OPOTIKI COUNTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 15

OPOTIKI COUNTY

WHARF AT KUTARERE PROPOSALS FOR BRIDGES [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] OPOTIKI, Friday A petition from a number of settlers in the Motu Riding was received at a meeting of the Opotiki County Council to-day, asking that portion of tho county be transferred to the Waikohu County. The reasons given were that the land was in tho Gisborne land district, all supplies were sent to Gisborne, and dealings were done with Gisborne. The chairman, Mr. J. H. j Reid, said the petition was informal and ! could not be received. The Northern Steamship Company wrote agreeing to lease the Kutarere Wharf at a rental of X'iiO a year and to be responsible for maintenance of the buildings. A petition was received from the Upper Otara settlers asking that the council support the request for a bridge over the Pakihi Stream. The council decided to do so. The engineer said the bridge would cost about £I7OO. The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. 11. Semple, wrote agreeing that a bridge at Toatoa was necessary and said the department would be prepared to consider an application for a.grant toward the cost. The council decided to apply. Jt was decided to write to Mr. Semple stating that unless free money were available a number of works in the backblocks could not be undertaken by tho council. Members said the grants were the poorest ever received and most disappointing.