MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 256, 6 March 1917, Page 1

MERCER.

WAIKATO SHIPPING CO., LTD.

RIVER TRUST SCHEME

A meeting of directors of the Waikato Shipping Co., Ltd, was held at Mercer oil Feb 23rd when thero were present Messrs P. C. Johnson (chairman), W. Wilson, E. T. Frost, 0. C. Davis, R. Clephane, B. Horrocks, E. English with the newly appointed manager (Mr A. L. Stevenson). Mr W. Glass the chairman of the Waikato River Board waited on the meeting and in advocating the formation of a River Trust, in place of the River Board, representative of all river and trading interests. He asked for the company's co-operation with a view to making a special appeal to the Government for a subtidy for utilising the willow-piles about to be removed from the Opuatia Creek.—lt was decided that a letter be written to the Government favouring the suggestion. The statutory meeting was held the same day when in addition to the directors present were Messrs Parr (Hamilton), A. C. Tribe, Valentine and E. Hallett.

Mr Parr (Hamilton) offered congratulations on the formation of the company and spoke encouragingly of the prospective business at Hamil - ton and the district.

A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Mr C. C. Davis for his valuable services since the formation of the company. The statement of accounts as presented was approved. Business continues brisk on the river. The Waikato Shipping Com pany's steamer, " Arapawa," is bringing in from Onehunga to the Heads a large shipment of benzine and kerosene. It is intended by the company when the s.s. " Freetrader'' is again in commission to carry a lot of Class A and B goods to the Upper Waikato under hatches. A considerable quantity of groceries (including sugar) and drapery fall under this rate.

Mrs Alox. Smith, eldest daughter of Mr W. C. Pickett, late of Mercer, died last Sunday at her parents residence at Ohaupo after a brief illness. The deceased lady was highly respected throughout the district. Much sympathy is expressed for the berdaved husband and parents. WAIKATO RIVER BOARD

A meeting of the River Board was ' held on Saturday the 24th February, those present being Messrs A. G. 0. Glass (chairman), M. Gallery, S. P. Preudergast, J. Cronin with Mr E. Hallett (secretary). A letter was read from the Under Secretary of Lands and Survey relative to the silting of the canal at the top of the Maramarua creek. Letters were also read from several settlers as to the *tate of the canal. The Board were strongly of that the silting was done drain made by Messrs Bros, which emptied into the at the top, resulting in thousands of tons of sand down the Mangatangi creek. The clerk was directed to communicate with Mr J. B. Thompson (the Engineer for the Lands Drainage Board, Thames) suggesting that Messrs Friedlander Bros, and others were responsible for the state of the canal. It was reported that the dredge was still working in the Maungatawhiri creek aDd was doing excellent work. It was proposed to dredge the balance of the creek as far as the railway bridge, Mercer. It was reported that owing to the difficulty of obtaining suitable labour the Board are unable to carry out work which under noriial conditions it was hoped might be effected As many as 3000 cases of benzine together with other cargo passed through Mercer in barges from the the Heads for Hamilton and Cambridge last Thursday. This is some indication of the extensive and progressive trade carried on by the Waikato Shipping Company. Large quantities of fowls and ducks from settlers on the banks of the Waikato between the Heads and Mercer were also sent through consigned for the Hamliton market.