WHAKATANE COUNTY COUNCIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8947, 3 August 1892, Page 3

WHAKATANE COUNTY COUNCIL

A special meeting was held at Opotiki on July 20. The ordinary meeting, which should have been'held on the 11th havinar lapsed, owing to members being unable to get into town because of the flood on that day. The members present were: Messrs. Bockett (County Chairman), Bates, Hogg, Moody, Arthur, Parkinson, and Dr. Reid. The minutes of the last meeting and outgoing correspondence were read and approved.

Damage by Floods.—The County Chairman said that owing to the urgency of the matter he had written to Mr. Kelly, M. H. R., on the subject of the damage by the flood of the 11th to the Waioeka Bridges, asking him to endeavour to get a sum placed on the Estimates for repairs, and extension of the bridge, The letter was then read as follows :— " Whakatane County Council, Opotiki, 16th July, 1892. W. Kelly, Esq., M.H.R., Wellington. Dear sir,—Since our letter to you on the subject of a grant of £450 for decking the two main local bridges, a disastrous flood has occurred, inundating the greater part of the township, doing much damage, both therein and in the country, and partially wrecking the two bridges over the Waioeka River. Both ends of the larger bridge and wings are carried away, and the back is broken in the centre. The smaller bridge is also damaged, altogether involving a loss of quite £700. You will remember the location of the bridges referred to, which were constructed some 20 years ago by Government. Only last year upwards of £100 was expended in making afresh both wiugs, carried away by different floods. You will also remember that a long embankment connecting the large bridge with the smaller one was thrown up on the river bed, which was done to save expense of a longer and more expensive wooden structure. _ The saving has proved loss in the end. The river wants all it can get of its bed in times of freshets. The artificial contraction by the embankment of the banks, causes the flood water to swell to a height which might otherwise not be reached ; and the bank, besides, throws the flood over again t the wings on the town side. These and the large trees brought down from above have been the overthrow of the bridge. At present only horse traffic can pass over the temporary repairs now being effected, and the state of the County finances gives poor prospect of this important link being again meuded, which connects the coach road between this and Tauranga. The accident to the bridge is a public calamity, felt not by settlere only, although the inconvenieuce to them is great, but by the travelling public. The ford is negotiable only at low water, and wheu the river is not in flood, and is a shifting one, and even at low water is not a good crossing, especially for wheeled traffic. Compared with other districts, Opotiki has basked but little in the sun of Government favour as regards expenditure here of public money on public works. Other 'listricts have railways, while we are wanting roads, and what development has aud is taking place is owing to private enterprise. On all sides Ciovvn and native lands hem us in, reaping the benefit of works constructed out of our rates, and contributing not one anna to the local bodies' revenues. Look on the map aud mark what an insignificant portion of the county is occupied by Europeans, and see the extended lines of roads that local bodies are called on to maintain, and are being daily urged to extend. Three farthings in the £ is and has been levied by Road Boards and County Council, and the county revenue may be set at £600, a quite inadequate sum for all the work to be done. I think a good ease has been made out for asking Government to take the bridging of the Waioeka off the over-burdened shoulders of our ratepayers. A general opinion, in which our engineer concurs, seems to prevail, that it will be a mistake to keep the embankment. The embankment was an error of judgment by the Government engineer of the day; and while this bank continues to till up the waterway, so long will the wings continue subject to ba washed out by floods, and the body of the bridge imperilled by heavy timber borne up against the bridge stringers, the effect of contracting: the outflow of the heavy water. I trust you will give your hearty support and use your best influence to getting a grant on the Estimates for the extension of the bridge to the far bank. The district is not a wealthy one. The area of the county is large, but the ratelevying area is small. The farms are small, from 50 to 100 acres for the most part, occupied in many instances by old military settlers. The depression in maize, at present not more than Is 4d a bushel (bags given in); high freights on grain and stock, and other causes, combine to make any further taxation of the settlers of this district a grievous burden. To give an instance of the disadvantage farmers here, who have no railway near, labour under, the freight charged on each bullock to Auckland, roughly estimated at 150 miles, is £1. In the VVaikato a greater distance from Auckland can be travelled over at 7s a beast. Same with other live stock and with grain and wool. We have to contribute to work from which we have never received one particle of benefit. lam aware that the foregoing does not do justice to my case, but I trust your ability and weight will supply my shortcoming, and lead the Government to see the matter through our spectacles. The matter is urgent. All wheel traffic is stopped. May I ask you to push the urgency of the need upon Mr. Ballance, and induce him to take the quickest and most effective measures for filling up this present breach in the main highway to Tauianga The engineer's estimate for the work is £3660. I enclose rough sketch which will eerve to refresh your memory as to the general surroundings of the bridge. — I remain, etc., Charles Fred. Bockett, County Chairman." Dr. Reid moved a vote of thanks to the chairman for the able manner in which he had put the case of the Waioeka bridge to Mr. Kelly, M.H.R. Seconded by Mr. Parkinson, and carried nem. con. The Embankment.—Mr. Cropp, county engineer, reported on the damage by the flood to the Waioeka bridges. He recommended the removal of the embankment connecting the two bridges, and that the bridge be continued right across the river bed. Consideration of the matter was deferred till a reply is received from Government as to a grant for the purpose. The chairman was empowered to have any necessary steps taken to keep open communication across the bridge for horse traffic by means of temporary gangways, etc. It was agreed to ask the engineer to report on all flood damage to all county works ; also to send in estimates for maintaining the county roads during the financial year. More Damages.—A letter was read from Mr. Simpkins, Whakatane, reporting that the smaller Orini Bridge whs washed away, and now lies on the river bank ; and that the main road from Whakatane to the beach is impassable owing to slips. Agreed to thank Mr. Simpkins for his report, and inform him that the engineer will secure the bridge timber for future use, and will see to the clearing of the road in question. The "Thirds."—The engineer sent in a scheme of expenditure of " thirds" from deferred payment and perpetual lease lands now due to the Council. This was approved, and ordered to be forwarded to the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Repairs Wanted.—Mr. McMiken wrote asking for repairs to approaches to bridge at head of Ohiwa Harbour. Referred to the engineer. Messrs. Elliott Brothers, of Umuhika, near Matata, wrote pointing out the dangerous state of the road from Matata, and stating that ho vera! minor accidents had already occurred, and predicting heavy claims on the Council for accidents which are sure to happen. The Chairman had replied to this letter, that the road in question is a purely Government one, passing through native and Crown lands, and chat the Council cannot hold itself liable for accidents. At the same time he had written to the Government, asking for a grant for repairs. Action approved. Accounts. —Accounts amounting to £115 were passed for payment, including £30 tor temporary gangways at the VVaioeka Bridge, and £20 4s 6d contribution to the Bay of Plenty Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. THANK3.—A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.—[Own Correspondent.]