TAUPO TOWN BOARD

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 33, 27 August 1952, Page 7

TAUPO TOWN BOARD

Hatepe Hydro-Power Scheme At the mcnthly meeting of the Taupo Town Board held on Wednesday last there were present the chairman, Mr J. E. Story; Miss K. C. Lewis and Messrs J. D. Swan, W. T. Jrvine, C. J. Vedder, W. G. Mortis and K. E. Young. The business transacted was largely routine. One item of important public interest was the Hatepe Hydro-elec-tricity Scheme. The chairman of the Works Committee, Mr Story, reported work at the hydro scheme was not progressing as fast as it should, owing to the lack of skilled carpenters. I n the last day or so they had obtained additional labour. The contractor on the penstock pipe line was pushing ahead, and the contractor on the transmission line and reticulation of the town had arrived and had commenced work. Gable and cross arm timber were 011 hand and the board was confident that there would be 310 hold up regarding material. The latcst advice from the English firms gupplying the turbine and generator for the main plant was that the delivery would be made late December. This plant has been on order since January 1951. At a subsequent meeting the board had a most satisfactory interview ;with the native owners cf the land proposed to be taken for the conservation of the headwaters of the hydropower scheme. In accordance with the formalities required by legislation it was necessary for f acilities to ihe accorded to the hearing of objections from the owners affected. Fourteen attended at the Town Board Office. Mr Fitzgerald, representing Mr R. A. Potter, solicitor of Rotorua, appeared for the owners, while Mr A. V. Ford, of Thorne, Thorne White, and Clark- Walker, solicitors, of Auckland, appeared for the board, The interpreters were, for the owners, Mr Arthur Grace; for the owners, Mrs Lucy Reid. The proceedings were amicable and conciliatory. No objections were pressed, and the interview concluded with congratulatory compliments extended to the owners by the chairman of the Board. Local Works Other works reported on by the committee for the past month were as follow: — • Storm-water Control: Storm water control on Waipahihi Avenue and adacent roads had been improved. This section of the town which has given much trouble in the past owing to the steep grade is now weil provided with culverts. Ineidentally, visibility at the junction of the Main High-

way has been extended also on the corner of Tui Street and Main Highway. A Ministry of Works culvert across the highway vac the Ruapehu Street junction has been lifted and replaced so as to carry stormwater across tnr Lakefront Reserve to spill into the Lake. This culvert was causing considerable erosion to the reserve. Work has commenced on turfing the edge of Ruapehu Street. A culvert has been placed across Scannell Street. Cemetery: , Improvements are taking place at the cemetery by a pa.ttime worker. Access Road: The grader spent five days on the access road to the Hydro Scheme and the remainder ot

the month on the town roads. Orchard Camp Ground: Fencing, ievelling and grading of the orchard camp is under way and the sowing of grass seed will be undertaken as soon as the fence is completed. The report was adopted, and thanks were accordod to the chairman, Mr Story, for his voluntaxy supervision of the works in hand. War Memorial Hall In a letter the Taupo War. Memorial Association asked for permission for: 1. — Sole right of Domain from De* cember 18, 1952 to January 3, 1953; 2.: — Free use of hall, if crected, from December 18 to January 3, 1953; 3. — Use of Iibrary for organiser

during period when office is closed over holidays.; 4. — Support for an application to the Main Highways Board to close certain portion of main highway upon dates to be decided. The board decided that (1) and (2), be granted; in regard to (3), to recommend approval of the use of the Fire Brigade Social Room by the organiser as required; and (4), to make formal application for the closing of the main highway as and when required. The board approved of a working bee for laying the foundations of the Memor'ial Hall. Messrs Alleman and Land, architects have forwarded brief specifications and plans for the hall, and the board has decided that one plan and specifications be forwarded to the District Building Controller, and another set to the Department of Internal AfFairs, and that tenders be called for the erection of the hall as soon as the quantity surveys are available.

Other Items Mortuary: Following on receipt of the plans from the Waikato Hospital Board, tenders, to close on Wednesday, September 17 next are to be called for the erection of a mortuary building. Municipal Conference, 1953: The Chairman, Mr Story:; Councillor K. E. Young; and the Town Clerk, Mfs S. Torepe, were appointed to represent the Town Board at next year's Municipal Conference, to be held at Wellington. Tenders are to be called for the kerbing and channelling in Roherts Street, also for concreting> of footpaths. t

The chairman, Mr Story, with Mr J. D. Swan, and the board's consulting engineer, are to prcceed to Wellington to negotiate in the matter of the board's additional £37,000 loan, and also to discuss with the Minister of Intemal Affairs the plans for the Memorial Hall, and other matters. With reference to the markirg of a white eentre traffic line in Tongariro Street, the Ministry of Works eng'nt eer at Rotorua is to be advised, in the light of his letter to the board on the subject, that the centre line as described would not prevent heavy traffic from using the newly-srealed portion of the highway, and would be in conflict with the board's parking arrangements.