LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4395, 27 March 1922, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A jumble in connection with St. Paul’s Church’, is to he held in the Parish Hall to-night.

The annual smoker of the Tirphia-Rotokphu-Perepiki Ratepayers.’ Association will take place on Thursday evening. All those interested in the area are cordially invited to attend.

During the sitting of the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers Commission, 1921, Mr E. J., (Mendon (Thames) dubbed the Tirohia-Rotokohu-Pere-niki Ratepayers’ Association as. "The Tirohia Primrose League.’’ Notwithstanding the facetious nature of the title, it would certainly, be less unwieldy than the present, name.

"He is a live main, .and interested in our area ; we' must get him into the Association,” was a remark made in reference to Cr. Wilfred Johnstone at a meeting of the Tirbhia-Roto-kOhu-Pereniki Ratepayers’ Association or. Friday night.

People with, unusual names frequently cause a little misunderstanding. A letter from one, Mr Heaven, was under and it was suggested that that individual would visit Ngatea. Said a speaker: "If Heaven ' comes to Ngatea —” “Couldn’t we go to Heaven,” interrupted a wag.

A suggestion was made at a meeting on Friday night that an annual dinner should be held by the Tirohia-Rotokohu-Pereniki Ratepayers’ Association. “Who is going to pay foY the dinner?” asked a member. "The Hon. J, G. Coates, Minister for Public Works, guardian angel of the Association,” answered another.

It was announced last week that Mr J. B. Thompson, Chief Drainage Engineer, had been promoted to the position of Under-Secretary for Lands. Mr Thompson was the first resident engineer on the Hauraki Plains, and was succeeded by Messrs Morrin, Logan, and Taylor. Leaving the Hauraki Plains, Mr, Thompson took the position he has now Vacated. He has been responsible for the first draining works on the Hauraki •Plains. Seeing the necessity for more efficient methods of work he went last year to America, from w.hich place he acquired the modern devices which have arrived on the Hauraki Plains and other parts of New

“It, is a hopeless proposition to make this Association a live body,” said Mr L. E. Cassrels, chairman of the Tirohia-Rotokohu-Pereniki Ratepayers’ Association, in answer to a question by Mr T. P. Vuglar at a meeting on Friday night. “I do not want to be persona,!," the chairman added ; even though tbi.s is your first 1 appearance, Mr Vuglar, you have beater, many of the members by one attendance.” Mr Vuglar “ducked” adroitly, explaining that he was not a

At the annual meeting of the Ngatea branch of the Farmers’ Union oh Saturday Mr G. T. Davidson stated that the s.s. Oneroa had bee', landing Ngatea’s butter in Auckland in better condition than what the other ships had been doing it. Mr Hayward moved that a letter of appreciation be sent to the Piako Shipping, Co. bn the way in which its boat had been shipping the butter. 20,000 feet of building timber are advertised for sale by the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Company -at Ngatea yards on Friday next. Mr Justice Stringer had a few remarks |o make anent the work of the private inquiry agent, in a divorce case that came before him at Hamilton. When, said His Honour., a town had dirty streets, the local governing authority employed a scavenger to clean them up and bury the garbage. The private detective engaged on this class of case was what 1 might be described as a moral scavenger, who followed women about and spied on them in order to gather what, garbage he could front their immoral acts, but instead of burying this garbage he brought it into Court as the foundation for a divorce. “A legitimate occupation, certainly,” added His Honour, "but a very uncleanly one.”

It is recorded that, one day recently there were 400 applicants for the right id rent a five-roomed house which was advertised to be let in Wellington (says the Post). It is clear, therefore, that the housing shortage continues. Some attempt to overcome the shortage has been made in the direction of converting existing buildings, into flats. A start has been made at. Oriental Bay with the construction of a new type of bui’ding, which will probably become more common as the city grows. As the ground space is limited, the present scheme is not a big one. Four houses will be built one above the other, and each will be entered flrom an inside stair common to all. The structure will be reinforced concrete, and will have garages on the ground floor. Each flat will contain a large drawing-room, overlooking the harbour, with folding doors into a small dining-room, the combined length being over 30 feet. A large sleeping balcony, also overlooking the harbour, two bedrooms’, kitchen, and bathroom will, with wardrobes, cupboards, and all complete in each ease what ought to be a comfortable home. A feature will be the absence of chimneys and coal fires. Cooking, heating, and lighting will be provided for by up-to-date, well-regulated gas fires and electricity. •