PROGRESS ON PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5221, 30 December 1927, Page 3

PROGRESS ON PLAINS.

EVENTS GF THE PAST YEAR

RESUME OF ACTIVITIES.

(Written expressly for the "Gazette by pur Hauraki Plains Representative).

iOn looking back over the events, of tne Hauraki Plains in the year that has just closed, one is not impressed, as in previous years, with an array of progressive moves, but rather with a slow evolution of progress and a settling down from an aggressive state of betterment to a state of consolidation of position. The years have passed when almost every issue of this paper recorded something attempted or something done for the general welfare of the district, and while progress has by no means ceased its sphere has changed from public to individual. The county has now almost passed beyond that stage in which much capital expenditure on public works was essential, and is now* for the most part, a well found district in which the people have turned their attentions to their own affairs. Ratepayers’ Associations, Farmers’ Unions, and such bodies which thrive on discontent and a desire for general betterment, have become dormant, and church workers now appear to be the only groups working for other than private objects.

The rainfall for the year has been normal, .and well distributed, so farmers have experienced a satisfactory season. The district is not yet in a prosperous state, but the adjustment of values, is steadily going on. No more land has been brought i,nto production, but greater attention has been given to getting increased returns from farms. Herdtesting, culling, and improved marketing of by-products have received attention, and there has been so much talk of housing cattle during the winter months, that something may be done.

The initial outlay and the working expenses will both be heavy, but the advantages to farms and to stock are so obvious that any practical experiment under normal conditions w 11 be closely watched. In drainage matters there has been great activity during the year, but little work has been done in drains. In Netherton, as in Pipiroa,, there has be«n activity in- the direction of forming drainage boards, but so far settlers have not assumed control. The Hauraki and the Horahia Boards were united, but beyond actual completing the Horahia Loan work, little actual work'was able to be done until last month.

The operations of the Lands Drainage Department have been for the most part in- the upper reaches of the rivers, but for* the first time dredging in the Piako River has been undertaken below Ngatea. This and the river improvement works just above Ngatea (have lowered the water in the upper reaches to a marked extent.

The stop-banking of the Waihou River by the Public Works Department has now advanced to the Wharepoa ferry, the rapidity of progress during the past few months having astounded settlers. Under the same work many drains have been excavated about Netherton.

The improvement to the internal drainage of farms was, marked last winter, and while the 1 relative merits of the various forms of field drains are still very debatable, the shallow ditch is gaining in favour. Pumping by electricity did not advance much probably on account of the absence pf floods.

An outstanding public work of benefit to farmers was th© completion this month of the water supply sjcheme for the Pipiroa-Ngatea districts. The farmers already claim that the yield of their herds has.increased, but this appears to be a moot point, though it is obvious that ample supplies pf good water will maintain the yield, and improve the health of stock. The Kopuarahj district was offered water from the same source, but the settlers did not consider their need was sufficient to warrant the cost.

An important foading work undertaken during the year was the metalling of the Pekapeka and Wairau Roads on the route pf the main highway, thus providing a short allweather link between the Hauraki Plains and Paeroa. This big improvement to the road has probably been the cause enabling the reduction. to be made in the bus fares on the Ngatea-Paeroa run. The fare,? ' are now reasonable, and as a good vehicle has been provided by the new mail contractor, there will undoubtedly be a great increase in the number ofi Plains people who will visit Paeroa to do thir shopping. The only other road work during the year has been an extensive maintenance programme. On account of the increase in through motor traffic due to the completion during the of the metalling of the main highway just beyond the county boundary, the maintaining of the Plains roads up to the standard which earns commendation from all travellers is proving increasingly difficult. Red metal is still being used, but the, opinion is growing steadily that something more permanent will have tp be utilised. The experiment of bitumen-sealing red roads, -undertaken at several points in the county, is being watched with -interest, as it may prove a solution to the reading problem. The secondary roads in various parts -of the county will receive attention- next season, the procedure stipulated by the, Local Bodies Loans Board having delayed the polls so much that no new works can be started this season. The Patetonga riding roads loan is in the same position.

The Hauraki bridge is rapidly nearing completion, and the indications are that the forecast of March ne>xt as the date oft completion will be fulfilled. The Pipiroa ferry, now improved, continues to meet the requirements, of travellers. The County Council is now negotiating for the purchase of the Piako River wharves, the Lands Drainage

Department having notified accept' ance of the offer of one shilling for the lot. The, administration of the wharves will prove a difficult proposition for the council in the coming year.

There was very little building activity in the county compared wth previous years, and only one new shop wasppe ned At Netherton a church was erected, and at Kerepeehi the erection of a building flor a bank was commenced.

Matters in connection with' the operations of the Electric Power Board in the county have been quiet during the year. The reticulation is being extended in the Kaihere-Pate-tonga district, and the connection at Kerepeehi with the Public Works Department’s feeder lines hasi practically eliminated stoppages. The erection of the sub-station at Kerepeehi appears to be proceeding very slowly.

With the exception of numerous extensions to telephones, the facilities provided by the Posit and Telegraph Department in the previous year have been sufficient and no building has been necessary. The only additions made to schools has been at Ngatea, where a splendid class-room was erected for the district high school. Improved sanitary facilities are now being provided at Turua, and additional classrooms are urgently required at Kerepeehi. In sport, the season has seen the rapid rise of ladies’ hockey ;and the formation of an association which organised a successful tournament and sent a team to Auckland. There was little change in the football position, and now cricket and tennis are (having seasons similar to previous years. A very successful sports meeting was held at Kerepeehi on Easter Monday, and at Waitakaruru on Boxing Day the usual picnic and sports were held.