THAMES COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15548, 4 March 1914, Page 11

THAMES COUNTY COUNCIL.

PROPOSED FIXED FERRY.

[»r telegraph. correspondent.] Thames, Tuesday. The Thames County Council, at its meeting to-day, received a letter from Mr. Newsham, on behalf, of the owners of the Orongo Estate, objecting to the proposed site for a fixed ferry across the Thames River, as decided on by the council, and pointing out that a fixed ferry at Kirikiri would be a source of danger and loss and useless,- except in calm weather. There was no good reason why the landing should not be made adjacent to the railway station, wharf, butter factory, and main road. The owners declined to assist in any way towards the road connection to the site, as decided on by the council, and any land required for roads must be taken under such powers as tie council possessed- The writer was of the opinion that the ratepayers of the district should be consulted as to the most suitable site before any further steps were takes, in justice to those who would have to pay for the scheme.

Reference was also made to the extent of the roads which had been metalled through the adjoining estate of Bagnall Bros., and asking that the same treatment should be meted out to the owners of the Orongo Estate, which would tend to bring trade in the direction of Thames. The chairman stated • that all information re Bagnall Bros.' estates road could be obtained from the council's books.

Mr. J. B. Thompson, drainage engineer, wrote 1 stating that it would be impossible to form the road through the Orongo and Ngataipua Blocks from the Hauraki Plains Settlement funds, which could only be expended within the boundaries of the plains, and it would thus be necessary to have special grants to form same as soon as the site was fixed on. If he had the council's assurance that such, was the case, he would use every endeavour to assist in furthering the formation of the roads.

With reference to the application of the Waitangi Gold Mining Go. for the extension of the county water mains to its mine at Tararu, to pro Tide motive power in the proposed new battery, the engineer reported that in view of the fact that the supply of water required would depend on the success of tlje development of the mine, he could not recommend the work being undertaken. Mr. C. Wright wrote complaining of the bad state of the wharf at Tairua, and asking that the necessary repairs be effected. The chairman explained that the work was delayed, owing to certain alterations to the plans and specification required by the Marine Department, but as soon as the Department's" approval had been received the work would be proceeded with. The secretary of the Thames Drainage Board wrote thanking the council for its contribution last year, and asking for its continuance, which was agreed to. It was decided to push on with the necessary preliminary arrangements relating to the loan for the construction of the Orchard Bridge, so that the work could tie carried out as soon as possible.