OPOTIKI NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10712, 9 October 1928, Page 3

OPOTIKI NEWS.

COUNTY COUNCIL. (Special To The Tunes,. OPOTIKI, Oct: s. At the ordinary meeting of the Opotllti County Council, ■ Mr J. it. Reid, chairman, presided. A telegram received from the Minister of Public Works, stated that a grant of £IOO had been placed on the estimates for the Peti Peti br d£e. Cr. Parkinson asked that a rebate of 5 per cent, be allowed on rates, but the chairman stated this could not b<j done, as it had not been allowed for when the estimates were drawn up. . Cr. Hogg drew attention to the danger of the Vv'uioeka river cutting through the bank on the eastern side above the Waioeka bridge. He contended -it would be necessary to bare steps taken immediately to stop the erosion.—The chairman stated that erosion is also taking place on the western bank near the main highway.—it was decided to get a report from the County engineer, and also to get in touch with the District Highways Engineer. A special report was presented by the engineer in connection with the. cost .of gravel carting and other matters dealing with equipment.— Cr. Parkinson stated that the present lorry had cost £IOO more for upkeep this year than last year. He suggested that a portable stone crushing plant would be a good plan, as the use of a central grave] depot was causing too much running about, with consequent damage to the roads. Two lorries costing about £SOO each would be much cheaper to run than the present lorry.—After discussion it was resolved that the engineer submit' various costs of running machinery to the Counc.l. The much-discussed question of the Kutarere wharf again cropped up through a complaint from the chairman of the Waimana dairy factory in regard to getting cheese away. Mr Mitchell stated that unless duferent arrangements were made, his company would have to send their cheese by the railway from Taneatua.—Mr Williams also complained as to difficulty in getting his wool away.—Cr. Hogg said it was about time the whole matter was cleared up and different arrangements made. —The Council agreed that the present position was not satisfactory. !t was decided to notify the wharfinger that unless he was prepared to carry out his contract, his s e rvices would be dispensed wit.li. The tender of J. Louden for forming and eulverting 50 chains of the Coast roadi at £316 13s 4d was acAccounts totalling £1352 19s Od were passed for payment. OPOTIIvI HOSPITAL- BOARD. At the monthly meeting of the Opotiki Hospital Board the chairman (Mr H. R. Hogg) presided. Nurse Mcllwraith was appointed district maternity nurse. A circular was received from the Hospital Board Association suggesting that two days per month holiday Be allowed to all nurses. —It was decided to reply that this is done already by the Board as far as possible. The engineers (Messrs \ lckerman and Lancaster) reported that instructions have been given to the contractors- for the installation ot an X-ray plant in the hospital at a cost of £916. The Hoard received notification from the Opotiki Borough Council as to the new water charges decided on. It wad resolved to reply that an arrangement had been made to extend the time to March 31, 1929, and that the charge has been paid, so that no further change can be made until that period expires. It was reported that a loan ot £SOO had been received from the Public Trustee for extensions to the hospital. MEN’S FOURSOME HANDICAP. The Opotiki Golf Club played a men’s fours,ome handicap on Saturday. The best card*; returned were Bloor and Mahoney SO gross, i ’' handicap, 6i net; W. A. ffodd and R. M. Todd 80—13—67; ITilford and Candy 87 —IS—69.

GI SB OR NE- OP OTIKI MOTOR SERVICE RESUMED

After several months stoppage the service cars' have now resumed the direct service between Gisborne and Opotiki from to-day. During the winter private cars have occasionallv gone through, sometimes with bad consequences. The cars wh ch went through yesterday and returned this morning, however, found no difficulty whatever, and it i R hoped the weather will now enable the services to carry on, and as a lot of the metalling, besides the deviation, will be done this summer, it is fully expected there will now be an all year round service. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. At a meeting of the Opotiki Chamber of Commerce, Mr A. L. Arrowsmith, president, in the chair, a letter was received from the Auckland Chamber regretting that time will not permit of a visit from business men on a special train this year, but an effort will he made to include Opot.ki in the next itinerary. The Public Works Department, Tauranga, wrote that plans for the two remaining bridges on the Opo-tiki-Matawai road are now in hand. The question of a daily parcel mad to Opotiki was again discussed, members voicing the opinion that the Government by refusing to send parcels daily by rail instead of by boat weekly are working against the interests of the railway department.It was decided to write again to the Postmaster-General on the subject. The need for an advisory officer for farm instruction for the Natives ut To Kaha was strongly voiced by Mr Fairweather.—The Chamber decided to get the necessary information and then approach the Department on the matter. The,,. Chamber resolved to write to of Public Works askinf for a trial survey of the proposed short route on the coast road. The County Council are also moving in tlio same matter.