MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 147, 18 February 1916, Page 1

MERCER.

The Hon Mr McNab, Minister of Marin?, has definitely notilied Mr hallfctt, secretary of the Waikato Kiver Board, that he wjll leave Wellington by the express train on the 2nd Maieh to inspect the Waikato river and its tributaries between Mercer and Huntly, in connection with the petition asking Government assistance towards irnpioving the same. It ia intended to meet Mr McNab at Huntly on the 3rd March, and from there to proceed by launch to Me'cer, and after a short stay at Mercer to examine the River Hoard's operations at the Waikato Heads, returning to Mercer the same evenicg where the Minister will be the guest of members of the Board and representatives of local bodies at a dinner. It is intended to make a special inspection of the Maramarua Cteek which has been in a very bad condition for a considerable peiiod through the blockage of willows therein. Only last week a propeller was lust from a launch while passing up the creek through coming into contaeS with villows Messrs Gordon Bros, of Churchill, have purchased from Mr W Gerrand the plant, comprising several launches and and barges, which have been used in the shipping trade on the Wbangape creek, and will conduct the business in their name. The trade on the creek has made wonderful strides within recent years, as a result of the closer settlement in the district. Another l3ige property, owned by Mr J J Craig, of Auckland, at Whangape is being improved whb the intention oi sub-dividing it at a later date The weekly output of the Waikato Co-operative Company's butter factory, although diminishing owing to the dry weather, is 150 boxes in excess of the weekly output for the same period twelve months ago Ihe settlors of Glan Murray have never before been provided with the facilities Ibr travelling letween that district and Mercer as they are to-day. The All British Shipping Company's last passenger launch Beta, which does the return trip of 50 mil.s in five hours, carried seventeen passergers from Glen Murray to Mercer oa Wednesday last. Two trips weekly are made at present, but if sufficient encouragement is forthcoming the company wiil run a daily service The popularity of the Wiikatu Heads aa a pleasure resort i 3 gaining ground fast. The week-end trips to the beach are being well patronised. Mr Hallett, manager of the All-British Shipping Company, haß placed a five-roomed house at the disposal of the passengers, and good sport is ob'amcd with fighing nets, which are also provided. During the next week-end a party of railway officials from Fraokton Junction railway station leave for a fortnight's holiday at the beach Negotiations in connection with the formation of a co-operative shippirg company to trade on the river are progressing satisfactorily. Messrs Wynyard and Skeltoo, barristers and solicitors, of Auckland, have the matter in hard and are floating a company The annual raeetirg of ti c Mercer Domain Board was held last evening, Mr 11 Valenine presiding. The balance sheet, showing a credit of £3O 10s 4d, was submitted by the secretary, Mr P N King, and adopted The sale ot Mr J Vincent s flaxmill at Churchill to Messrs Maddren Bros, rope and twine manufacturers, of Chnstchurch, tor £ISOO, took place a few daya ago. The new owners take posse.sion on the 7th March. 1 hey have secured a large quantity of green llax adjacent to the river The regular inor.thly meeting of the Mercer Town Board was held on Tuesday evening last. Mr H Valenine presided,' and thae vnc also present: Messrs M Gallery, C Wutkinson and tu> cl.rlt, Mr 1' N King, it was resolved to install an acetylene gas lighting plant at the King Edward Memo:ial Ilall of a size to allow for Ihe lighting of two lamps ia the tosnship.—Alter discussing the question of dog tax collection for the current year, it was decided Ij rei.ew the erraugcinents made with the Franklin Council's dog tax ccll.ctor to collect the tax in Meicfr this year.—The Board having recovered 61! twenty-four-inch drain pip.a from the :-*amji in the vicinity ot llie tawmill, it was agreed to olur them lor sale, —The clerk was instructed to obtain pi ice for the construction of an operator's box pi fie King L'uwaid Memorial Ilall.- Tit keep the Board's office in a good state ol preservation, it was agreed it shotilJ be pamte.l and renovat' J.--Members expressed their appreciation 11 the neat workmanship displayed in the printing ol the by-laws by the "I'uhtkohe limes" management Air Koy (Jlajj, who Ins beta tin well for some tune past, left l.r Te Atolia in cjinpany with Mrs Gliss on Wednesday last lor a loitnight s rest