DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4559, 4 May 1923, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

PATETONGA. DRAINAGE. Mr Taylor, Lands Drainage Engineer, has been meeting settlers at, different places on the Plains during the last week or so to discuss drainage matters. As a preliminary to a very large and representative meeting of settlors in the Public Hall on April 26 a committee was formed. The resolutions passed were : To approach Mr Taylor, the Lands Drainage Engineer, and discover his views on the recent flood and his intentions in regard to preventing the possibility of futuie flooding. To request that two dredges be put in the Waitakaruru Canal. That there should be more outlets, and that all outlets should be cleaned twice a year prior to May. Thai a local engineer be apopinted to attend to obstructions in local drains. The committee consisted of J. F. Mayn (chairman), J. Patterson, T. McLoughlin, C. Harris, T. Lynch, W. Pearson, A. Whiteman, G. Preston,-A J. McDonald, A. Christie, W. Benny, J. K. Hodge, T. Sanders, and J. K Pateison (secretary). Mr Taylor, on his arrival, stated that he did not know of a drainage system that could stand 7% inches of rain within 23 .hours, as had been the case in the recent flood. Judging from reports, there were districts much worse off than the Plains South Dunedin, for instance. In reply to the query of Mr Mayn, as to the best means of expediting tfie discharge of surplus flood water,, he said that all energy should be concentrated on the river. At present there was a dead sheet level of water at Ngatea, and he did not see any use in draining into that. As to the canal, perhaps another two years would see it through. The banks kept falling in, so that, naturally, progress was very slow. Until it was completed he could not guarantee the Plains against flooding. When questioned as to whether one dredge could be spared for Ngarua, Mr Taylor replied t,hat it was not within his power to accede to the request. Mr McLoughlin said that the committee could not let the matter drop there, and would approach Mr O. N. Campbell and see if he would give them any satisfaction. Regarding the outlets, Mr Taylor said he could give no definite promise. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Mr Taylor. HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. There was a good attendance at the householders’ meeting on Monday evening. Mr J. F. Mayn presided. The annual report and balance-sheet were read and adopted. Mention was made in the report of the great credit that was due to the teachers for the way in which the pupils had got on. At the last examinations every child presented had passed, and in addition one had obtained a scholarship. The following committee was elected : J. F. Mayn, J. K. Paterson, JReid, O. darken, G. Lindsay. Mr Mayn was appointed chairman and Mr Patterson secretary. 7, VITAKAKURU. HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. There was a fair attendance at the householders’ meeting at Waitaka ruru. The chairman, Mr C. W. Harris, in the annual report commented very favourably on. the work of teacher. The inspector’s report, was very good. The balance-sheet showed a credit, of £25. It "was suggested that shelter trees be planted and a tennis court laid down. The following were elected a committee : C. W. Harris, R. Hunter, J. Donaghy, S. Caie, and H. Berney. Mr Harris was re-elected chairman and Mr Hunter re-elected secretary. MANGATARATA. HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. There was a fair attendance at the Mangatarata householders’ meeting, Mr G. Perry presiding. The annual report was very satisfactory,, and the balance-sheet showed a credit if £2l. The following were appointed a committee : G. Perry, A. Vinson, R. G. Sexton, F. J. Sexton, and F. Epps. Mr Perry was elected chairman and Mr R. C. Sexton secretary. PIPIROA. HALL SOCIETY. - The annual meeting of the Pipiroa Hall Society was held on Saturday last. Mr L. M. Murray presided. The balance-sheet, showing a loss of £4 5s on the year’s working, was adopted. The deficit was explained by the expenditure of £l7 17s on repairs to the hall piano. The following officers were re-elect-ed : President, Mr L. M. Murray; vicepresidents, Messrs F. L. Wallis and D. J. O’Carroll; secretary, Mr E. C. Marshall; auditor, Mr C. W. Parfitt; committee, Messis J. Porter, W. Ganley, and E. Keane. It was decided that the hall hire should be paid on delivery of the key for all entertainments and political meetings. A working bee will be held in the near future to repair fences and clean up the ground. THE DOMAIN. A working bee was held recently on the Domain and a sheep-proof fence was erected to protect the trees. The material for the fence was purchased by public subscription. Sheep have been placed on the domain to eat the grass. The ground will then be rolled, etc., to prepare it for football, should it be required. HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. Mr C. W. Parfitt presided at the meeting of householders, and in the annual report said that .the past year had been a very unsatisfactory one for the pupils, owing to the number of temporary teachers appointed. However, now that, there was a permanent teacher an improvement would be expected. There was a credit balance pf £2B. Seven candidates were nominated for the committee, and the following were elected : Messrs J. Porter, B. Keane, W.

