TURUA RATEPAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4489, 8 November 1922, Page 3

TURUA RATEPAYERS.

THE ASSOCIATION’S MEETING. KOPU FERRY SERVICE. A meeting of the Turua Ratepayers’ Association was held on Monday evening, Mr D. G. McMiUap presiding over only a small attendance. The Hauraki Plains County Council advised that it had urged the Thames County Council to have an improved time-table on the Kppu ferry. Mr J. Schmidt said there had been complaints that the Kopu ferryman ran very , promptly to time and on two occasions- he knew when the ferry had left a little before the advertised time. Although vehicles arrived just as the barge was leaving the ferryman refused to go back. The chairman said the association had been twitted for urging an increased service on the ferry and ye<. was against the bridge, It was r’diculous to compare the two. Thev were already paying a heavy rate on the ferry.

It was also stated that on occasions the ferryman had iefused to run special trips. One day he had missed a trip, contending the sea was too rough, the speakef saying the water was calm for the trip. Mr Schmidt said there had been a tremendous lot of carting across the ferry to Orongo, and one man had already paid £9 in. ferry changes. For a continuous running of the service signals might be arranged. If there were six trips per day it would obviate the necessity ofj specials. Mr Madgwick said the matter could well be left to the Thames Chamber of Commerce. The Council’s letter was received. ELECTRIC POWER. Mr Newman reported that, he had received no reply with regard to the association’s request to, the Thames Valley Electric Power Board for more fitters to be placed in the district, but the foreman had intimated that more men would be put on and all the lighting would be completed before winter.

The chairman said the Board had gone too far ahead with the wining. There were miles and miles of wiring, but little attention was being paid to the installation of light in the houses. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P-, acknowledg ing a letter from the association, said he would be pleased to make a recommendation to have the name of Mr Richard Baker added to the list of Justices of the Peace. Mr Rhodes also enclosed a letter from the Hon. S. P. Lee, who intimated that he would have Mr Baker’s name listed for consideration when further additions were-being made to the Commission of the Peace. TELEPHONE HOURS. ./ Air H. Boyd, chief postmaster, Thames', acknowledged the receipt of the association’s request to have a Sunday telephone service at the Turua exchange, and the matter would receive consideration. It was reported that the new service would most likely be ip operation shortly. - MAIN TELEPHONE LINE. It was reported that the Auckland Chamber of Commerce had received a suggestion fjrom Messrs Bagnall Bros, that a shorter imain telephone line could be provided to Thames via. Turua, and had been submitted to the Postmaster-General-ROADS SCHEME.

The chairman said he had been requested to ask what the Council had done with £3OO available on the Orchard East Road. The settlers had asked that the money be used for road metalling but nothing had yet been done. He suggested that the associatiop bring the matter before the Council.

On the motion pfi the chairman it was decided to wait on the Council drawing its attention to the position existing with the Orchard Ease Road and the tar macadam scheme. The chairman criticising the action of the Council filling in the iholes in the road with clay said it had been contended by the County engineer that the day made a good summer road- “We don’t want summer roadsWe want winter ones,” he said. He also s.aid that, barrels of clay were being put in holes in the Orchard East Road. TURUA’S WHARF. The secretary, Mr Newman, report-ed-that the Thames’ Harbour Board had not replied to a request by the association that a wharfinger be placed on the Turua wharf. It was decided to remind the Harbour Board that the association’s request (had not been acknowledged.

The chairman said the trade warranted the services of a man on the wharf, if; not all the time, part of trhe time.'