What happened to meatworks?

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 447, 4 August 1992, Page 12

What happened to meatworks?

• I write as a senior citizen of Raetihi whose great grandparents came to New Zealand from England and were one of, the original farmers to take up land in the Raetihi district in 1893, this farm being at the end of Ameku Road (which is now farmed by Alan Scarrow whose family were also among that group of original settlers). My husband Rex's family came to Raetihi in 1918 from Rawene, on the Hokianga Habour, to purchase the Waimarino Hotel from the Punch family. They were in partnership with my husband in the Raetihi Carrying Company where we contributed to

the area with some modern day pioneering, introducing the first diesel truck to the district, the first combination crates and pioneering the first, truck and trailer unit on the Parapara highway (which in those days was tarsealed only south of Kakatahi). Because of our longtime association with Raetihi, we are very interested in the Waimarino district and were delighted to read in the Bulletin 21 July 1992 of the $20m upgrade for the Karioi mill. Our question is, what happened to the proposed $6m meatworks at Raetihi. The Ruapehu District Council made the required moves re the

zoneing for the area favoured by AMCO. Now what? Upon asking the views of various long-time farmers in the area, the general consensus seems to be that they doubted the ability of the district to keep up the envisaged number of cattle required per day, especially over the winter months. I presume AMCO did their survey in the area before contemplating the building of the works at Raetihi? Another area for concern would have to be Raetihi's water supply, having seen the prob-

lems faced at Taumarunui with AFCO works clos,ing. As seen just lately the colour of our water after flooding is an indication that our water supply would not meet the high standard required. I certainly hope that our District Council is making an earnest effort to up-grade our water supply so that it is not a barrier to AMCO setting up vital industry here. I would like to heaf from any authority as to how the matters stand at the moment. Will we get our $6m input at Raetihi?

Betty

Bryers