"Wake Up, Papakura!"

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 14, 19 February 1915, Page 2

"Wake Up, Papakura!"

! TO TEE EDITOR.] Sir,—Will you kindly allow me a little space in your paper to reply to a letter in your issue of the 9th signed ' Papakura." If " Papakura " would take the trouble to make himself conversant with local affairs lie would not make incorrect statements.

Re Eailway Reserve. When Sir Joseph Ward was in Papakura four or five years ago the members of tl e local body waited on liim with a request that a part of the Railway Keserve be vested in the district as a Recreation Ground. When that rebupst was refused the Minister of Railways and also the District Engineer were approached, and the suitability of the above reserve for railway workshops pointed out to them. Since then deputations have waited on the different Ministers with the same object in view, and the last reply was, "The D'partment have no intention of erecting workshops in Papakura." The present intention of the railway authorities is to place the engine sheds on the reclamation in Mechanic's Bay and use the ground prepared for them at Newmarket to enlarge the present workshops. " Papakura's " (I really do not think he is entitled to use the nom-de-plume) statement re Hunua Falls is also incorrect. Some months ago, when an electric lightiug scheme was t ilked of, and meetings held to further it, the permission of the Government was obtained to use the Falls for generating purposes, providing the necessary deposit as a guarantee was forthcoming. Re picture theatre and shops. I am under the impression that the " local agent" did not try very hard to hnd a site. I could put him 011 to quite a number. If "Papakura" and one or two others who do a great deal of " growling " would take an activo part themselves in helpiug tho district along, instead uf talking so much, it would be much more to their credit, and more conducive to the welfare of the township. Just a word more. I think the present members ol the Board would all welcome the earthquake "Papakura" speaks of, if it would help to wake up "some" of the ratepayers to 11 sense of their responsibilities.—l am, etc., A. WILLIS, Chairman Papakura Town Board, February loth, 1915.