Home For Handicapped In Cashmere Opposed

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30396, 21 March 1964, Page 14

Home For Handicapped In Cashmere Opposed

Concern . oyer the - circumstances surrounding the possibleestablishment of a - home for intellectually-handicapped children in Cashmere was expressed at - the Heathcote County Council’s meeting by Cr. C. M A. Thompson. The. chairman. (Mr ? J. C. Hollis) had refused to read a letter from a - Hackthorne. road ratepayer objecting to the proposed home. The letter was listed in the council’s supplementary agenda. The objection was iout of order, Mr Hollis said, because the council had had no firm application for permission to establish the home.

Cr. Thompson said his telephone had .been “red-hot” on the Subject,. He. thought councillors had the right to kriow. what was going on. He was afraid the property involved might be bought and the home established without- the council knowing. ’ Five Letters. In the ensuing discussion it was revealed that five letters of objection had been received by the council, and that, several ratepayers had wanted to come to the council’s meeting as a deputation, but Cr. Thompson had deterred them by pointing out-that no definite proposal was before the council. The organisers of the proposed home, had held exploratory talks: with certain county council, members and with residents in. the neighbourhood of the property. The organisers were also thinking of holding a public meeting

to give detalis of their intentions and show films of a similar home which they were already running in Napier. Mr Hollis pointed ,out that the proposed rise of the property was a conditional use under the Town and Country Planning Act, and as such wris subject to approval by the council; moreover, the proposal had to be advertised to give opportunity for objection, Cr. Thompson said if the would-be .'objectors could be told that, -he would be “quite happy,” and it was decided to do this.

No Tunnel Road Authority' is happy to throw mpney arouhd on ponds and . waterfalls, but where safety is concerned it's different,” Cr. J. S. SCott commented at the Heathcote County Council'meeting. The authority had refused a re-’ quest from the council for the provision of a. footpath on the east ride of Bridle Path road.'

Rate Arrears.—Rates outstanding in the county after March 6 amounted to £3004 7s lOd, about 3 per cent of the total. '

' Offer Accepted.—The council accepted an offer by Mr B. Haigh to provide playground equipment in Remuera avenue.

“Give Way Sign.”—A give way sign is to be placed in Rossmore terrace at its junction with Centaurus road.