County Council Receives Four Deputations

Northland Age, Volume XVIII, Issue 39, 18 February 1949, Page 1

County Council Receives Four Deputations

When the County Council sat in monthly conclave on Wednesday last, four deputations were received. ® FAVOURABLY RECEIVED The first was Mr. L. A. Mclntosh who wished the Council to receive a piece of land at Pukenui to be devoted as a playing area. This land adjoins the local hall and is admirably suited for such a purpose. Mr. Mclntosh stated that the lccal residents were prepared to bring the land to shape, and said that a properly constituted Domain Board would be established. In accepting this on behalf of the Mangonui County Council, the Chairman, Mr. W. J. Steed, thanked Mr. Mclntosh for his very generous gesture and gift, and assured him that the residents of Pukenui and of che County as a whole, were appreciative of such areas for healthy recreation. PARAPARA BRIDGE Mr. E. M. Cave was the next appellant, and he asked that something be done about the bridge over the Whakakuhukiwi Stream on the Parapara Road. Mr. Cave stated that the present so-called bridge had been erected as a temporary measure years ago, and bad over the course of time collapsed, and had been repaired by local settlers until it had reached its present state when it was definitely a dangsr to all who traversed the tottering structure. Mr. A. M. Theed, the County Engineer stated that the Public Works Department entered here into the picture, and that this department had side-stepped the issue under an allowance of £I2OO that had been made as a war damage allowance. Disfcussion showed that it would be some many months before a new bridge could be erected, but it was decided that as a temporary bridge would have to be erected whilst the new bridge was being built, this temporary structure could possibly be erected forthwith, the cost coming from the war damage grant. The matter was left in the hands of the engineer to proceed with this urgent work. KAINGAROA DOMAIN ' Mr. Gibson Smith headed a deputation of Kaingaroa residents, and stated that an area of five and a half acres had been acquired for the purpose of establishing a recreation area in the district. A properly constituted domain

board had'W*** estat)T7shed, he stated in reply to a question oy Vhc chairman. Mr. Smith went on to say that residents had collected £lO9 for the purpose of puttihg this ground into shape, but they realised. Ilfat rnoije would be required,, atfd thought that perhaps the Mjmrfonui County Council might be In a position t 0 help. The chairman stated that to help financially was impossible, bu,t he could give an astarance that such a project had every sympathy of the County Council. He went on to say that the only assistance that could be giver.' was some few hours’ of work which could be done by Council plant when it was in that locality. This offer was gratefully accepted by the deputation, and with the earnest felicitations of the Council, deputation left. TAirj^ntACH Headed by Mr. E. Chamberlain, a deputation from the Oruru-Taipa Beach Improvement Association ask«d that the existing joad to Taipa Beach now only a track through long grass, be brought into being by aid of the County Council. It was stated by the deputatiQn that the Association was willing to pay for half the cost of the metal which would cover he eleven chains required. In addition, when-the road was aone. the association was desirous of erecting modern dressing sheds for baihers of both sexes, and other nacasaary conveniences. " r J ™" It was also stated that all this would be for the benefit of ratepayers of the county, as such things had no particular atraction for transient tourists. The ratepayers would actually benefit from all this at weekends and days spent at the beach. Many farmers came down to fhe beach for a few hours with their families, just to enjoy the change of a swim. In this instance the deputation vms supported in its plea by Mr. T. H. E. Wilton and Mr. C. Barriball. The chairman stated that the finances of the County were such that he was afraid that money could not well be spent on such a road <>v»n though the Association was willing to pay half the cost df metal. The deputation and project had his sympathy, but he was afraid that there was not much that could be done ! about it. J Some considerable discussion ensued j amongst councillors, and it was derid. I ed that the County Engineer inspect | the road, and make a report back ;o ' the council after this had been done.