Reading Development At Whatitiri Desired

Northern Advocate, 13 March 1948, Page 5

Reading Development At Whatitiri Desired

SEEKING aid in the joining up of three dead-end roads on Whatitiri Hill, a deputation from the Maungatapere branch of the Federated Farmers, comprising Messrs K. M. Stevens, N. Phillips and W. H. Gunson, waited on the Whangarei County Council yesterday. The deputation also suggested construction of an 11— mile road which would run completely around the hill. If the three blind roads only were joined up the length of new road required would be about two miles.

Probably never before had the council received a deputation asking for so little Mr Stevens claimed. Residents wanted to have three of the five blind roads linked up and a new road surveyed. A. resolution had already been sent to the council by the Whatitiri Federated Farmers, but the proposals contained in this resolution had been turned down.

32 to foodsellers’ premises, and five inspections of plumbing and drainage.

As a result of these visits seven requisitions were served. Twelve milk samples were taken, the inspector reported. The sanitation at Waipu Cove motor camp was not satisfactory, he continued, while improvements were also requisitioned at Ngunguru. WATERTROUGH At the request of the Ngunguru branch of Federated Farmers the council is to provide a trough and fittings between the Wattles, Kiripaka, and Mr Greechan’s farm. The riding member and engineer will decide the type. BROOK’S ROAD The engineer reported that a grant of £525, £3 for £l. had been made for Brook’s Road, Waipu. The pronosal had been approved by the Public Works Department and the work would be put in hand when the monetary authority arrived. FINANCE The council’s general fund account shewed a debit of £6573. Expenditure on main highways to March 12, 1948, totalled £13,367, of which the main highways board's share was £10,437, and the county’s share £2930. The estimated county share for the period 1947/48 was £3500. Expenditure on general bridges to the same date was £1741, the estimated share being £3IOO. Credit balances were shown in the following ridings: Hikurangi £7l, Kiripaka £249, Maunu £702, Mangakahia £389, and Wairua £52. Debit 'balances were shown for Waipu Riding £214, Otonga £203, Manaia £34, Maungakaramea £l6, Mangapai £152.

“I do not blame the county engineer (Mr K. W. King) for this, though he was at our original meeting, and expressed sympathy with our aims. “Mr King was new to the district at the time, and no blame need be attached to him.”

- REAL NEED EXISTS

It had been proposed, Mr Stevens said, that the settlers should get on with the job themselves. This could not be done because one man, through whose property the road might go, would probably object.

A real need for the road existed, however. One farmer in the district could not get certain types of machinery on his property at all because of the lack of an adequate road. > Mr Gunson said that some farmers had to bring their cream half a mile to a place where it could be picked up by lorries. The road would benefit tradespeople, who would not have to retrace their paths along a blind road. More economical delivery would be assured, and a better service obtained for the farmers.

Mr Phillips claimed that there would not be much formation work on the road. Watertables were not necessary and the original expense would not be excessive.., TO MEET SETTLERS

Cr W. M. Fraser: This is a case to which the council should give special consideration. The time must come when the area will be more accessible. On Cr Fraser’s motion a committee was formed to meet the settlers and report back. f The personnel was: Crs. P. S. Carter, M. W. Wilson, W. M. Fraser, J. Morrison, J. J. B. Linnell and the engineer (Mr K. W. King). “If this road is put in it is going to be a great advantage to the property owners in the area,” said Cr C. A. Lovell. “To what extent would these owners help to build the road?” he asked. Mr Stevens: We want to know jf the scheme is reasonable without being too costly. We need a sketch plan to put before the people concerned. Cr Fraser: The committee will do that. WILL PROVIDE. PLAN The chairman: The council would be in a better position to provide money for this than it would for a subdivisional project of a property owner. Cr Carter: The settlers must be willing to give their land and provide fencing costs./ Cr Linnell: It’s a fairly big scheme, but at the present time the deputation only wants a plan. Mr Stevens: “Yes, that’s the idea, but we would also be pleased to see you carry out the suggestion.” It was decided that the deputation members and the committee arrange a time for a meeting with the landowners. ON ERA HI WATERTABLE A request that the council take some action regarding the damage done by storm water to the road skirting the Onerahi Aerodrome was received from the Onecahi Town Board. The board had previously .written to the council about this question, the letter stated. The county clerk said thj question was in hand by the riding member and the engineer. SANITATION During' the three months ended last February the Health Department's sanitary inspector (Mr A. S. Quennell) made 17 inspectations to habitations, e-