WHITEHALL SETTLERS

Waikato Times, Volume 196, Issue 22578, 16 February 1945, Page 2

WHITEHALL SETTLERS

TRANSFER OF AREA SOUGHT Several settlers in the Whitehall district, near Cambridge, asked the Matamata County Council at a meeting at Tirau yesterday to take over from the Waikato County Council control of a section of road through the French Pass area, contending that their interests would be better served than under the present arrangement. The settlers along portion of the route who are in the Waikato County sought transfer conditional on an assurance that their rates would not be increased. Mr C. Bruce said such an assurance could not be given. The chairman, Mr E. D. White, thought a meeting with the settlers interested would be advantageous. There seemed to be some misunderstanding. The engineer, Mr M. E. Fitzgerald, outlined earlier representations, and said the desired improvement of the French Pass road would be expensive. He had not taken out quantities or estimates, but there would be a long deep filling across a gully. He mentioned a suggestion that the two councils might reach an agreement for improving the road without transfer of territory. Mr G. H. Verity thought deviation might be found practicable. The chairman said he favoured a discussion with the Waikato County Council after a report on the more comprehensive scheme had been prepared by the engineer. Mr Bruce sought provision in the report for improved roading for the benefit of Matamata County ratepayers who had to use the road for access to their market town, Cambridge. The engineer said a big culvert would be needed in lieu of a bridge, and that would cost about £2OOO if it were to be large enough to take flood water from the hill slopes. I Members present at the meeting were Messrs. E. D. White (chairman), J. E. Duxfi’eld, W. L. Grice, C. H. La Trobe, T. Corry, E. Davidson, G. H. Verity, G. C. Dunham, A. Wallace, J. Pohlen and C. Bruce, with the clerk, Mr J. A. Beck, and the engineer, Mr M. E. Fitzgerald.