NEEDS OF RUATOKI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22464, 7 July 1936, Page 14

NEEDS OF RUATOKI

BRIDGE ACROSS RIVER DISCUSSION OF PROPOSAL [by telegraph—own correspondent] WHAKATANE, Monday Keen interest is being displayed by the natives of Ruatoki and other settlers of that part of the district in the proposal to bridge the Whakatane River at Ruatoki, in view of the difficulty experienced by settlers on the opposite side of the river in regularly supplying tho Ruatoki dairy factory, obtaining farm requirements, and carrying out other services. Mr. C. H. Burnett, M.P. for Tauranga, accompanied by Mr. Watkinson, Public Works engineer, and Mr. C. H. Brebnor, county engineer, visited Ruatoki on Saturday and inspected two sites, one at Ruatoki and the other about two miles down the river at Rewirau. They later attended a gathering of natives and other property owners interested at Ruatoki. About 500 natives took part in an enthusiastic welcome to Mr. Burnett. Mr. W. Reid, the county chairman, presided. The bridge proposal was fully discussed, the natives agreeing to allow their lands to be rated for the purpose of providing part of the cost of a bridge, provided the Ruatoki site was adopted. Messrs. T. Davis and Patterton were also present representing the European landowners' interests. At the conclusion of the meeting the natives presented Mr. Burnett with a carved walking stick as a mark of their appreciation of the interest he had taken in their affairs Mr. Burnett will remain in the district for two or three days before returning to Tauranga. While in the district he will visit Edgccumbo, Matata, Manawahe, Pongakawa Valley and le Puke.