VISIT OF MINISTER FOR LANDS.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 86, 13 June 1918, Page 2

VISIT OF MINISTER FOR LANDS.

To Kereone, Wgarua Walton and Matamata Districts. Ngarua. At the junction of the Manawaru and Waitoa - Matamata roads Messrs J. B. Thomas (chairman Piako County council), J. Scott (president, Ngarua branch Farmers’ union), G. S. Davis, R. Scott and S. Davis were a deputation waiting for the Minister. The first matter was W AIRONGAM AI. Mr Thomas mentioned that the County council were considering laying down a section of concrete road, and in connection with this were desirous of securing the use of the Wairongamai tram rails. This would save the council some £2OOO in cartage. It would not harm anybody. He explained that the Government and County council had conjointly contributed to the cost of the tramway, and that it had been leased by the council. The Minister gave his opinion that the loan could be effected, provided the council agreed to put back the track when it was required. Mr Thomas said the council required some definite terra, say five years. ■ SNAGGING THE RIVER. Mr J. Scott asked that the Government continue the snagging of the river. The Minister replied that he would consult the Hon. W. H. Herries on the matter. He understood Mr Herries was obtaining a report from the drainage engineer. NGARUA SCHOOL. Mr R. Scott, chairman of the school committee, asked if the department could not pay a bigger rental for the use of the hall as a school. Since the hall had been first erected it had been doubled in size and the attendance of children had gone up from 22 to 36. The Minister: Have you made any representations to the board ? Mr Scott: Yes, and they won’t give us any more. The Minister pointed out that the chief inspector’s word was final and the department could not go behind him. He considered they had a strong case as though the hall had been enlarged and the number of children attending the school had increased the rent remained the same. He advised them to persist in their request.