OPOTIKI NEWS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 916, 8 March 1930, Page 6

OPOTIKI NEWS

The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, in a letter to the Opotiki Chamber of Commerce, said that the suggestion that Kereu, Raukokore, and Wrangaparaoa River bridges should, be included in one contract with a view to reducing the cost and expediting the construction was quite a feasible one, and would receive careful consideration when the time arrives for putting in hand the erection of these bridges. Delegates from the Opotiki Farmers’ Union waited on the chambers on Thursday evening in connection with the proposed visit of 150 Taranaki farmers to the Bay of Plenty. A communication was also received from Whakatane stating that the conference is to be held at Taneatua on Monday in connection with the visit. The meeting appointed delegates to represent the Opotiki Farmers’ Union and Chamber of Commerce at the conference. The chamber decided to write to the Cawthron Institute asking for a supply of cinnabar moths for this district. The question of road maintenance was discussed at length. It was considered that the present cost of maintenance of gravel roads on the Opotiki main highways would more than pay interest and provide a sinking fund on the loan for permanent surfacing. The opinion was expressed that there should be an increased petrol tax and the highways taken over by the main Highways Board.

At a meeting of the Opotiki County Council yesterday, the Whakatane Council wrote on the subject of main highways. It was suggested that the petrol tax be increased and that a conference be held. The engineer said the cost of maintenance of the Opotiki highway is considerably less than the £ 500 a mile cost to Whakatane for maintenance. Four delegates to attend the conference were appointed. The chairman reported that the matter of improving Waioeka B~idge approaches was in hand. The Public Works Department announced handing over a further section of the main East Coast Road between Motu River and Te Kaha.