PAEROA, 1928.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5370, 4 January 1929, Page 2

PAEROA, 1928.

A YEAR IN RETROSPECT. NOTEWORTHY HAPPENINGS- ‘ The year 1928 will certainly stand out as one of the brightest periods in the history of Paeroa—-if not for the; buildings erected, for the construction of its main thoroughfares.

The bitumiti&ing of the main reads within the borough made a great inn pnovejnent to the appearance of the town. This was a much-needed) work, and the construction of the streets in permanent material was a wise -under’ taking. A top-dressing of chips is now being given to the roads, after whic.li it is thought that thqy will not require much attention for the next couple of years.

Onq of the chief items of street improvements effected during thej year, was the replacement of the wooden bridge over the drain .in Puke Road by a concrete structure, and another work of importance carried out was the qrection of the concrete bridge in Rye Lane and the formation of the street.

The new traffic, bridge over thq Ohinemuri River near the Criterion Hotel was officially opened by the Minister, of Public Work’s; (the Hon. K. S. Williams) on April 5 last. After several attempts a branch of th e Plunket Society was formed i>i May, and this society has continued to do good work ever

In May a deputation consisting of Messrs W. E. Hale, J. W. Danby, P. E. Brenan, and W- C. Kennedy waited on the Minister, of Health (the Hon. J. A. Young) at Hamilton, when the Minister < affirmed the decision that the Thames Hospital Board! would have to build the Paeroa hospital in brick forthwith. A tender for this, work has been accepted, and the con-t tractor, lias commenced preparations in spite of the continued protests of ,tihe Thames Hospital Board.

The opening of the Tauranga railway was perhaps the most striking of all dominion-wide events (During the year. Although a conducted by the Public Works Department' was run for a short period, the first through express' from Auckland to Taneatua was run on June 18.

The year has. not been without its floods, and in July a go.od deal of damage was caused by the; breaking of the 's, top-bank near Cadman Road. This necessitated the stop-bank near Rotokohu flood-gate being dynamited! by ,thq Public Works Department to release the floodwater more rapidly. The construction of the swimming baths was commenced in January and the baths were officially opened o,n November 3. Kqen interest has been evinced in this undfertaking, and the patronage given the baths is well up to the expectations of the Borough Council. The baths, are undoubtedly a great ;to the town, and with a bountiful supply of good water will be popular during summer time. SPORT. The interest in all outdoor sport was well maintained during the year, and with successful results. The; cycling sports early in February atthe "Domain wefe voted to. be an un-j qualified success, as were the annual racing fixture and .the extra day which was put:on as a spring meeting. Football was well patronised during, the season, and while club matches c.oud be classed as of a fair, standard, representative football was decidedly weak. Some hard games were played by the Schools Union telains, and the retention of the Northern {toiler Mils Shield by the Thames Valley boys was the mos,t exciting feature of the season. The Golf Club had a record season, and through the lessons obtained from the coach much improvement was shown by many of the players.

By the visits of teams from. Auckland in January and April interest in cricket was revived. Although many of the leading club players have left the town, it is pleasing to see that interest is still maintained, andi some promising players have joined the club. ■

The Ladies’ Hockey Club was again able to put two teams on the fiejld, and some keen matches with sister clubs were played. Interest in tennis and bowling has increased, especially in tennis, the Paeroa Lawn Tennis Club being now muuch stronger than formerly. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. The friendly societies in the district continue to flourish. During the year a Past Grand Lodge of Manchester Unity .Oddfellows was formed. MINING. Although nothing sensational has happened during the yean int he direction of mining, prospecting still continues, and some promising reefs have been found. The prospecting and treatment of river sands in the Ohinemuri River at Mackaytown and Karangahake is receiving attention and will be watched! with keen interest.