News from Ohakune Borough Council

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 6, 2 July 1985, Page 9

News from Ohakune Borough Council

Ohakune's assistant town clerk, Gary McKenzie, has resigned to take up a position in Wanganui. At last week's Ohakune Borough Council meeting councillors noted Mr McKenzie's resignation with regret. The council agreed to leave the appointment of a replacement — possibly a senior clerk who would be promoted to assistant town clerk after serving with the authority for a period of time — to town clerk, Mrs Edith Moore.

★ ★ ★ The question of whether or not new^ roads in Ohakune should continue to be named after trees was raised at the council meeting. Cr Mike Wiggins said he would bring a motion before the next full meeting asking the council to change its policy of only allowing roads to be named after trees. He stated that people were now finding it a struggle to find a proper tree name which was pronouncable. Cr Mary Wright added

that streets could be named after events in the town's history of after former Mayors. The subject came up after the council was read a letter from a solicitor acting on behalf of the developers of Miro Park. The town planning committee had agreed to the main street in the development being named Kowhai Drive, despite the developers' wish to see it named Miro Park Drive. Miro Park Drive had originally been unacceptable because the fire authorities thought it might cause confusion with Miro Street. However, in his letter to the council Mr Duncan Harvey, representing the developers, said he understood the town's fire chief no longer objected to the name Miro Park Drive. Mr Harvey added that his clients had chosen Mountainbeach Drive as a second choice. Cr Ellen Gould said the development was well known as Miro Park and in her opinion naming the road Miro Park Drive would cause less confusion. The council referred the matter back to its town planning committee for further consideration. Cr Wiggin's motion on changing council policy on naming streets after trees, which dates back to 1978, will be debated at the July council meeting. ★ ★ ★ With the borough soon to celebrate its 75th anniversary, Cr Mary Wright suggested that the idea of a museum being established in the town be looked into. A colonial cottage could possibly be obtained to house items of historical interest, she said. The councillor also suggested that Carter Holt, a company which had its beginnings in the Ruapehu region, could be approached for help with the scheme. Mayor Bill Taylor added that he considered it to be an excellent idea. "If the Post Office ever considered relocating — and I don't know if it is likely — that building would be ideal for a museum," he said.

Cr Wright agreed to bring the subject up at the next meeting of the committee which is planning the borough's 75th anniversary celebrations. Cr Wright added that it was unfortunate there were no buildings in the town listed with the Historic Places Trust. Mayor Taylor agreed, but commented there were three buildings in the town — the Catholic and Anglican churches and the marae — listed as historic buildings with local interest. ★ ★ ★ Mayor Taylor reported to the council that no objections had been received to the rate increase (an average of $2 percent) which was fixed by the council at their April meeting. The council confirmed the new rate. ★ * ★ A cash bond has been received from Hurlstone's Earthmoving Ltd, in connection with a house it has moved from the corner of Arawa and Clyde Street and relocated on a plot on Old Station Road. The house has been moved to the new site, although permission has not been given for it to remain there permanently. However, town planner, Des Sutton, told the council that the bond would cover any possible costs in connection with the planning application. Hurlstone's will be seeking permission to leave the house on the industrial site, as it will be used by the company 's caretaker and his wife. The house was moved beContinued on page 16

Continued from page 9 Ohakune news fore permission was given, as the Arawa Street site's owners, Winstone's, wanted to proceed with redeveloping the site. ★ ★ ★ The October 1986 Ohakune Borough election will be decided by postal vote. The choice for councillors at last week's council meeting was between a postal vote and an election over consecutive days. The council decided to retain the postal voting system for the next election.