Papakura.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 2, 20 March 1912, Page 3

Papakura.

The local Town Board, like other bodies throughout the district, has a lot of trouble over procuring metal. Lack of labour is the chief difficulty, one simply cannot get men to do the work. There is plenty of good metal in the immediate district and yet we can land metal from Morningside (north of Auckland) at 1s 6d per yard cheaper than it can be carted locally. The imported stone is not so good as what could be got from the local quarries, and we cannot get it except in limited quantities—but beggars cannot be choosers. The northerners send the quantities which best suit them and although we may order 100 yards we sometimes have to smile and say " thank you " for twenty yards. It's a weary world, my masters. We are to rejoice in the possession of a new poet-office shortly. The sum of £100 has been placed on the Estimates this year. The building will include a telephone exchange and bureau, for which the required number of subscribers has already been promised. Papakara progresses. Our civic fathers have for some time been thinking of raising a loan with which to instal water and gas, and to purchase a recreation ground. The latter is a native bush that the residents desire to preserve. Mr A. J. Woodley and L J. Mills have been elected vice-presidents of the Auckland centre of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycle Union. I understand that Mr Lee Ridge one of our local land agents, has sold his business to Mr David Wilson. Mr Ridge is joining a firm in Auckland. We wish Mr Wilson every success in his new venture. Town Board Meeting. The monthly meeting of the Town Board was held on 11th inst. Mr A. Willis (Chairman) presided and Commissioners Alexander, Cole, Richardson and Stewart were also present. Mr Middowson wrote applying for an allowance for money expended in asphalting the footpath in front of his property. The board decided to let the matter stand over until after a visit of inspection, to be made by the Board on Thursday afternoon, to see several places which require attention, and also those in course of construct-

ion. The principal works are on Gerrard-street, Great South road, the improvement of the road in front of Stokes and Earls' stores, and the completion of the two new ferroconcrete culverts on Dominion road. The Board decided to join the Municipal Association of New Zealand, which appeared to be doing good work in assisting local bodies and supplying legal opinions on questions of general interest. Owing to the improvements that are being effected and the difficulty in obtaining labour, the Board decided to purchase a two-wheeled scoop. It was decided to apply to the Minister of Internal Affairs from exemption from the new Counties Act, which comes into force in April, under the provision that Papakura is a Town District, with over 500 of a population. Mr Alexander, who has just return-

ed from Wellington, reported that he had seen Mr McKenzie (the Chief

Commissioner of Lands), with reference to the vesting of the Market Reserve and lot 148 in the Town

Board. This action had been taken as no

satisfaction could be obtained from the Auckland Land Office, and Mr McKenzie promised to have the matter settled at once in the interest of the Board.

Several complaints have been made to the Board about horses (which are turned out to graze on the roads) breaking into people's grounds and destroying the gardens. It was decided that the Clerk write to the owner requesting him not to allow his horses to wander to the annoyance of residents.