"WAKE UP, MERCER."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 166, 18 April 1916, Page 4

"WAKE UP, MERCER."

(Contributed.)

As a casual visitor to Mercer I am very much struck with the apathy shown by the local residents in not taking steps to put their township into at least decent order. If any attempts to purchase sections are made the owners have an exorbitant idea of the values. One would not mind their demands if they could substantiate the same or indicate in some leisonable way that they ittend to improve their township to justify one in thinking that these values would be fair in the near future. As one gets the first glimpse, about a mile and a-half from the station, one is struck by the poverty of it all. The main road is the worst I have seen when approaching any township in New Zealand. There is no attempt at formation although certainly there is metal on it. The Domain is in the same condition that existed 30 years ago with one exception and for that I give the Town Board creuit, viz , in allowing the Sawmill Company to deposit sawdust on that portion which in the winter time is quite covered with water. If the Town Board was to follow this up and induce the Sawmill Company, before its operations in Mercer are closed, to till in a set area so that at any time of the year it could be utilised for tennis, cricket and other recreations, their action would be commendable. Aratapu and Te Kopuru have been built on sawdust indicating clearly that the sawdust eventually becomes soil. The Town Board could remove the huge heap of sawdust from the mill to the Domain at a very small cost and eventually plant ornamental trees. Mercer is unfortunately in a peculiar position so far as the laying out of the township is concerned as it has the river on one hand, and hills and swamp on the other, all bxoken up by the railway line. This renders it impossible to make it a town of wide streets but the residents could improve matters at a very little cost. For instance, the Main street could be lowered to the railway level, channelled with totara timber jaud the footpaths tarred and sanded. Then again I am very much surprised that the business people are satisfied to occupy premises which are, for the main part, out of date. The fact that some 40,000 tons of cargo are handled on the Waikato River between Huntly and the Waikato Heads, the main portion of which passes through Mercer, should be a strong argument towards effecting improvements. The available water supply also only consists of tanks although the Railway reservoir is large enough to meet local requirements but it is caid that the Railway Department have not even been asked if they'would be prepared to act as suppliers for the town. Then again no attempt is made to boom the attractions of the Waikato Eiver, which rival even those of the Wanganui River. From the wharf to a distance of about a quarter of a mile north a promenade could be made at a moderate cost. The most importand undertaking from which Mercer would benefit is that of a bridge across the river, which could be constructed at a cost of not more than £BOOO. This would tap a vast area of country of which Mercer would bo the natural centre.