“Gazette” District News

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4411, 8 May 1922, Page 3

“Gazette” District News

NETHERTON. HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. The recent householders’ meeting at Netherton was very poorly attended. This may be taken by 'the outgoing school committee as an indication that the householders wore quite satisfied with affairs, but at the same time their apathy must be deplored in that more -interest is not being shown in school matters. The old committee was re-elected as follows : Messrs C. H. Potter, RAdair, P. Harold, W. Harold, and H. Whisker. Mr Patter was re-elected chairman of; the committee and Mr Adam secretary. HALL REVENUE. With the announcement that the annual meeting in connection witli the Netherton Hall is to be held in the near future, it is gratifying to note that the financial position is sound and the hall revenue has been sufficient for requirements. The hail funds have been considerably augmented by the weekly dancing classes, which are proving to be popular with the young folk of the district The classes are altso a good source of revenue, between 15s and £1 being credited to the hall each week. STOP-BANKS. When the stop-banks were formed in the Netherton district the spoil for the work was taken from the ground between the banks and the river. The taking o'f the spoil was done in a systematic manner, oblong pits being excavated. The pits were separated by narrow strips of earth left untouched. Now, the cattle from the adjoining paddocks, when going to the river to drink, can easily slip off these narrow strips, over which they must pass to get to the river. When the cattle fall from the narrow strips of earth into the pits the animals get bogged in the slushy surroundings and die unless located in time. It is jLaid that much valuable stock has been lost in that manner. The Public Works Department, it is understood, had this defect pointed put, and ir. any further works of that nature ample provision will be made for the' stock to reach' the river. The pits will be made further apart. z DRAIN AND FLOODGATE.. ’ A work of some magnitude is al present being carried out ,at Netherton. A drain 20ft wide is being, made from the river and will extend into the Awaiti. The length of the drain will be about five miles. Most of the work is being done, by a dredge, but as the drain neared" the road between Netherton and- Paeroa, some 'of the digging, had to be done by hand. The present culvert over the old smaill drain is soon to be taken away and a bridf-o constructed alongside it to cater for the traffic. The dredge will then re-commence operations on the opposite side of the road. The large flood-gate is nearly completed, and The plastering is now being finished, but the doors have not yet been put on.. That 'ne building of the flood-gate was no small undertaking is noted when it is stated that about 40 tons of cement were used on the Jon. FACTORY OUTPUT, With the close of the season the supply to the Netherton fa'etpry, as is the case with all other factories, is gradually falling off. The season has been a fair one, but not as success ful as the last, as there will be about 30 tons less cheese turned out this season than was the case the . previous year. Last season’s output was 3.15 tons, but this year the amount will be only about 260 cr 270 tons. The decrease in supply is attributed to the fart that several settlers hal doubts regarding the prospects of cheese ar.ri sent their Cram to the Paeroa butter factory. Though this season the number of suppliers has been less, better results have been obtained. All tests have been considerably higher, and in March the average test was 4.32. This is thought to fie partly the result of a better, season coupled With an improvement in the herds. The culling out of. the "scrubbers” and the substitution of a better class of animal would, more than anything, tend to bring the tests above what was previously realised, TURUA. FOOTBALL DANCE. A very successful dan'ce was held by the Turua Football Club on Thursday evening. Preparations were well made, and a large number of guests spent ,a very enjoyable evening. About 40 or 50 couples occupied the floor throughout the evening, dancing to the music of Mr H. Rowntree. Mr W. Clark was M.C. The olub should benefit considerably as a result of their effort. NGATEA. DEBATE. ■ • Neaily 40 people attended a further debate held by ■tihe local debating society in the Public Hall on Thursday. The discussion on this occasion wn.S’ "That the Press has a greater influence over the public than the Pu'pit. Mr Murray led the''affirmative and had Mr Harvey as a seconder,, while Mr Schultz was the leader of the negative, seconded by the Rev. Hemmings. After the opening speeches the matter was freely discussed by ■those present and was followed by the final iemarks of the leaders. A vote taken declared the affirmative the winners of the debate. ■

It was decided that the next debate would be "Should bachelors be taxed ?” Tfie subjects will be led b5 r two young men and seconded by young ladies.