33 YEARS AGO.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5484, 7 October 1929, Page 4

33 YEARS AGO.

(From the “Ohinemuri Gazette” of October 10, 1896. LOCALS. During a discussion in the House on the Midland Railway on Tuesday last Mr Crowther, M.H.R., was giving a pitiful discription of the state of the road from Paeroa to Waihi. He stated that at present there were between 200 and 300 horses employed on the road, working day and night up to their knees in mud, and they had even to work on Sundays. This latter remark was received by the members of the House with groans of horror.

A reward of £5 is offered for the racehourse Knapsack, which has strayed from Mr W. G. Nicholls’ paddock.

The Salvation Army has decided on establishing itself permanently in Paeroa, and Captain Macaulay, who has had a wide experience in opening up new country and forming new stations, has been temporarily appointed to the command of the local branch of the Army. His intention, we understand, is to hold open-air meetings during the week, as well as cottage meetings, if these can be arranged, and on Sundays, in the afternoon and evenings, he will hold service in the Public Hall, Wharf Street.

We take the following from the Waikato Argus of last Tuesday, referring to the Rev. W. H. Wilson, who has been appointed to succeed the Rev. F. G. Evans at Paeroa : “The report of the removal of our esteemed vicar, the Rev. W. H. Wilson, to Paeroa, is received with general regret, and his loss will be greatly felt, as during his ministrations amongst us he has secured the respect of all classes, and the Church membership has greatly increased. As a preacher, all those who have been fortunate to hear him are of the opinion that he is not to be excelled in the Colony. We had also hoped through his wellknown energy that in time we should have a new church built to replace the old edifice now condemned as unfit for holding Divine service. Our loss is Paeroa’s gain. The reverend vicar will have the good wishes of all his parishioners here, and it will be long before he and Mrs Wilson are forgotten.”

During the week we noticed Mr W. McWatters’ breadcart going its rounds. It is the first one of its style in the. district.

The Paeroa Fire Brigade celebrated their first anniversary last evening,in their own shed by a smoke concert, for which special invitations were issued, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. During the year they have been in existence they have been very energetic in preparing themselves to meet any calls that might be made on the brigade, and have had to do this in the face of many obstacles. On the only occasion on which they had an opportunity of being of material assistance, when the new hotel was burned down, the brigade, under the able leadership of their captain, Mr O’Hara, showed that they were made of the right stuff, and if Paeroa only had a water supply we should feel safe against any serious calamity. WAIHI NOTES. Saturday last there were several meetings afloat—the Rifle Club, Football Club, and Cricket Club. At the Cricket Club meeting a good deal of important business was concluded. By-the-bye, four of the enormous quantity of vice-presidents have sent in subscriptions, and the secretary says he expects six or eight more to do the same. Hurrah ! Waihi West Strikes Martha. At last the great event is accomplished. They’ve done it, as the saying is, in the west. I prognosticated last week, you will remember, that there was every likelihood of the reef coming to hand shortly, and lo and behold, it really has come to hand. From all accounts it is the Martha lode, and, if so, the Welcome is still to be intersected ahead. The Waihi Grand Junction Co. is to be congratulated upon its success, and it is richly deserved, for it is one of the pluckiest companies on the goldfields. Thousands of pounds have been spent by them in prospecting work, and there are no signs of them giving in. The mine manager, Mr J. H. Evans, deserves the highest credit for his skilful management. Difficulty after difficulty has faced him, but one after the other they have been overcome by him, and now he has the gratification of seeing his undaunted efforts rewarded. Whilst heartily congratulating the company and its manager we must not lose sight of the fact that Waihi is to be congratulated, too. Now that it is proved beyond all doubt that the Martha reef lives outside the hill, outlying properties in the line of reef adjoining it must increase in value. . . . Now we ought to get our borough, bank, and post office. PARLIAMENT. The Public Works Estimates were considered by the Committee of Supply on Tuesday last, the 6th inst. The vote, Railways, £25,000, was a subject of considerable discussion. The votes for railways in the Auckland province passed practically without opposition. The votes on the Public Works Estimates for roads north of Auckland were the subject of considerable debate, but they all passed unaltered.

Sir Robert Stout’s motion to .reduce the vote of £41,715 for roads and other works on the goldfields and mineral lands by £6715 was lost by 34 to 18, and the vote passed.

Objection was taken to the vote of £98,950 for. the purpose of developing the goldfields of the colony, on the ground that the amount was excessive. Sir Robert Stout moved to reduce the vote by £48,950. This was lost by 30 to 22 and the vote was passed. The remaining items on the Estimates passed without alteration.