OPOTIKI NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10736, 6 November 1928, Page 3

OPOTIKI NEWS.

OPOTIKI COUNTY COUNCIL

HEAVY ARREARS OF RATES

L A SERIOUS POSITION

(Special To The Times). The monthly meeting was presided oyer by Mr J. H. Reid, chairman. The’ Highways Board engineer wrote stating that the Board will be making a tour of the East Coast districts thik month, and would arrive at Opotiki on November 29.—The Council decided to interview the Boayd with reference.’ to. bad corners. . •' i \ 7. ■ •

The Minister of Public Works wrote on the subject of the grants for Upper Otara road and Te Whuiti bridge, giving information desired. The Power Board submitted quotations for bridge lighting £3 15s p.a. for 100 c.p. lamp and £4 15s, for 200 e.p.—On the chairman’s motion it was decided to obtain the opinion of the Borough Council on the matter.

A vote was received from Cr. FairAvqather oil the subject of gaps on the Coast road.— The chairman said the District Engineer had told him that the work was being carried out according to the Minister’s instruet’ons.—On the Chairman’s mdtion, it was decided to wait on the Minister with reference to the matter on his visit to Opotiki. Cr. McDonnell said he was very dissatisfied with the way in which the Council’s workmen were carrying on. He referred to short hours and billy boiling for afternoon tea.—The Chairman said the practice of afternoon tea billy boiling was prevalent on the Public Works Department’s roads. The only way was to have the work done by contract; The lorry would be used only on the Main Highways, where it was paying. The Chairman reported that, after the previous meeting of the Council, Cr Small, the Clerk and himself went tp Kutarere and discussed the wharf question with the people concerned. He was satisfied thrit the Council had been working on the wrong track. A half-time service was no good owing to the tides. They agreed to recommend that the wharfinger’s salary be increased to £-3. per week on condition that the shipping he attended to at all times. —ln reply to Cr. Moody, the Chairman said this would mean lifting nart of the rate, to which the settlers had agreed.—The Conned approved of this arrangement. A statement on the question of outstanding rates, covering a number of years, was presented bv the clerk. This showed that last year’s rates still: outstanding amounted to £5700, the amount outstanding for the last two years being £IO,OOO. —It was pointed out that approximate!} half of these amounts consisted of Native rates, which could not be collected. With regard to the other half the Chairman said that, unless they collected them, the Council could not carry on.—The matter was considered by all. councillors, to be very serious,, and the Council resolved. to write .to the , sojicitors. stating that the rates* must bo collected. On Cr. Joblin’s suggestion Council decided to support the Woodlands representations to the Minister of Public Works concerning a grant.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS. (Special to the Times.) The monthly meeting of the above was held on" Thursday night. ' Mr. A. L. Arrowsmitl) presided over a small attendance. The Public Works Department wrote in j-eply to a letter asking for' "Ti trial survey of a shorter route between Poverty Bay and Bay of Plenty, that the Department will fully investigate the possibility of making such a survey.—lt was decided that the matter be brought before Hon. K. S. Williams on his pending visit to Opotiki. The Department of Agriculture has been asked to appoint a dairy instructor for Te Kaha.—The Hon. K. S. Williams promised to support the request. A letter had been, sent to the chairman of No. 3 District Highways Council, asking that a dev lation of the main highway he made at Wahnana. —The Council replied it could not comply, owing to the .expens© of compensation and i dicing. The secretary ‘(Mr. C. Fleming) stated that the Council had been under a misapprehension as to costs, and that he had shown one member of the board where the mistakes had arisen.—The chairman said lie had been talking with one of the owners of'land concerned and that he had said a trial survey for the railway was being made which, it adopted, would interfere with the proposed devintion. —It was decided to leave the matter to be brought forward when the Highways Board visits Opotiki about the end of the month. A letter was received from the Public Works Department, Tauramra. stating that the Department hao agreed to widen the corners ot +’ Motu-Opotiki road, so as to give more room for cars to pass and that the work would he started very shortly. ■ Messrs Arrowsmith, Sa x bv. Bra.ae and Fleming were' appointed deputation to wait on the Hon. Iv. S. Williams on his coming visit", with reference to matters as above and also with regard to getting a daily and parcel mail. Mr. Baigent brought up the question of getting concessions from the Railway Department, the speaker stating that lie had been in the South Island recently and that lie ha/l found that he could travel t miles from the rail-head hv motorbus for spven ponce, and also that goods arc carried by motor lorry at railway Tates.—-tin his motion, seconded by Mr. Sax by. it was decided to write te the Nelson Chamber of commerce for further information.