OROPI ROAD

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXV, Issue 12297, 10 April 1937, Page 3

OROPI ROAD

IMPROVEMENT SCHEME '

QUESTION OP FINANCE

DISCUSS [OX BY COUNCIL

Matters concerning the Oropi Road were considered at yesterday's meeting of the' Tauranga County Council. J

The County Clerk, Mr n,owis, read a copy of a telegram forwarded by .Mr C. IT. Burnett, M.P., to the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, in which it was stated that Existing Forests Ltd. had suggested that provided they doubled the royalty to the Council, estimated at from ;£.-1000 to £ 1 200 per annum, the Government contribute £ 1000 for the first year at the rate of £250 per month. The Company would be willing to anticipate royalty, as required by the County, to provide their £ 1000. The County Engineer "on Id then immediately commence the removal of had" corners on the road and establish a good gang, with delivery of sufficient metal all along the route to maintain the road in the best condition possible over the first twelve months. It was imperative that the road improvement should proceed, as unless this was done the ordinary traffic was likely to meet serious interruption due to mill operations. The request was equal to a £ 1 for £ 1 subsidy between the. Company and the Government.

The Hon. R. Semple advised by telegram on April G that the matter was under consideration and decision would be expedited as much as possible.

Mr C. H. Burnett waited on the Council. He explained that he had been in communication with the authorities in Wellington and was advised that the matter was one for the Cabinet. It was hoped to reach a decision by Tuesday next. Portions of the road required attention immediately. The sawmill was about ready and it was hoped to start work in two or three weeks. The Company would require confirmation of their proposal from Sydney. Cr Alach said he was anxious to see the mill going, but he was definitely against carting any timber on the road unless something was done to it. It was pointed out that between May and September heavy traffic could be prohibited on the road. Mr Burnett outlined the proposals for keeping the road open through the winter.

Cr Alach moved —That in the event of the money being available, the Engineer and tjhe mover he empowered to act in regard to improving the road.—Seconded by Cr Sinclair and carried. Cr Alach moved —That failing financial prbvision being made available to the Council for putting the Oropi Road into order for carrying the excess traffic occasioned by the Sawmilling Company’s operations, the Council, in its desire to protect its ratepayers in the matter pf their carrying operations over this road, cannot grant the Company the right to use the road for the carrying of the timber from its mill over the road.

The motion was seconded by Or McKenna and carried.