ONGARUE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 450, 23 March 1912, Page 5

ONGARUE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE.

AN ENERGETIC BODY

Special Correspondent

The Ongarue Vigilance Committee, which was organised about eighteen months ago, has been doing some line work in connection with the town and district despite the fact that the promised terminus of the Stratford railway was deviated to To Koura. The new post office, the- enlargement of the railway yards, the appointment of a stationmaster, the securing of a recreation ground of over 100 acres country reserve, a rifle range and many other little incidentals have taken place as a result of their efforts. The committee have been very active in the urging of needs for their re quirements and for the most part their representations have borne fruit. Mr Knight is the chairman of the organisation, and is ably assisted by the capable secretary, Mr A. McK. Moir. At a recent committee meeting held the question of bridging the Ongarue river opposite the railway station was discussed, and it wa=» decided to make representations to that effect to the Public Works Department. Another important item discussed was the reservation of a portion of land which is at present being cut up by the Auckland Land Board for workmen's dwellings. The matter was enthusiastically gone into, and the secretary was instructed to proceed with making the requsst. The matter of erecting an overhead crossing at the third crossing south of Ongarue railway station was mentioned by a number of members, who pointed out that, as at present, the crossing was very dangerous. The matter, it was pointed out, had been taken in hand by atiumber of Ohura settlers. It was decided to write to the district road engineer, Mr Williams, and remind him of the necessity of the streets of Ongarue being repaired by the road grader as soon as possible. It was resolved to write to the Crown Lands Department to ask them to conserve an area of bush adjacent to the town for a water supply in the future. The following new members were elected: Messrs A. Julian, Gemmell, E. MacGregor, H. Burnand, H. Gilford, P. Jackson and H. Pearce.

SPORTS CLUB. At a meeting of residents in Ongarue on Thursday night it was decided to hold a sports meeting on Empire Day. Mr G. Otto presided. The following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P. ; president, Mr H, Burnand; vice-presi-dents, Messrs A. E. Myers, M.P., R. Cashel, Jas. Bennett, T. Moore, J. Patterson, J. Jackson, H. Luks G. Phillips. W. K, Williams, S. Knight, M. McNamara, K. Simpson, N. C. Matthew, J. Steel (King Country Chronicle), and other?. Mr Duncan McCrae was appointed secretary and Mr James McCrae assistant secretary; treasurer, Mr H. Pearce ; committee. Mesrsa C. Otto (chairman), A. Mclv. Moir, A. Tregoweth, W. Doyd, J. Rodgers, Rou Rata, D. Jones, J. Burnand, C. Flint and 11. Ford. The programme will include chopping and running events and the prize-money will run from .£75 to £-100. The club have decided to affiliate with the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union. It is anticipated that the meeting will be a great success. The ground is an ideal spot, and with a little work there will be a gocd track.