DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4605, 24 September 1923, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

WAITAKARURU. TENNIS CLUB. ’the annual general meeting of the r -- Waitakaruru Tennis Club was held in the Public Hall on Friday evening. In the absence of the president Mr IL Fraser was elected chairman. There was a fair attendance of members. _ The third annual report and bal-ance-sheet was presented and adopted- . It stated that the season had been a most successful one. The club had emerged successfully from the law Cup competition, and had'-also 'T won the Howell-Williams Memorial Shield, while the B team had won the Hayward Shield. The thanks pf the club were again due to Mr and Mrs Stretton, who had so generously placed their court at the club’s disposal. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £3 4,s sd. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr R. T. Williams (re-elected) ; presidents, Messrs T. W. Elliott, H. Clover, W. Y. Burdus, W. Stretton, and H. Berney; secretary, Mr G. L Griffith; committee, Mrs Otter, Misses Faherty and G. Williams, and Mes^Ufr 3 C. Stretton, N. Death, and N. Hedges. Subscription fees were fixed at 15s for men and 5s for ladies. It was decided to again approach Mr Stretton and ask for the use of his court. The committee was empowered to make arrangements for improving the courts. * . The date of the opening day was left in the hands of the committee. It was decided to ppstpone the annual ball until the autumn.

PATETONGA. PUBLIC MEETING. At a large and representative meet- j ing of ratepayers in the Patetpnga Hall on the 14’th fest. much indignation was expressed against the excessive rating and unsatisfactory conditions existing, It was diaimed that, _ in comparison with the rest of the Hau raki Plains, Patetonga was being unfairly treated. While in other parts, of the county there were many miles’ of roads formed and metalled, in Patetonga only 97% chafes had been done. Since the county council had taken over the roads from the Government the rates had increased to 4.76 d in the £. Unimproved values in the locality were also considered excessively high. It was resolved that the ratepayers as a body should refuse to pay rates to the Council or Government until . some measure of adjustment was obtained. It was also resolved to petition the Lands Department, pointing out the hardships and pecuniary difficulties placed on the settlers and asking that the roads be taken over by the Department from the County Couniol. It was decided to call another meeting at an early date, and that councillors Mayn and McLoughlin should** be invited to attend and report on their mission to Wellington. A committee was formed, and Mr D. Rogers was elected president, Mr A. J. McDonald vice-president, Mr NWallace .secretary, and Messrs W. Pearson, A. Whiteman, J. K. Paterson,. H, Taylor, J. Patterson, D. and E. Hubbard members. On Tuesday <last another meeting took place, and Crs. Mayn and McLoughlin attended. Much indignation was expressed against the Department’s unsatisfactory reply to the request concerning local matted that required attention, and it was resolved that the drainage engineers, Messrs Campbell and Tay- J lor, be invited to meet ratepayers at an early date. Delegates attended from the Kaihere district and requested to be allowed to join up with the Patetpnga association. -