BUILDING AT OPUNAKE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 6 May 1935, Page 14

BUILDING AT OPUNAKE

INCREASED ACTIVITY SHOWN MEETING OF THE: TOWN BOARD (From Our Own Correspondent.) A report on building activities in the town was reported at a meeting of the Opunake Town Board last Thursday. Those present were Messts A. J. Brennan (chairman), L. des Forges, W. J. S Dudley. Dr. Griffin, H. Booker, S. Boyd and C. N. Thayer (Clerk). An apology for absence was received from Mr W. E. Gunson.

Figures in brackets are for corresponding permits Issued last year in the following statistics for the year ending March 31, 1935: New buildings, 14 valued at £5,509 (12 valued at £3,830) ; permits issued for alteration, 6 valued at £319 (5 valued at £126). The improvement shown last year regarding building had been maintained, said the clerk. Twelve new buildings, including three beach cottages had been erected, while two new business premises had been erected in the business area. The demand for dwellings was still keen and no shops remained vacant. The population of Opunake also continued to maintain a steady increase and several new firms had opened business premises during the year. The unemployment position showed no alteration from the previous year. Mr C. A. Wilkinson, M. P- for Egmont, wrote stating that the Hon. J. Bitcliener, Minister of Public Works, would visit Opunake during May and he would be pleased to meet any of the public bodies.—lt was decided to meet Mr Bitchener regarding the erosion of the Waiau riv'er, which members agreed was becoming more serious with each flooding of that river. A request was made Tor a reduction in the Town Hall Tariff. The clerk was instructed to reply .to the application stating that same could not be granted as it would lead to further appeals. A deputation from the Opunake Returned Soldiers’ Association (Messrs N. Reardon and A. Elgar) waited on the board as to why the lights were not lit on the monument.

Mr Brennan stated that the lights were worked on a separate .time switch. When the time came for the erecting of the Christmas coloured lighting the time-switch from the monument was taken to work the coloured lights. As the Power Board constantly required this time switch they could not replace it and it was now a matter as to who was to purchase a new time-switch. Mr Reardon said that it was not a matter for the R.S.A., but one of a public nature and he thought that the town board should take action in the matter. The clerk was instructed to obtain a quote from the power board for the installing of a time-switch and for the annual upkeep of the lights. The secretary of the Opunake Plunket Society requested a donation towards their car fund. It was decided that the sum of £3 3s be donated from the present board. The foreman (Mr J. de Castro) re-

ported on the past months’ activities. Water channels had been cleared, roads and footpaths patched where necessary, rubbish collected, and the Town Hall cleaned several times. Two groynes had been erected at the \\ aiau River and were proving successful. Nine men had been employed under No. 5 relief scheme, some knapping stones and others at the W aiau river. Nine concrete pipes had been made. The library committee reported a membership of 31; receipts totalled £3O 18s and expenditure £3O 16s 3d. No definite progress could be made with the library unless a good supply of new books was forthcoming, but this was not possible. The committee suggested that the whole of the subscriptions received be put to the expenditure of new books and that the town board donate £o to the immediate purchase of new books. A vacancy had been caused on the committee by the departure of Mr C. O. Edmonds from the town. It was recommended that Mr Cathie be appointed to the committee to act on behalf of the subscribers. It was decided to subsidise the committee to enable a more adequate supply of books to be purchased. Several applications for the position of ranger and dog-tax collector were considered. Mr C. Cameron was appointed to the position. At a meeting of the Domain Board the Opunake Football Club renewed their application for the use of a site for the purpose of building a training shed.—This matter was referred to the Reserves Committee with power to act.

The Egmont School Sports Association was granted the use of the Domain for the annual sports.