DISTRICT NEWS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 196, 1 August 1916, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS

MERCER. WAIKATO RIVER BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. The regular monthly meeting of the Waikato River Board, held on Saturday last at Mercer, was attended by Messrs A. G. C. Glass (chairman), M. Gallery and J. T. Oronin, together with the e'erk, Mr Ed. Hallett. FREIGHTAGE OF DREDGE. The Hon. W. H. Heiries, Minister of Railways, wrote acknowledging the Board's request for the freightage on the dredge, wheu it was sent by rail from Paeroa to Mercer, to be remitted and btated that he was considering the matter.—A further resolution was adopted rtques ing the Miuister of Railways to grant the amount to the Board as a subsidy. FINANCIAL. A voucher in favour of the Board to tho extent of £l3l 5s Id, for clearing willows in the Maungatawhiri creek, was forwarded by the Department of Lands for the chairman's signature, which was duly attached, and the clerk was instructed to return the document to the Department for payment to be made. With a view of relieving the Board of a liability of £4OO on the dredge it was decided to write and ask the manager of the National B&nk or New Zealand, Auckland, to take over the liability, in consideration of which the Board would hand over, until sold, debentures to the va'ue of £6OO. WILL THE GOVERNMENT

HELP? Daring a di>cussion as to the possibility of the Board being compelled to suspend operations by reason of the absence of Government assistance and consequent lack of funds, the chairman pointed out that it would be necessary to complete the work at the long groyne at the Devil's Elbow in order to secure the antomatic results which the consulting engineer had advised the Board would take plac6 in the river when the groyne was finished. The cost of the same would be about £IOO. Already, he added, one effect of the Board s operations was a lowering of one foot in the river. The chairman went on to say that in the eveiit of the Board's functions coming to a close it would be necessary to remove all the gear, including the huts, up 1 to Mercer, where one would be erected on a site near the wharf for use as an office for the Board, as new office accommodation would have to be found since thb Waikato | Shipping Company had made arrangements to take over Mr Hallett's premises. The Board would keep the steamer in their possession and the punts would be hired out to pay tho secretary's wages and part wages of the foreman. Speaking of the condition of the river in the vicinity of Meri Meri, Mr Glass said that there was only a doptli of two feet, which would continue to lower until there would only be one foot if no assistance was forthcoming. A bimonthly meeting would suifice in the event of the Board having to continue on their owu resources. The chairman, in conclusion, romarked that all the outstanding rates would have to go to pay for sinking fund and interest. EATING LIABILITY. Tho clerk reported that the summonses for overdue rates would be issued to come up for hearing at the next sitting of the Mercer Magistrate's Court.

The chaiiman mentioned tliit by purchasing property ia the River Board district from Maoris several pakehas were now liable for back rates unpaid on the properties. lhe cleik was instructed to ascertain the names of ntw owners and further to arrange for lieus on native property on which rates were outstanding. MISCELLANEOUS. It was decided to renew the request to Parliament for a g'ant of £SOO towards the cost of the dredge and to enquire whether tho grants toted for work in the creeks wore now available The clerk was instructed to get details of all sand and shiogle taken from the river for a royalty charge of threepence per yard to be uiado. To remedy the injustice of Maori launch owners carrying passengers aud paying no license fees for their boats whilst other launch proprietors were subject to a license fee ot £l Is, it was resolved to mako application to the Minister of Marine for power to license all steamers and launches trading on the river. The anomaly of con-ignors and consignees of river borne goods having to pay to the Railway Department a royalty on all goods thipped from or landed on the river bank for an approximate distance of one and a-h9lf miles on each side of the Mercer wharf was referred to and it was decided to request the Department to withdraw the regulation. Mr Gallery reported that the river was now running freely as the result of the operations with the dredge at the " sheep paddock," where a cutting was being made through the bank that extends across the stream. RATES.

