ISOLATED BY SLIP

Evening Star, Issue 22678, 18 June 1937, Page 3

ISOLATED BY SLIP

PENINSULA SETTLERS' PLIGHT DEPUTATION TO COUNTY COUNCIL The isolation of residents of the Papanni farm settlement, caused by tho slip on the road from Portobello, provoked strong criticism by Mr T. J M'Hutcheon, who waited on the Peninsula County Council yesterday afternoon with Mr L. Stewart to request the council to immediately clear the road. Mr M'Hutcheon bitterly complained of tho council’s apathetic attitude over tho slip, and said that since its occurrence last month no attempthad been made to remove the spoil or build another road. He added that the settlers intended to approach the Minister of Public Works (Mr Semple) for Government action to be taken to speedily clear the road. The residents of Otakou wore hemmed in, and they desired the council to make some temporary provision for road facilities, said 'Mr Stewart, who remarked that he recognised that at present the slip could not be shifted, as the spoil was not sufficiently dry. Cr Nyhon asked if tho settlers intended to do something for themselves, and clear the slip sufficiently to enable them to cross with stock. Were both petitioners ratepayers ? Mr M'Hutcheon; No. Cr Nyhon : When you become a rate payer I suggest that yon will then be able to have a say in the affairs of the county. Why don’t yon all get together and put a track across the slip? Mr M'Hutcheon : The position is that Ihe 12 residents of the settlement in tend to write to the Minister of Pubic Works and point out that they have no outlet from their farms. The Chairman (Cr H. Macandrew) ; I don’t wish you to come here and be antagonistic towards the council, Mr M'Hutcheon. Mr M'Hutcheon : The county is only tho size of a Hawke’s Bay sheep run. What about amalgamating with other counties ? Cr Cross suggested that after tin’ spoil had dried the council should torn’ a road over Hie lop of the slip.

To a. question by Cr Robertson Mr MMrlntcheou said that there were ratepayers at Otakou. and Tk? and Mr Stewart, represented them. Cr Robertson: You won'fc do anything for yourselves, hut instead run to the Government. The Chairman assured the deputation of the council’s desire to assist the settlers, and said that a Government grant to enable the slip to he cleared had been applied tor, but he did not know when it would he available. Several residents of Portohello peti tioned for the removal of the slip, which Mr S. G. Paterson, the county engineer, said was five and a-half chains in length. Cr Irvine suggested that a committee consisting of the chairman, Cr Cross, and the engineer should devise a method of providing temporary access. Something had to he done. The. committee was formed, and it was decided to make a temporary track across the slip in the meantime.