A YEAR’S RETROSPECTION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4795, 5 January 1925, Page 4

A YEAR’S RETROSPECTION

—. —* . (Continued from Page 1.) the Plains was doubled during the year by the opening of churches M Waitiikaruru and Ngatea. Other centres are moving in the same direction. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. New schools were opened at Orongo and Kopu.araht during the year, the Kerepeehi school was enlarged, a residence was provided for the schoolmaster at Kaihere, and the Ngatea District. High School was formally opened by the Hon. Minister for Education.

By the Post and Telegraph Department an effort has been made to keep abreast of the progress of the district. The number of telephone subscribers lias shown a great increase during the year, and the increase will be more rapid when permitted. The erection of a telephone exchange at Waitakaruru has been authorised, and the erection of a new' post office at Ngatea is now well under way. Renovations have been carried out at the Turua post office, a rural mail delivery service established from Kerepeehi, and new mail routes have bee.’i established. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. Building activity has been general all over the county, and in Ngatea and Kerepeehi many new shops have been opened or. are shortly to be opened. In Ngatea particularly has this activity been noticeable, and at the present time, there are more shops ,and public buildings in that centre than any other in the county. SPORT. in the realm of sport the good name of the district has been maintained, and a great increase in the number of followers can be recorded. The county football team again succeeded in holding the Frank Poland Memorial Cup. and very nearly secured the Birch Cup. The past season saw an increase in the number or football clubs in the district to seven, and at the same time hockey was represented. 8 Tennis and cricket also showed advancement, and the district now compares very favourably with any other rural area in the standard of play and the facilities for playing. Practically every centre has its con'crete tennis courts or cricket pitch. Such enthusiasm for organised games could not fail to have an influence on athletics, and a very fair showing is put up at the annual athletic sports at Turua, Kerepeehi, Pipiroa, and Torehape. There are public domains at Pipiroa Waitakaruru, Kerepeehi, and Turua, and their value is fully realised Altogether, the progress of the Plains has been sure and real, so that year by year the district is becoming a better place to live in and one with a glorious future—not a problematical one, for the foundations are being well and truly laid.