SPIRITED INTERLUDE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5474, 13 September 1929, Page 2

SPIRITED INTERLUDE.

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING.

A RIFT IN THE LUTE.

The Borough Council was not the usual happy gathering at its meeting last night, when a letter from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, announcing its proposed visit to Paeroa in a commerce train in November, came into discussion.

The Mayor said the chamber had intimated that in the schedule a trip of inspection along the projected route of the Paeroa-Pokeno railway was included, and this, in his opinion, was an excellent idea, and would offer a splendid opportunity to bring the proposed connection before the public again. He thought it advisable to ask the Hauraki Plains and Ohinemuri County Council to co-operate with the Borough Council in the arrangements.

The trouble started when the Mayor stated that several motor-cars would be required to bring the party across the Plains, and that while Pokeno would supply a number, it probably would remain incumbent on Paeroa to supply some. The visitors would be entertained to luncheon at Paeroa.

Cr. Edwards was of the opinion that the proposed visit “would not be worth twopence” to Paeroa. All information about the railway that the council could give had already been given. It would certainly be very nice to have the visitors here, but it was not up to private individuals to contribute towards their holiday. Cr. Hare maintained that it was with Auckland that Paeroa did its business. He thought the council should help, although it might be in the nature of a “joy-ride.” The Mayor interposed to say it was not in the nature of a joy trip, but a business one. .

Continuing, Cr. Hare said. it was ju§t another hint that the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce should be resurrected..

The Mayor then suggested a committee consisting of Crs. Bray, Hare, and Flatt being appointed to go into the arrangements for the visit. Cr. Flatt thought that while the visit was an excellent idea in view of the fact that Paeroa w aslikely to become a semi-wholesale centre, private individuals should not be called upon to pay. They had been called upon so many times. “Welcome them, certainly,” he said, but he protested against paying individually.

Cr. Silcock considered that the whole affaft - was a move on the part of the Railway Department. It was looking for business, and should contribute. He failed to see why members of the council should bring the party across to give them information for the benefit of the Railway Department. The councihcould give no information beyond what had already been given. His own car had been out a good many jtimes already, and would not go out again. It was merely a “joy ride” to many of the proposed visiting party.

Cr. Bray said he did not think the Paeroa Borough Council should do the entertaining ; it was a railway affair. It was up to an unfortunately non-existent chamber of commerce to entertain, and not private individuals, who should not be made out of pocket.

The Mayor remarked that unfortunately there was no chamber of commerce in Paeroa, and therefore the council had to step into the breach. Various centres not on the itinerary had made strenuous efforts to secure a visit from the party. It meant a great deal of publicity. Cr. Silcock thought that the party was looking for Paeroa’s business. Cr. Bray, referring to the mention of publicity, remarked that the best publicity the town could receive would be if the people were in the habit of paying their accounts regularly. Then Auckland merchants would be eager to do business. In the end the committee proposed by the Mayor was agreed to.