PROMPT ACTION NEEDED

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 18764, 20 December 1935, Page 6

PROMPT ACTION NEEDED

The chairman of the Raglan County Council, Mr H. W. Wilson, has made a strong protest against the departmental delay that may prevent many camping parties enjoying a holiday at Waikato Heads during the coming holiday season. When the need for water supply and sanitary services was brought to the notice of the council, it realised that no time must be lost if widespread disappointment was to be avoided, for Port Waikato is one of tho most popular camping spots in the province. A conference with the body controlling an area deemed eminently suitable as a site for campers resulted in an agreement, and if official sanction can he obtained the County Council will at once place the necessary work in hand and have the conditions provided to meet the requirements of the health authorities. Mr Wilson, when interviewed yesterday, said that the council had the men ready to undertake the work, could obtain the materials without any delay and would concentrate its efforts on carrying the thing through. It would temporarily find the money required, but the area would have to be vested in a domain hoard and, of course, the council would expect a refund of the money expended.

The whole plan seems to be waiting for inspection by some official of the Lands Department, and unless that is made without delay and the work done then, apparently, the Health Department will veto the use of the place as a camping site. We do not know exactly the requirements of the Lands-Department in the matter of areas to be used as public domains, but nearly every issue of the Gazette records the setting aside of lapd for the purpose and probably the block it is intended to use at Pork Waikato is very well known to the local officers of the Department. In any case the District Health Officer, in the course of his work, must have had extended experience of what- is required in the way of camp sites and as the matter is urgent we would suggest that, on this occasion, the Minister of Lands should he prepared to accept the opinion of the health authorities, endoi’sed by the chairman of the Raglan County Council, that the area selected is suitable, and that he should avoid any further delay by authorising the county council to proceed with the provision of the services required. If the area becomes a public reserve in all probability the Raglan County Council would, in the capacitj’ of domains board, exercise control. Where the responsible local body and the health authorities are agreed a work of this character, affecting the recreation of many hundreds of people, could well be authorised by the Minister and an official inspection waived without any risk being incurred, or any undesirable precedent established.