WHAREPOA FERRY.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16072, 5 April 1924, Page 5

WHAREPOA FERRY.

REQUEST TO REINSTATE IT. COUNCILS AGREE ON MATTER. A deputation from the Hauraki Plains County Council waited on the Thames County Council on Thursday, in reference to the Wharepoa ferrv.

An accident recently had stopped the ferry from running:. The deputation consisted of Mr J .C. Miller (County chairman), Ur Nicholson, and Mr E. Walton (County clerk). Mr Miller, in introducing- the deputation, said (he Wharepoa ferry had become so bad that it had to be closed. If anything happened to either the Netherton or Ivopu ferries it would make things very awkward They had found a punt which could be mpde suitable.

After the estimates and correspondence had been discussed, Mr Miller asked the Council to approve of their action. Mr Walton then read the correspondence with the Devoriport Steam Ferry Company about the punt, the cost of which was £62/10/-. He also read a report on the ferry from an independent authority, which estimated the repairs necessary would run into £55. The actual cost of putting the ferry in working order would be about £155.

Cr Nicholson also pointed out that the ferry was urgently needed, and he asked the Council to favourably consider putting it in working order as outlined by Mr Walton. Mr Lowe thought the cost as stated was most reasonable, and the request of the Hauraki Plains County Council should be at once undertaken. He though it would be a very retrograde stop not lo keep the ferry

going. Cr McCormick said he thorough ly endorsed the opinion that the ferry should be kept going. Cr Cribb thought the Hauraki Plains Council should be congratulated upon their action in reference to putting the ferry in working order again. At the same time some arrangements should he come to in reference to the approach road on this side. Cr Brunton said he was in favour under certain conditions of keeping the ferry open for traffic. He thought that the heavy traffic would have to be regulated. He contended that the heavy traffic to the Hauraki Plains was damaging the approach road on this side very considerably and unless some assistance was given by the Hauraki Plains Council he would not favour the ferry being reopened. Mr Miller asked what would be the limit.

Cr Brnnton thought if the piece of road from the wharf to the ferry was taken over, it would be a fair tiling. Mr Miller said he did not approve of taking the road over, hut he was prepared to contribute something towards I lie cost. He suggested £IOO he spent right away, each Council to contribnle £SO. This was only to be spent right away. It would not be an annual contribution of this amount.

Cr McCormick thought it was a very fair offer.

The chairman thought, the Council would accept the offer. Mr Miller thanked the Council for hearing them, and withdrew. The Council then discussed the matter.

The chairman said he was surprised that the cost of re-installing the ferry was so small. In reference to the heavy traffic they could frame by-laws that would overcome the difficulty. He moved that the offer of the Hauraki Plains County Council be accepted. This was seconded by Cr McCormick and carried.

The deputation was then invited into the Council Chambers and acquainted with the Council’s decision.