LOCAL TOPICS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 293, 20 June 1929, Page 4

LOCAL TOPICS.

(By

“Verax.”

The Domain. » The Putaruru Domain Board does not seem to place much value on the local domain, that is judging by the annual report submitted to the Domain Board at its meeting on Monday last. Here we have a domain (68 acres in extent) within a few minutes’ walk of the town, and it is unsuitable in its present state for any use that such a reserve is usually put to, whilst the only work done is succinctly summarised in the report as being nil, with the exception of the cleaning up of scrub adjacent to the railway crossing and the gradual filling in of a gully by the depositing of rubbish. Surely the domain is worthy of being regarded in a better light than a mere dumping ground for rubbish. The setting up of a sub-committee to go into the matter of the disposal of some of the trees seems to be a wise move, for we understand that there are several hundreds of pounds worth of trees that could be disposed of and still leave the requisite number for shelter. It has been stated that it will take years to make the domain suitable for picnics, etc., hut it will take an even greater number of years if a start is not made. The hoard is not altogether destitute of funds (and this is not to be wondered at, seeing that the munificient sum of £1 Os 7d was spent on maintenance last year) and whilst admitting that £93 (the credit balance)

would not go far yet a start could he made in the direction of bringing the reserve into a state consistent with use. Many towns similar to Putaruru, and indeed larger than ours, would give much to possess the asset we do, and it is to be hoped that the setting up of this committee is the first step by the Domain Board towards a realisation of the possibilities of the Domain. Free Use of Supper Room. I The Putaruru branch of the Workers’ Educational Association seems to have unwittingly been the cause of a flutter in the municipal dovecote, judging by the discussion on the free use of the supper room of the Town Hall. One member said the request of the W.D.F.U. for the free use of the supper room was the outcome of the grant of the room to the W.E.A. In the same report it is stated that the secretary of the W.E.A. pointed

out to the Town Board that they (the W.E.A.) had not aslced for the free use of the room, but for a donation and if the Town Board choose this way of giving a donation surely it is illogical on the part of those Town Board members who are objecting to blame the W.E.A. for something that is not of the latter’s asking. The request for a donation was in keeping with requests made to other local bodies, pnd honoured by cash donations, so that if the Putaruru Town Board likes to save its unauthorised expenditure by giving a donation in this way it is again illogical to object. Coming to the free use of the room, surely local institutions whose operations are in the public interest should be allowed concessions, especially where the so-

cieties are doing national work. Tire Plunket Society is doing a work that none an deny is pre-eminent to-day. viz., that of lowering the death rate of infant life by the scientific methods made famous by Sir Truby King. The W.E.A. movement is recognised not only in New Zealand but in England, where the movement is known as the University Extension Classes. There is need in New Zealand for an educated democracy. The Power Board. The Town Board solicitors are entitled to the thanks of the Putaruru ratepayers for their interest in the question of the town’s representation on the Thames Valley Electric Power Roard. There, is no question but that H'e town should have, if possible, direct representation, for conjoint representation is by no means satisfactory, especially if the other body is stronger, for there is always the tendency in this respect not to take the interest in the weaker body that is given to the stronger. No doubt Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P.. will willingly give his valued services in enr'wing this matter to a successful issue. Self-Help. It has been said that Db-ine Providence helps those who heln themselves, and be this as it may, yet it is alwavs a pleasure to commend those who do adopt this virtue. It was reported at the Putaruru District Hi-h School Committee meeting on Wednesday that the punils of the typewriting-class had raised £6 iRs towards t.he c"st of a machine. This is highly creditable and shows a commendable desire on the port, of the pupils to get on. Good luck to them, and may this snirit remain with them as they go through life.