“Gazette” District News

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4393, 22 March 1922, Page 3

“Gazette” District News

KOMATA REEFS. SCHOOL TEACHER. After being over a fortnight without a teacher, the Kpmata Reefs school has at last had one appointed by the Board, in the person of Mr Cox, who opened school on the 17th instant. BAD STATE OF ROAD. The January flood washed away part of the apprqach to the bridge at what is known locally as the Devil's Elbow. After nearly two months have gone by nothing has been done fo remedy the except the placing of a notice on the bridge to say that it is dangerous to traffic. No doubt but that the Council has had its hands full with repair work in many places, or this would have received attention, but as the approach is sinking’ under the continual usage, it .needs attention if an accident is to be averted. Some new timber has also been put on the decking of another bridge, which has had the result of making the edge of tlhe bridge higher than the road surface, and in consequence vehicles receive a very severe shake on passing on tp the bridge. TURUA. ? SPRING TIDE FLOODS. The effect of the exceptionally hign spring tides was felt in Turua atl the end of last week. On one occasion the water rose above the bank on one lbw.-lying section, and covered the land adjoining the boardinghouse with spveral inches of water. BROKEN WINDOWS. There have been some exceptionally strong winds and a severe thunder storm on the Plains recently, and tb one of these causes might .be attributed •the state of three panes of glass in Mr H. Grundy’s shop window,. The panes have been completely smashed, and practically no glass left, between the woodwork. A "Gazette” reporter, on inquiring into the origin oif the damage, was told to “ask the boy's.” Inquiring from *he said "boys,” it was found that there had been a quarrel, and one party to the argument, had in some way caused the abpvementioned. damage.

NGATEA. POKENO SERVICE. According to a letter from Mr Heaven, of Maramarua, displayed in the Ngatea post! office, it is intended to commence a motor service from Pokeno to Ngatea,-via Waitakaruru and Pipiroa. The service, it. is stated, will begin on January 1, 1923. There has already been''a guarantee of £lOO offered in connection with the running of the service. Such a service as suggested by Mr Heaven would undoubtedly be a distinct advantage ’to people wishing easy access from Auckland to the Hauraki Plains. It. is extremely doubtful, however, that tihis service will be able to run during the winter months, when the cl,Uy roads (and there are several miles of these) are in their worst state. The Paeroa mail and service cars have proved themselves on the wet roads, and unless the Pokeno service can run al 1 - •the year round the Paeroa services are bound to receive the patfronage off the Ngatea people. The fare oa the Pokeno run, which will be nearly 40 miles, may also be prohibitive to. the majority. MOVING PIG DEPOT. The Kiwi Bacon Company’s pig depot caused a little controversy in Ng?tea when it was first erected. It is again being brought into prominence by the fact that it has been moved from its former position on to a section nearer the boardinghouse. It was evidently on tlie section claimed by Ngatea’s new baker, Mr W. Montgomery, who is now commencing the erection of his bakehouse. NETHERTON. ROAD METALLING. About three chains of the Awaiti West Road have been metalled by the Lands Department, which is obtaining the metal from Messrs Ratcliff and Son’s quarry a£ Karangahake. KEREPEEHI. LANDS DEPARTMENT. The population of Kereepehi is being augmented by additions to the Lands Department staff. The Hopai pipe workers and blacksmith’s shop is being removed to Kerepeehi, The Ngatea metal gang is also coming to Kerepeehi, to work on the KerepeehiNgatea road metalling job. This latter work will commence on the first available opportunity.;