OTAKI’S PROGRESS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 12 March 1920, Page 3

OTAKI’S PROGRESS.

VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS i SUGGESTED. TOWN BOARD CONFERS WITH MR W. H. FIELD, M.P. A special meeting of the members of the Otaki Town Board was held yesterday for the purpose of discussing wifi) Mi' W. H. Field, M.P., various matters of interest to the town. Those present wore Commissioners J. P. Brandon (chairman), W. Noble, R. M. D’Ath, H. Nicolson, P. Rikiliana, and H. H. Olliver.

The Chairman, in his opening remarks, said the meeting had been called for the purpose of having a

“round-tho-table” talk with Mr Field, the member for the district, respecting the welfare of Otaki. There were, he said, several matters on which Mr Field would be able to give valuable advice. A Plan Needed. The first thing wanted, said the Clia-innaii. was a plan of the district, as at present there was no record of proper boundaries, despite the fact that efforts had been made for years to secure one. lie understood the difficulty was mainly through non-dedi-cated roads. Mr Field said lie would do his best in the matter, and anticipated no difficulty. It was deemed advisable to have one embracing adjacent lands outside the Town Board area, as there was a move on foot to form Otaki into a borough. A Borough. Asked ns to benefits that would be derived by ihe formation of a borough, Mr Field said it would mean the advantage of increased borrowing powers, as well as an improved stains. Personallyhe considwred the time had long arrived when Otaki should be a borough. Electric Light. Dealing with the electric, lighting question, Mr Field said it seemed probable to him that a fresh application would have to be made, as the cost of material, since the poll, had increased. As for the borrowing of necessarymoney from Government departments, he was moving in the matter to have an amendment in the Act enabling local bodies to borrow from the Government. It was decided to re-open the question in six weeks’ time, a motion having previously been framed holding up the matter for three months. Closing'of the Morning Mail. Asked if if was possible to have the closing time of the down morning mail extended till live minutes [past nine so as to allow parcels to be taken over the counter, Mr Field said he saw no reason why such a request should not be granted. He promised to do his best in the matter. An Early Morning Train. Questioned ns to the morning train service being improved, viz., a train to start from Otaki early each morning instead of Paekakariki and to return later than at present. Mr Field thought the request roasonsole. and hoped to see the desired change ell'ected. He hint been in almost constant communication with the Minister over railway matters, and after a lot of persuasion had been the means of getting trains to slop at Te lloro. The Minister, when questioned some time ago relative to an early train from Oiaki, said tlie passenger traffic did not warrant it. and that, the cost of running such a train would in* IPJ.iHH) per year. This amount, considered M; Field, had been hopelessly exaggerated. The railwayservice. as wa> well known, was far from satisfactory, and event weekenders to Paekakariki now had to pay increased fares, which was the means of preventing many people from travelling. He was keen to do his best for the district, and if assisted by laeal bodies, it would mean a deal. He had hopes that the newly-formed Progress League in Wellington would do much good, and expressed a hope that it would in! supported by various local bodies. The main thing was to show’ a. united front and determination.

A Crane. Questioned on the matter of a crane for Otaki railway. -Mr Field said at present there was not one available, but ho was given to understand V.y the Minister of Railways tb>r the first one made-—-stone were being manufactured —would be sent to Otaki. Road and Railway Improvement. Mr Field touched briefly on the matter of improvement to the Paekakariki Hill road and the suggested deviation of the railway. The latter, ho said, he had advocted for years, and he hoped it would soon become an accomplished fact. Mangahao Scheme. The Mangahao hydro-electric scheme was dealt with, and Mr Field said he believed that the work would be completed in three years’ time. The Visit of the Prince. 1 Mr Field saict ho was pleased to hnyy the Prince was to stop at Otaki. and stated, if possible, he would take part in the reception. Tararua Track. Touching on the T'ararua Track, from Otaki to Orcytewn. Mr Field said the work oi improving- the track was under consideration, and that the Government engineer would visit various parts next week to decide on the local ity of the huts and track. It was al-o proposed to thoroughly define :ke route so as to prevent mishap. The sum of i £.IOO was to l*e spent. n::d !i«- f ir«.-uiet»-a i the time was r.vt rat -ii.-tant when t ’here would be r. a >r~-- T.rru-k from I Otaki •" Git-toy ■- • '-= t>, ranges. I War Trophic-. ! x -.--d as to the possibility ef Otaki 1 tecaring its she re war tsoT-hies. Mr t Field said the matte: was really ia the | hands w£ the military authorities at

Palmerston North, but he would do his best to secure a share. It was considered that the trophies should be placed on the section now under idler , as a peace memorial. “Push Ahead.” Mr Field, in conclusion, said ii had given him pleasure to meet (lie members of the Board, and expressed u hop.' that Otaki would forge ahead, it had certainly “dragged,” and a push was : needed. Bishop Hadfield had been in Otaki as far back as 3839. As tlicie was now a prospect of Otaki progressing he hoped every opportunity would be taken to bring it more into the lime'light. The township possessed an ex- ' cellent climate, the soil was ol the ! best, and there Score many othei at true- , lions. j The Chairman warmly thanked Mr j Field for attending, for valuable into:mation given, and his promises ol , assistance.