METAL FOR THE PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4428, 16 June 1922, Page 2

METAL FOR THE PLAINS.

PROPOSED QUARRY PURCHASE. KAUAERANGA WANTED' A deputation, consisting of. Messrs J. C. Miller, (chairman), C. W. Parfitt, and T. McLoughlin, representing the Hauraki Plains County Council, waited on the Thames County Council yesterday, when proposals were put forward for the purchase fjronr the Thames County of the Kauaeranga quarry. Mr. Miller said the ratepayers on the Hauraki Plains saw that they .were up against the metal problem. The deputation had several propositions they intended to consider, including the Thames County quarrjy at the Kauaeranga. He wished to know if the Thames County would consider disposing of it. If they would hot dispose of the quarry the deputation might negotiate for a few hundred yards of metal. Mr. McLoughlin said that in the event of the Hauraki Plains County purchasing the quarry they would give the Thames County permission to draw supplies therefrom. The Thames County roads would not he used, as the metal would be transported by punts. Mr. Lowe said the Thames County Council was at present obtaining a report for the development of a quarry at Matatoki, which would be more central. They could not poss bly give the deputation any imxne-i diate reply. They must first go into the whole matter deeply. Ifi the Council could see its way clear to develop the Matatoki quarry they might be able to dispose of the Kauaeranga qjuarry. They could not give any immediate reply, but they could supply any metal the Hauraki Plains Council required. Mr. Miller suggested that if the Kauaeranga quarry was to be disposed of, committees representing the two counties should confer to finally sett'e the matter. Replying to Mr. McLoughlin, Mr. Lowe said that the Council could supply metal within about a fortnight. Mr. Miller said that the Plains Council had bought three punts, and had .them altered to be made suitable for the Gulf. He wished to know i? one punt load of metal could be obtained immediately to enable them to try one of the punts. The clerk said the first load could be obtained within a fortnight.