Hopes of big subsidy for Akaroa repairs

Press, 1 August 1977, Page 7

Hopes of big subsidy for Akaroa repairs

!♦ will cost $140,000 to re-storm-camaged roads in the Akaroa County. Damage t< 'he State highways in the county is estimated at The County Engineer (Mr K A Paulin) told the council that damage m the Wainui atea amounted to $20,000. at French Farm Barres Bay. $9OOO. Duvau<he!lr. Robinsons Bay, Takamatua $12,000: Akaroa township. $4000; Akaroa rural area $5000: the Le Bons Bay riding, S 7000; Oka. ns Bay. including the Okains to Duvauchelle road. SI i . 0 0 0 : Chorlton-Little Akaloa $15,000; and Pigeon Bav and the Summit Road $13,000. Since the figures were compiled, however, slips had continued to move because; of persistent ram. and further clearing and re-metal-1 ling had had to be done.; Sections of sea wall in vari-; ous places had also been! washed away bv the action; of high seas. Mr Paulin said, i Mr Paulin said he hoped! soon to make a report on the damage to the Ministry of Works and Development.: and although in the past the subsidy rate had been four to one, he would try fori more in the present circum- i stances. Public meeting Whether the county i should be in the North Cante bury Catchment Board's area is too big a question for the council to decide. It will call a public meeting, probably in Octo-i In the meantime — and I preferably while the ground 1 is still wet from the recent i weather — it hopes engineers and soil conservators : from the board will be ablei to inspect the county in I preparation for the meeting. Last October, members of; the board met the council i and explained the advan-i tages of coming under the) board for soil-conservation | control and land drainage, but a decision was deferred. Another wet season — the; third in succession — and ] the knowledge that the Min-i fctry of Works and Devel-1 tpment’s responsibility in. the areas of soil con- i tervation and land drainage

•|Woula be taken over byi i catchment boards has caused » the council to think about! ' the matter again. "We have no indication that the Catchment Board can help us in this area with . out very steep country and' wet conditions, but if ve; ' hold a meeting we can find' I out from the board. Their plan might be to retire! ' whole areas ot land, and this, may be unacceptable to' some of our tarmers," said the County Chairman (Mr T. j . J. Brocherie). “In any event, it is too! big a decision for the coun- . cil to make without the I ,'views of landowners.” he said. “We must have the; confidence of the people we represent.”

I Liquor licence ! Early indications are that the council will not oppose Bruce Holdings’ application! I for a liquor licence next month. However, before a' • decision is made it wants the opinion of the Akaroa /Community Council. The company recently igained council approval for la hotel, motel, and town•'house complex in the centre lof Akaroa and its application for a licence will be I heard by the Licensing Control Commission in Christ- , church on August 22. The community council will discuss the issue on August.B, and report to a special meeting of the county council on August 10.