DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4381, 22 February 1922, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

patetonga. DOMAIN BOARD GAZETTED. A domain board for Patetonga has recently (been gazetted and the following declared'members: Messrs 0. Bennett, J. Costello, G. H. Mayn, J. F. Mayn, C. H. Dwyer, J. Patterson, E. F. T. Potoky, D. J, Rogers, and N. Wallace. , At the first meeting of the board plans l and fencing were discussed. It it contemplated to plant trees to make the place attractive. Tennis courts will also be Ijtid down on the domain, and the site has already been plough ed. It is hoped tp have the courts ready for next summer, RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Patetonga ratepayers’ Association was held in the hail on Monday evening, Mr D. J. Rogers presiding. . Mr J. F. Mayn (county ccincillor) was present. The chief business was the discussion of the County baalnpe-sheet, and many questions were asked regarding it and answered to the best of his ability by Mr Mayn, One of the conundrums was why was the Patetonga riding so much in debt when it was taken from the Ohinemuri County by the Hauraki Plains County'? It was eventually decided to ask the county clerk (Mr E. Walton), and Crs. Mayn and McLougihlin to attend a meeting to explain the balance-sheet. / A great deal was said regarding the valuation of land, It was pointed out that the sections along the ’ foothills, had been unjustly classified regarding drainage rates, about which it was decided to write to the Government. , / There were' present several Maukoro farmers, who urged a revaluation of their land. ' A peculiar position was related by one settler, who declared that he paid the Hauraki Plains general rate and two special rates levied by the Government for roads and bridges 18 miles away. He had asked the County Council to improve the roads near his property, but had) been informed that the Council had no authority/to do so. Several bad places along the hill road were commented bn. McDonald’;: bridge was in a bad state, while a stream at Mangawhero was washing /the road away. Devil’s Elbow bend on the saleyards hill was very dangerous, and the road, it was contended, should be straightened to cut off this dangerous bend.

■ —“ftahuna. THE NEW HALL. • , The new hall is in the course of construction at Tahuna, and already the walls and the roof have been erected. The building is 70ft by 28ft. A stage 12ft deep and the full width of the hall is tp be built. x There will also be two ante-rooms- 9ft by Bft at the entrance. The hall is expected to be completi ed in about three or four weeks’ time, when an official opening will take place in the form of a concert and dance. The district possesses some really good talent, so that" the success of the concert is assured. * Several social evenings have recently been held in aid of the piano fund. MAUKORO ESTATE. The settlers on the Maukoro estate have recently been complaining of the. valuation of their land. The estate was cut up and. allotted. Now, it is contended, some settlers are paying too much rates and some not enough. A few are actually paying rates on double the price they paid for their holdings. The values have evidently - been assessed in v a haphazard manner. The settlers have really got a grievance, but the Valuation Department |ias refused them a'hearing, 1 THE ROADS. There has been some delay in making the Maukoro deviation. . The formation of this hew route, which will shorten the distance between Tahuna -and Patetonga by about three miles, is being eagerly awaited not only by the Tahuna people but also •by the Patetpnga settlers. The two county council motor trucks are working well In taking metal from the Tahuna quarry to the Tahupa-MorrinsviTle Road. Two chains, of metal are being put on the rodd each day, and about 30 chains are already down. Dust is abundant on all clay roads during the dry weather, but round Tahuna it is exceptionally plentiful, arid in some places must be a goot deep. KAIHERE. THE DREDGE. The Bucyrus dredge is working particularly well on the Ngarua canal, and in a little over a week has excavated Some considerable amount of spoil, which is being,deposited on the roadside. Of course traffic will be Slightly inconvenienced in the immediate vicinity of the dredge, but the efforts of (the dredge men are reduc-j ing this as much as possible.