At a special meeting of the Board held subsequent to the ordinary meeting a resolution to strike th e following rates was confirmed, viz, a general rate of £d in the £ on A class lands ; Jd on B class and id on 0 class and a special rate (Loan Account) of Jd in the £ on A class land ; jd on B class and 3-16 d on C class. It was also resolved to strike the following special ratej on the £BSO loan for lowering the Roto Ngaro Lake and £SOO for cleaning out the Maungatawhiri Stream, viz : Iu the Ngaro por.ion of the Whangape subdiviaon, a rate of Id in the £ on A class land ; id on B class and jd on C class, and for the loan for the Maungatawhiri Creek : id in the £ cn A class, ]d on B class and id on C class. An agreement has been arrived at between the Waikato River Board and the Town Board whereby the United Timber Co has been granted permission to make a filling and breastwork at the mill end of the wharf to facilitate the handling and storage of timber. Provision has also been allowed for a site on the breastwork of an office for the River Board. The breastwork is to be 200 yards long. This week a start is to be made with a programme of improvements, to cost £BOO, at tho Mercer Hotel. Six new bedrooms are to ba attached to the southern end of the building and the space below on the ground flooris to be utilisedfor a commercial room with dimensions 2lft by 15ft. The hotel will be renovated throughcut, including the painting and repapering of the hotel and improvements to the hot water service, while lavatory accommodation will be installed on the tirst'lloor. Mr A. G. Daw, architect, of Auckland, has designed the alterations and additions, which are to be carried out by Mr Grayson, builder, uf Mt. Eden, Auckland.

HUNUA. On Frilav evening, July 21st, a! farewell social was tendered in the j local JIhII to Curpl. W. Ferguson, ] and Pte. Robt. Cowan, ptinr to their return to Trpntham. There was a good gathering of friends and residents. During the evening, Mr T. J. Lock wood, J.P , on behalf of the Hunua resident?, in a neat speech presented each of the guef-.ts with an illumiuated wristlet watch. Coipl. Fergusou thanked one and all for their valuable present, and said lie was out to do his " bit " Mr James Uowun, senr., replied on behult' of his son, who was away at Taranaki, and mentioned that being unable to go himself he was proud to have a son going to, tho front. The ladies of the district provided refreshments and dancing was kept up till the early hours of the morning, Mr 11. McConnel, kindly supplying the music. lu connection with the gathering there was fome ill feeling between the Social Committee and the Hall Committee, by reason of the latter charging full fee for tho hire of the hall. Mr H. McConnel, of Hunua, left for Trenthau on Monday of last week. He is the third married man from Hunua who has enlisted. The local creamery is to bo opeued on August Ist. Great symyathy is felt in the district with Mrs John Doherty who has been seriously ill with pneumonia and pleurisy.

PAPAKURA. The Vicar of Papakura, Rev. W. C. Wood, is inviting the business people of Papakura to dose their places of business on Friday next, August Ith, from 12 noon until 2 p iu. A special In Memorian and Intercfrssny service will be held in the English Church, cotnmeucing at 12 15 and lasting one hour. These services held at the same hour la«t year and on Anzac Day weie largely attended and mist impressive, and doubtless the opportunity of remembering the men who have laid down their lives for King and Country, and the men who are still engaged in war, will be availe 1 of by numbers. Duri'ng the service Mr Seaton will sing a sacred .solo. In a replace advt. in this is u°, Messrs Richardson Bros., Ltd , proprietors of the Papakura Steam Joinery Factory, guarantee all their joinery as being mado from well seasoned timber, and invite a trill order for goods from any branch of their establishment. Messrs Stokes and E irl annouueo bv advt. in this issue that although Act of Parliament may make " shouting " for certain articles illegal no law cm stop the public shouting for iheir special blend of " S and E " tea, which is bound to give satisfaction.

TUAKAU Instead of a mreting of ratepayers, as previously arranged, takiug place next Thursday iu connection with the Tuakau Town Board's loan scheme a public moating is to be held on Friday ovening (tho second anniversary of the declaration of war) to record as in other places the determination of the people to carry the war through to a successful issue. On tho conclusion of this business a meeting of ratepayers will be held and tho loan proposals will be explained in detail.

MANUREWA. The Vicar, Rov. W. C. Wood, will conduct, a special Intercessory Service in S. Luko's Church ou the evening of August -Ith, commencing at 7.30 p.m. During the evening Mr Seaton will sing a sacred solo.