THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1921. PAST YEAR IN PAEROA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4360, 30 December 1921, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1921. PAST YEAR IN PAEROA.

Patriotic citizens have, during the past year, in Paeroa and surrounding district, including the Hauraki Plains, been working consistently and at no small effort and expense to themselves in many ways for the advancement of the district, and it is a source of very great satisfaction to know that some of the progressive efforts put forward are now bearing fruit.. The past year has seen the Paeroa sewerage put well in hand; the long-needed motor bus and mails services to and from the Hauraki Plains and Paeroa have eventuated, these two things being very material contributions to the progress of the whole district: To have progress a reasonably optimistic and enterprising spirit must first be generated in the minds of the people, and in this respect there is much to be thankful for. Any person who has observed the mental outlook of the public ana business men of Paeroa during the past year must infallibly come to the conclusion that there is a more hopeful and courageous spirit abroad; whereas it was once common enough to hear Paeroa talked of in despondent tones, such as “Is the place ever going to move ?” one now hears the opinion freely expressed that Paeroa is decidedly on the move. A number of new shops have been built, including the Thames Valley Power Board’s fine concrete office, show room and storage depot. The great building that was a gold refinpry is being converted into one of the largest and best equipped motor garages in the Auckland province, city establishments not excepted. No less than eleven new business people have come to the town during the year, and an infusion of new blood is always a good thing for the progress of any town. Let us welcome the new men in our midst.

Apart from the drainage works, the Borough Council has not been able to contribute very materially to the progress of the town, but this the Borough Council cannot justly be blamed for, in view of the financial stringency affecting all local bodies in a tremendously adverse way. But the Paeroa Borough is in the position of a man in debt, who must needs economise and practise the art of doing without until he has paid his debts and can make a clean start. This is sound policy, and with a little more self-sacrifice on the part oi the community in respect to public services .will eventually win out. The conclusion that the future of Paeroa greatly depends upon co-operation between the people of Paeroa and of the Plains is now fully accepted, and the closer the unity between the people of the town and the district the better for all concerned. One way in which these feelings of goodwill can be substantially strengthened is for the residents of Paeroa to give generous assists ance to the Hauraki Plains A. and P. Association, whose annual fixture takes place on February 18, the entries closing on February 4. In our next issue we shall endeavour to point out the objects to be aimed at during the coming year for the further development of the district, in order that the whole community may enjoy a PROGRESSIVE NEW YEAR.