KEREPEEHI AFFAIRS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5103, 21 March 1927, Page 3

KEREPEEHI AFFAIRS.

MR. SAMUEL MEETS SETTLERS. DISTRICT MATTERS DISCUSSED. Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., Ohinemuri, met a representative gathering of 20 Kerepeehi district settlers at Kerepeehi on Friday last for the purpose of discussing matters affecting the progress of the district. Cr. A. L. Fisher, t,he riding representative, presided, and in opening the discussion explained that the settlers desirgd Mr Samuel to understand the local problems so that he could assist the district. THE KEREPEEHI BLOCK. The most important, matters concerned the opening up of the Crown lands in the locality, particularly the Kerepeehi block. With this was connected the equally important matter of constructing t,he bridge over the Awaiti canal and the Piako River at the Kaihere landing. Mr J. M. Thompson endorsed the importance of the matters, and said that the settlers could not understand the reason 'for the delay. In regard to the bridges, the Lands Department had commenced work on the structure two years ago, but after three piles had been driven the work was stopped. The timber was lying on the canal bank, and was deteriorating.

Cr. Fisher pointed, put that as, soon as the canal bridge was erected the Ngarua bridge would have to be constructed. This was a job for the county council in conjunction with the Public Works and the Lands departments. In reply to Mr Samuel Cr. Fisher said that there was no opposition to the bridge from any group of settlers. It was the unanimous wish that it be opened-as soon as possible. Mr J. M. Thompson moved that this representative meeting of Kerepeehi district settlers urge the Government through Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P., to open the Kerepeehi block for selection without further delay and to expedite the construction o’f the Awaiti canal bridge.

In seconding the motion Mr W. Herkt explained that the Kerepeehi block had been surveyed into about fifty 50-acre farms several years ago, and that the longer settlement, was delayed the greater would be the growth of noxious weeds, which pest was already assuming serious proportions.

Mr H. D. Jamieson raised .the point of the metalling of the subsidiary roads through the block before the settlement was allowed to take place. At present only the main road was metalled, and if a ballot was to take place in ’.the near future the new settiers would be in a similar position in regard to the reading as the Patetonga district. Mr Samuel pointed out that the policy o'f merely forming roads had been so severely criticised by him in the. House and by the Patetonga Commission that it was unlikely that the Government would open further roads without metalling them. Reverting, to the pumping of the Kerepeehi block, which w had been given as a reason for the delay, Mr H. D. Jamieson said that, the Power Board was able to promise the installation of pumps in three months. Th'e Lands Department had mentioned pumps two years ago, so it could not maintain this excuse for the delay very much longer. Mr Samuel agreed, but pointed out that the job was of such magnitude that it was undoubtedly wise for the department to proceed cautiously. The motion was carried. BETTER POST OFFICE. An improvement in postal, telegraph, and telephone facilities, and also the establishment of a permanent. post office at Kerepeehi, were advocated by Mr D. Shilton as a, subject on which further representations should be made. Mr Shilton drew a comparison between the facilities at Kerepeehi and at other places on the Plains. Mr W. Booth supported, and pointed out that the department had stated that the facilities provided were all that were warranted by the amount of business transacted. However, the department was not treating Kerepeehi fairly, as its officers urged residents to have their telephones connected to the Ngatea or Turua exchange, where a 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. service was available, rather than to the Kerepehi office, where the service was only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The aim of the department was to centralise, yet it had established exchanges at Turua, Ngatea, Waitakaruru, and Pateonga, but not at Kerepeehi whicn was undoubtedly the geographical and reading centre of the Plains. Mr H. D. Jamieson moved that Mr Samuel be asked to urge upon the Government the necessity for erecting a permanent post office and telephone exchange in Kerepeehi. Seconded by Mr J. M. Thompson and carreid. KEREPEEHI DOMAIN. The next, matter on which Mr Samuel was enlightened concerned the domain. Mr Booth pointed out that the Government had set aside six acres of land as a domain reserve. However it had been essential that the A. and P. Association secure this ground and it had accordingly purchased it for £625. The Government had thereupon set as'de as a domain reserve an aiea of 8 acres of a low-lying nature, and consequently undrainable and quite unsuitable. Representations had been made to have this area exchanged for an area on the hillside, but the Government was not desirous of disposing ol any of t.his land, as in the course of time and with the arrival of the railway, its value would increase consideiabl). Mr H. D. Jamieson mentioned that he had accompanied the Minister of Lands over one of the areas sug gested t. be given in exchange for he present reserve, and he hud expressed the opinion that there should be no difficulties to be overcome. Mr Samuel, M.P., said that he took a great deal of interest in domains and recreation gruonds in general. The improvement and maintenance of such areas was an expensive matter, and as the revenue of domain boards

was very limited, he was of opinion the Government should do more. To that end he proposed bringing before the House the suggestion that a certain proportion o'f the money deriving from the taxation of racing chibs be utilised for t'he purpose. In towns and cities where there were racecourses a proportion of the tax could be remitted on condition that the centre of the racecourse be made suitable and available for all sports. Under his scheme all places would be assisted to get, or improve its domain or recreation ground. The suggestion was greeted with applause. Mr W. Booth moved that Mr A. M. Samuel approach the Government with the request that it exchange the present, 8 acre reserve for one of the many better sections available. Seconded by Mr W. Herkt, and carreid. Mr W. Booth pointed out .that two years ago the Hon. A. D. McLeod had promised in writing that the road leading to the school would be metalled. Mr Samuel said that if the Minister had made a promise he would guarantee that the Minister would carry it out. TOWNSHIP FOOTPATHS. The matter of the formation of the footpaths in the township was next brought up, and it was pointed out that the department had removed spoil from the roadsides to such extent that there remained big hollows which became 'full of water. It was decided to discuss the matter with the Minister of Lands on his visit to Kerepeehi PAEROA-POKENO RAILWAY. This seemed to be all the matters requiring attention that could be thought of, though the expedition of the Paeroa-Pokeno railway was mentioned. ; Mr A. M. Samuel expressed his own private opinion that the state of the finances of the country were such that it would be a long time before any more railway construction was authorised. Though he had advocated the Paeroa-Pokeno railway as a means of opening up the district and as a means o'f alleviating unemployment, he would personally prefer to see a concrete road.

A vote of thanks to Mr Samuel was moved by Mr P. Shilton, and carreid by acclamation.. Returning thanks the member promised to bring the resolutions before the Government, and to do his best to have them acted, upon. It was his object to work for the whole electorate, and he was pleased to meet at any .time, groups or individual settlers who desired his assistance.

Mr Samuel was then taken to the Kerepeehi block, and shown the. splendid land the settlement of which had been delayed for so long. '