Wake Up, Mercer!

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 175, 19 May 1916, Page 1

Wake Up, Mercer!

i TO THE EDITOK.I Sir,—Under the above Leading I noticed some time ago a criticism of the Mercer Local Bodies. I agree with your correpondent that the township is one of the most unprogressive and dilapidated in the province and would say that there is no reason why this should bo. In a previous letter I pointed out what a valuable asset the township possessed in its domain, if it was properly utilised. Here we have a line property approaching 100 acres, more or less, which would easily fatten a beast to the acre in the summer months. What does it produce in revenue 'i Certainly not more than what it takes to administer, and to pay the caretaker or ranger. That the Mercer Domain Board does not follow the lead of all other Domain BoarJs in the province and call tenders for the grazing surprises me. Possibly most members are convenienced by having some cheap grazing at the public expense. Practically the only improvement elfectel for (lie last 20 years to my personal knowledge was tbe tilling in of the football pitch. As to filling part of the domain with sawdust, and which action your correspondent commends, by quoting Te Kopuru and Aiatapu, 1 wonder has it ever occurred to tlio residents oi " Sleepy Hollow " what would happen to the dwellings m Mercer should the sawdust get alight with the westerly wind behind it as was the case in the townships mentioned and which townships were alight for weeks despite all efforts to smother the lire, which started lrotn children pluyiug with matches. Sawdust burns just like a peat swamp, and if in tlio case of Mercer the sawdust and refuse from the mill caught lire practically the whole township would bo endangered as there is uot even au attempt to have a Fire Brigade. Trusting this will stir up tlio-e responsible). 1 am, etc , INTERESTED.