rotunda at all. Mr. P. Crowley wrote requesting an access road to property at Oliiwa as his house was to be shifted shortly. It was decided to meet Mr. Crowley when the council visits Ohiwa. Mr. R, Amoamo asked for repairs to a side road from Waiotahi Pa.

The engineer said that the road had never been formed.—Left to the engineer. It was decided to hold the annual meeting of the council just prior to the ordinary monthly meeting on sth. December. The chairman said that as that was the last meeting he would like to thank all members for their cooperation and help,- and also the staff for being very helpful. The new council would be substantially the same on account of members being returned unopposed. He congratulated those members and said that he was satisfied that the position of the council had improved very much, during the last three years.

Mr. Stone thanked the chairman for his remarks concerning the staff and said that in the short time lie had been here he felt that he had never met a council that he had liked so much. This being the last meeting, councillors appeared- to be in an even happier ' mood that usual. There were repeated requests that certain facts should be published, and this final remark by the clerk was particular popular, especially with, those members who will have to>oontest.their seats at the forth- ■: • _i -• ••••'• rAu • ' • 'v'