Thirty years ago
This week in 1955, the Ohakune Borough Council approved a new water supply scheme for the borough, estimated to cost a total of £52,180. The council had originally approved a scheme to bring water to the town from the Mangawhero Stream, but this week thirty years ago, it was announced the supply would come from the Serpentine Stream. A report on the scheme, to be submitted to the Local Government Loans Board had been prepared by James and North of Hamilton,
consulting engineers. The engineers reported that lack of amenities had apparently retarded population growth abnormally in Ohakune but when a good water supply and sewerage scheme were provided, the population- would probably more than double over the thirty year loan period. "We believe that the growth will also be rapid because of the peculiar climatic conditions fostering market gardening, the development of top-dressing in the surrounding country, the probability of better
highways and the room for expansion in the town area of 2075 acres," said the report. "We are therefore assuming a figure of 4,000 for the population in 1984." (Last year's population was actually 1,530). The main advantage the Serpentine had over the Mangawhero in the eyes of the council was that water from the Serpentine would be less discoloured and always 'potable' without any settlement or treatment. ★ ★ ★ Work on the second chair-lift for the northern slopes of Mount Ruapehu was about to start in February 1955. Four Swiss engineers who were to supervise the construction arrived by air this week and expected to have the lift working in time for at least part of the '55 ski season. The lift — 1600 yards long — was expected to cost about £25,000! ★ ★ ★
A well-attended meeting of members of the Rangataua Labour Party was h'eld in the Rangataua Room on • Monday 7th February, Mr W. L. Udy, President, occupying the chair. Mr W. O'Hara, acted as secretary as Mrs O'Hara, the official secretary, was indisposed. Mrs Udy moved a motion of sympathy with relatives of the late Robert Semple. "Labour," he said, "has lost a great stalwart, a courageous personality, humorous at times, but always in earnest. "He had achieved an enduring record among followers of the movement." Mr Sargeant inaugurated a wide survey of present day problems confronting the nation and the Labour Party. A report of the meeting stated, "The resultant debate encouraged new and younger members to participate and the interest aroused augurs well for the future of the branch."
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Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 37, 5 March 1985, Page 8
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415Thirty years ago Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 37, 5 March 1985, Page 8
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