RUATORIA TOPICS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22510, 13 December 1947, Page 3

RUATORIA TOPICS

WIDE DISCUSSIONS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STATE HOUSING POSITION At the recent monthly meeting of the Ruatoria Chamber of Commerce a good attendance of members discussed a wide range of topics including State houses, electrical reticulation and soil conservation and river control. The parking of bicycles in Ruatoria was brought up by a member who advocated the introduction of cycle racks. After some discussion it was decided that cycle racks were not essential. The meeting decided to seek the cooperation of teachers in requesting children to park their cycles correctly against the kerb and thus prevent any mishaps to their machinesReplying to an inquiry from the chamber, a letter from the State Housing Department explained that their building programme in Ruatoria had been held up because of the high prices being asked for the sections. In reply to the department’s inquiry for alternative sites the chamber decided to draw attention to the block reserved for a public school; the matter would also be presented to the local member Mr D. W. Coleman M.P. to hasten the project on either the original or an alternative site. Alternative Site In reply to a letter from the Regional Planning Council, Gisborne, regarding the order of priority of the items on the council’s programme, the chamber authorised the chairman, Mr P. H. Parr, to discuss the matter with the secretary of the Regional Planning Council and stress the importance to this district, of developing electrical reticulation, water supplies for Coast centres and transport facilities. It was proposed to write to the Catchment Board asking it to survey and prepare to plant trees in the upper reaches of the Mangaharei Stream to arrest soil erosion. It was stated by a member of the chamber that the bed of this stream had risen 20ft in the last 20 years, at which rate it would in the near future lift the stream over the banks to flow into Ruatoria- Both the shopping area and the West Fnd residential quarters would be in danger from this stream. It was resolved that the chamber should call a special meeting when Ruatoria is visited by Mr Denis Williams, Waiapu County representative on the Pover.y Bay Power Board. This would enable members to meet and discuss matters with Mr Williams. An invitation would also be sent him to attend the chamber’s next meeting. Regarding the water scheme, the chamber’s oldest and most difficult proposal. it was resolved that the Works Committee should discuss the matter with officials of the County Council and the Health Department, with a view to formulating a workable community plan in Ruatoria before too many residents had gone to the expense of installing private water supplies, thus losing interest in the common scheme for the w’ Kr,1 ° R"->tm-i'->.