Ganley, J. Clarke, and E. C. Marshall. Mr Porter was elected chairman and Mr Keane secretary. The previous committee had met only once during the year, so it was decided to hold regular monthly meet-, ings on the Tuesday nearest the full moon. . • KEREPEEHL HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. There was not a very big attendance at the householders’ meeting on Monday evening. Mr W. Booth presided. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £ll in the school fund, £2O in the library fund, £5 subscribed for cocoa, and an unexpended giant of £lO for paths. Considerable discussion arose on the question of extensions to the school, and it was decided, as a recommendation to the new committeethat it write to the Minister of Education pointing out the necessity for enlarging the school. It was stated that, there was accommodation for 42 pupils, and the number; on the roll, was 68. The average attendance during the past four weeks was 61. The inspector, who had visited the school recently, strongly recommended a new school. It. was also recommended that the trees around the school should be removed. It was decided that a letter should be sent to Mr L. A. Bagnall conveying the meeting’s appreciation of his work as secretary during the past two years; also sympathy with him in his present illness. The following were elected a committee : Messrs H. D. Jamieson, W. Herkt, A. H. Hoff, W. Thompson, and R. Carr. Mr H. D.-Jamieson was appointed chairman and Mr A. H. Hoff secretary. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman. THE SHOOTING SEASON. A great many parties of sportsmen were up the river on Tuesday, but very small bags were otbained. The largest to date , was obtained by J. Smith and party, who secured 75 brace of ducks in two days. TURUA. HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. There was a very good attendance at the householders’ meeting at Tur.ua on Monday. The Rev. D. C. Stewart presided. The annual report stated that the past year had ben a fairly satisfactory one. A new classroom had been completed, and the additional space • was greatly appreciated by the-statf and scholars. General improvements had been carried out in .the school grounds, and the library had been enlarged by the addition of 172 books, costing £23 Us. The balance .sheet • showed a credit of £23. The inspector’s report stated that the efficiency of the school was very ' fair. The headmaster in his report stated that, the present roll number was 171, and the average attendance last yea! was 148. < Favourable comments were made on all the reports, and votes of thanks to tb.e staff and the committee were carried unanimously. The following were appointed the committee: Messrs F. H. Stephens, J. w. Chapman, C. Dale, J. McConnell, L. S. Murray, A. Walker, and T. H. White. At a meeting of the committee held later Mr Stephens was elected chairman and Mr A. Walker secretary. KOPUABAHI. HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. Very few attended the meeting of householders at Kopuarahi. Mr W. Hale presided. The annual report dealt with the efforts to obtain a bet- : ter school. At present there are 70 pupils on the roll, and there is accommodation for 4*5. The inspector had recommended that a new school should be built <m the present site. The Education Board had applied to the Department for a grant. The large amount of voluntary work . done by residents of the district accounted for the satisfactory credit in ; the balance-sheet of £4O 9s 3d. An excellent report pn the conduct of the school was given by the in- r spector. The old committee, comprising Msesrs W. Hale (chairman), J. G. Miller, E. C. Harwood, C. H. Law- . rence, and D. J. O’Carroll (secretary) was re-elected.