POKENO’S REQUIREMENTS.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 628, 29 April 1921, Page 2

POKENO’S REQUIREMENTS.

ADDITIONAL SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION. The necessity for additional school at Pokeno was emphasised by a deputation that waited on the Minister for Labour, Hon. G. J. Anderson, at Pokeno on Monday. During the discussion it was pointed out that the majority of the,, children of school age in the district resided within a radius of a mile from the railway station, and that the existing school at Pokeno Valley was too far distant for a large number of younger children to attend. The present school attendance, it was asserted, was outgrowing the accommodation and it was suggested that a side school to accommodate the infants should be erected near the railway station.—The Minister promised to refer the representations to the Minister of Education. - UP-TO-DATE POST OFFICE WANTED. At Pokeno on Monday, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Labour and Mines, received a further deputation stressing the need for better postal and telegraph facilities. It was stated that at the present time the postal and railway work was performed by one set of officials and vexatious delays occurred at owing to their being engaged on railway work when settlers desired to transmit postal and telegraphic business. Further complaint was made that owing to their being no provision for the delivery of telegrams the senders tberof announcing impending visits, frequently arrived before the messages had been received by the addressees. The Minister undertook to forward the representations to the department concerned. PQKENO-PAEROA LINE. EARLY CONSTRUCTION URGED. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. The importance of the early construction of the pi’oposed railway from Pokeno to Paeroa was urged by a deputation of Pokeno settlers that on Monday waited on the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister for Labour. It was stated that the district through which the proposed railway would run comprised some of the best dairying land in the Dominion. It was also stated that the new 7 ' line was required to relieve the congestion on the railway between Auckland and Frankton, and that by the new route the journey time between Auckland and Paeroa would be shortened by about four houi’s. The Minister’s support was also asked for a request that the Thames and Rotorua express trains should stop on alternate days at Pokeno.