Meeting of County Council

Northland Age, Volume XVI, Issue 16, 22 November 1946, Page 6

Meeting of County Council

Wednesday’s County Council meeting opened with the Chairman, Cr. \V. J Steed making reference to the recent deaths of William Mclvor Vickers, former County Chairman, and Arthur Hugh Trigg. Councillors stood in silence as a mark of respect. Cr. Steed presided over Crs. F. Holder, C. J. E. Barriball, W. I*. Hales, J. W. Hoskin, I. J. Berghar., T. Wilton and Mr. A. M. Theed, En-gineer-Clerk. Cr. W. J. Bell was granted leave of absence. Local body support was requested by the Waitemata Harbour Bridge Association for the erection of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Councillcrs felt that Auckland residents , would be the main benefactors if the bridge was built. The meeting was informed that a pew road near Daily , Flat had been surveyed, which would shorten the main highway route to ; Auckland by IX miles. “If this new road was put in it would be quicker than the bridge route,” said Cr. Hos- ( kin. However, the motion embodied m the letter was carried, "that the Council urges the commencement of the preliminary work necessary on the bridge.” By doing this Councillors felt that they were endeavouring to help somebody else. “All the same.” said Cr. Hales, “we get little reciprocal treatment from the other end for the betterment of our backblock roads to feed these new amenities.” A pamphlet from the Hon. W. E Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, outlined Government proposals for the erection of suitable war memorials. These suggestions included the ereccion of community centres as memorials. A £1 for ±‘l subsidy would be forthcoming on monies raised by direct contribution, read the communi- ! cation. Councillors felt that this was a valuable document and it was decided that the County Council confer with other local bodies on the matter. A communication from the District Engineer of the P.W.D. stated that a subsidy of £2,037 on a £3 for £1 basis would be made available to the Council for flood damage. Well over one third had been spent so far, while the repair of Fern Flats and Kohumaru will claim the balance. The subsidy would be forthcoming once j the money w»as spent, said Mr. Theed. 1 The relief was felt to be quite reasonable. Councillors reserved decision on. a I letter from the Oruru Dairy Co. suggesting that improvements should be made to the Mangonui wharf. Present facilities were very congested, said Cr. Barriball. “Concern was expressed at a recent meeting, at the continual cutting of trees from the Waipoua Forest,” read a letter from Mrs. J. Sowter, Secretary of the W.D.F.F. This letter urged the Council to strive for the preservation of this forest and attempt to limit the number of trees cut from the forest. “We should support the proposal as strongly as possible,” said Cr. Holder. “It will only be a matter of time before the whole forest is ruined It is the only piece of real forest j left in New Zealand or in the world.” j It was decided to support the Wo- i men's Division. Mita King, a returned serviceman, wrote to the Council requesting a fish-hawking license. A letter from Paul Edwards, another hawker, in-

formed the Council that King and partner had been hawking fish on his run already. It was moved that the matter of issuing fish licenses be referred to the Health Committee and that it be recommended to the Healtn Committee that providing King complies with the regulations, he be given a license. Two returned servicemen, C. I. Bindon and N. Dolbel, requested permission to hawk vegetables in the Mangonui County and Kaitaia Borougn area. Already these men had a creditable market garden. Councillors felt ic was an excellent ideg and they would give permission for the County, but they could not speak for the Borough. Cr. F. Holder moved the following resolution to go before the Federated Farmers : “That the provincial executive of the Federated Farmers be approached in regard to their Union meeting the 10 percent levy imposed an the ratepayers of this County for ;ate payments of Hospital rates for he years 1944-45.” After the payment of the present accounts of £1375 9/10 the bank overdraft would be £8,639 16/8 which was not a healthy position, said Cr. Steed. COOPERS BEACH CAMP License Granted for 1946-47 Mr. R. H. Kelly attended Wednesday’s meeting of the Mangonui County Council. Acting on behalf of Mr. E. J. Berghan, he stated that the Health inspector required various renovations to be carried out at the Coopers Beach camp. These included the teticulation of water to a suitable cooking centre and the provision of ablutions at the camp. Mr. Berghan was at present in hospital, said Mr. Kelly, and it was not possible for him to carry out these improvements. Materials also would not be available before Chris:mas. The expense was not warranted for the revenue received, said Mr Kelly. The camp was in good order and Mr. Berghan had received letter; from all over the country asking foi camping sites. Beaches all round the coast wert in need of similar improvements, yoi r,o action had been taken, continuei Mr. Kelly. If the Health Inspects would not issue a license, one of tin finest and prettiest beaches in tin country would be deprived the public. It would be a serious thing for the County if the beach was closed. With the falling off of visitors, revenue to the district would suffer. Mr. Kelly then left the meeting and the Council discussed the matter. Councillors felt that the present regulations needed altering. Coopers Beach was an ideal picnic spot with good water facilities at present. When people camped they expected to rough things. Cr. Wilton moved, and Cr. Berghan seconded that Mr. Berghan be granted a license for 12 months, and the matter be reviewed later.