DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4501, 8 December 1922, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

IMiATEA. SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The Ngatea School Committee met on Monday evening, the following being present: Messrs W. McDuif (chairman), E. Walton, W. Clark, WJ. Clare, and C. W. Shultz (secretary). The Auckland Education Board advised that money earned by . the children as remuneration gained by the children for cleaning the school building, was not eligible for a subsidy The Board had on several occasions protested against the Departmen’s attitude. The Board in a later communication advised that under the special circumstances it had authorised a grant of £l4- Is 4d. The money ir- to be devoted towards im-provement-s to the school grounds. • Mr Walton said that tine Education Board had advised him that authority to make additions to the Ngatea School had been applied for. Mr Clare said that when the improvements to the grounds and the additions to the school were effected, the committee should consider a proposal to provide a decent flag pole. The committee agreed that this should be kept in view. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE. The Ngatea telephone exchange opened on Monday. There aie at present 33 subscribers connected up, and it is expected that before long the total subscribers will reach 90. The exchange will then be open continuously from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. From Wednesday the assistant which has 'hitherto been employed only part of th.o time will be employed at the office continuously each day. When the 90 subscribers are all connected, the office staff will have to be increased tp three- The office is. small enough, at present, but when the exchange has its full number of subscribers and the increased staff, conditions will undoubtedly be more than cramped. CHRISTMAS TREE. The Mutual Improvement Society, at a meeting on Tuesday evening, Mr C. W. Shultz in the chair, discussed a proposal to work in conjunction with Mr D. A. Vincent and arrange a Christmas tree for, Christmas Eve. The chairman outlining the scheme said it would be run on the sams lines as. a similar function held two years ago. . tl would be the aim to provide a musical programme and refreshments, Mr Vincent conducting the Christmas tree. It w.as decided to co-operate with Mr Vincent and arrangements were made accordingly. FACTORY OUTPUT. The supplies of butter-fat to the Ngatea butter factory continue to show an increase over a corresponding period of last year. During last month, 202 tons of butter were made,* an increase of 75 tons for, the month of November, 1921. It is pleasing tp note that .all the butter was, graded high, the last consignment being graded 95 points in the Government grade stores in Auckland. This further demonstrates the possibilities .of the Hauraki Plains for producing high-grade butter, which is being graded equal to tfie finest in New Zealand. The factory is being greatly handicapped owing to the delay in having the electric power switched on. TURUA. EXTENDED TELEPHONE HOURS. Extended hours are now in operation at the Turua telephone exchange. The Turua Ratepayers’ Association, finding that the number of subscribers warranted an extended service, made immediate application with the result that the exchange is now open and from 5 p.m. till 6 p.m. on Sundays from 9 a.m. till- 10 a.m. The week day hours have been changed from 7 a.m. till 10 p.m. to a longer service, and is now open from 7 a.m. till 11 p.m.