RAETIHI BOROUGH NEWS

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 43, 17 April 1984, Page 13

RAETIHI BOROUGH NEWS

'Eyesore of the month' "Perhaps we could run an 'eyesore of the month' competition," was the suggestion of one councillor as a solution to the problem of, dilapidated and/or derelict buildings in Raetihi. There are three or four prominent buildings — "and we all know which ones we are talking about" — that are a real disgrace to the town, said Mayor Workman. Scenic Lake or Solid Fill The future of the ground depression east of Raetihi and immediately south of the Ohakune Road is still undecided. Whether it is to become a lake "using a digger to excavate any rubbish present" as is suggested in the Borough foreman's report, or a levelled piece of ground "using a bulldozer to push all the excess land-fill into it" as one councillor suggested, will depend on ^omparative costs. At last month's meeting it was considered that the solid fill option was probably the most practical and economical. But it was decided to wait for an accurate estimate and appropriate report on the two options before a decision was made. One of the reservations about the lake option at the previous meeting was the assumption that there was a

lack of running water through the depression which would soon cause any lake established there to become stagnant. The iake lobby' must have been encouraged at last month's meeting to learn that there is in fact water running through the proposed lake area towards the Makotutu Stream. Fencing "Council should make it very clear that they will not be liable for any responsibility regarding the fencing of subdivisions in the industrial zone east of the Makotutu Bridge" said Cr Cornwall. This was to be the responsibility of the individual firms. Foreman thanked Craig Ryland, Raetihi Borough foreman, was complimented by Council on the work that he and his staff have carried out round town to install farm implements as historic monuments and reminders of yesteryear. Derelict cars The problem of derelict vehicles being 'dumped' near the rubbish tip and the old sawdust pit was raised. It was suggested that Council ascertain the availability of the mobile car crusher (which travels the country and reduces car bodies to compact blocks of crumpled

steel) to deal with the problem. Soak pit A local contractor, Dobson Bros of Raetihi, was criticised at the meeting for dumping sewage effluent at the rubbish dump because he had found the gates to the oxidation ponds closed. The gates had been closed by council pending permission from the Health Department and Catchment Board that would allow the contractor to dig a soak hole on a site near the Raetihi settling ponds. These ponds had been provided and paid for by the ratepayers of Raetihi and it was necessary to get Health Department approval for a nearby soak pit as there was no telling what other materials/chemicals etc may be found in the effluent from

septic tanks on farms and other properties outside the Borough. It was decided to send a letter to the contractor, with copies to the Health Department and Catchment

Board, requesting the contractor to take urgent steps to dig and maintain a soak hole in the piece of land that has been allocated for that purpose.