Hall base for P.E.P. workers

Press, 1 October 1983, Page 9

Hall base for P.E.P. workers

The Barrys Bay Domain hall will be taken over by the Akaroa County Council and used as a base for temporary workers. The council, at its meeting yesterday, agreed to accept an offer of the hall from the domain board. It is rarely used. Cr D. A. Hayward said the hall, which is close to the council yard at Duvauchelle, would be an ideal base for Project Employment Programme workers engaged by the council under Labour Department schemes. “It is a wonderful opportunity to establish a base at no cost to the ratepayers," said the County Chairman, Mr T. J. Brocherie. Funding of $27,000 from the Government for its Beautiful New Zealand scheme could be used on improving the highway. Workers on that project could use the hall, which was large enouglTfor inside work in poor weather. Cr Crew said he hoped the hall would not become a “white elephant” if the schemes folded in a year or two. Mr Brocherie said, “we are going to need more work skills schemes for many years ahead. I cannot see an end to unemployment.” Plans to establish the Barrys Bay Horticultural Trust were progressing and the hall could be used for that project also. Withdrawal The council should withdraw from the North Can-

terbury Catchment Board,

said a petition signed by 172 county residents. Mr R. Menzies, who presented the petition, told councillors that the board did not give value for money. Rates collected by the council on the board’s behalf had escalated steadily since the council became part of the board’s area five years ago. Total county rates for the board had been $9856 in the 1979-80 financial year. For the 1983-84 year they had risen 339 per cent to $33,448. Mr Menzies said the rates were still only 54 per cent of what the board was legally entitled to collect. They could continue to rise with little benefit to the county. The county’s 2000 ratepayers had paid $101,454 to the board, yet in five years only $67,114 in subsidised works had been done, he said. Councillors received the petition and later heard a report from the County Clerk, Mr L. W. M. Graham. He said other local bodies had not supported Akaroa’s remit for councils to withdraw or form their own boards, if they had special reasons — economic or geographic — to do so. The remit was put forward earlier this year after councillors had said board demands were too high. The remit was rejected at the recent South Island Local Bodies’ Association conference. It, however, prompted comments from the floor that catchment boards should keep their finances in check. The new public slipway at Akaroa should be ready by

Christmas, said the County Engineer, Mr K. A. Paulin. The Akaroa Cruising Club is seeking council support to build another slipway for keeler craft. Mr Brocherie recommended that the club supply details of the slipway cost and fund-raising proposals before the council considered a grant. Festival

Akaroa might hold a three-week festival during the Christmas holidays. A proposal by three persons will be put to the Community Council next month. It includes day and evening activities, starting on Boxing Day. The council agreed to approach the Labour Department and lodge an application for temporary workers for the festival. The early application will lapse if the festival is not approved but it was necessary to meet departmental deadlines.

Mobile food Two applications were received from persons wishing to run takeaway food outlets in mobile vans. One, by B. and J. Silva, was approved and the second, by the Bishopdale Fish Supply, was declined. The Silvas will set up shop in the Duvauchelle Domain during the holiday period. They have previously traded in Akaroa. The council declined the second application as it felt no clear demand had been shown for a second outlet. The decision could be reviewed after this holiday period. Telephone-box The council will support a call for a public telephonebox to be installed at the Hill Top Tavern. Mr B. J. Begg, of the tavern, said he had asked the Post Office to provide a" public telephone. There was

none between Little River and Duvauchelle and he was often approached “at all hours” by people needing to use a telephone. Reserve Land south-west of the Little Akaloa beach should be made a council reserve, said a deputation of three. The land can be subdivided under proposed changes to the District Scheme. However, members of the deputation told the council that most Little Akaloa residents were keen to see the land as a reserve. Its owner would be willing to sell the block, of about one hectare, if the council paid the full price. Town tours Councillors should resume regular tours of the Akaroa township, said Cr D. E. Wright, as the tours enabled councillors to familiarise themselves with new subdivisions.