MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 281, 1 June 1917, Page 4

MERCER.

WAIKATO KIVER BOARD. ] At the monthly meeting of the j Waikato River Board held on Satur- | day last there were present Messrs I J. T. Cronin (acting-chairman', S. i P. Pendergast, M. Gallery, with the clerk (Mr RHalletti. MATJXGATAWHIRI CREEK. It was reported that the dredging of this creek was still being continued 1 and that about £240 remained to be expended out of the £SOO borrowed for the purpose. Owing to the difficulty experienced in getting the Board's dredge under the Maungatawhiri bridge it was decided to apply to the Franklin County Council for permission to remove a span from the bridge so that the dredge could pass under it, Mr Sellars (the Board's overseer) having made arrangements to have the dredge dismantled to enable this to be done as soon as the Council's permission was obtained. The results already obtained by the dredging were reported to be much appreciated by the s ttlers of Pokeno Valley as it was estimated that quite 5000 acres would be drained. This would also provide a source of outlet for the water to get away from the roads and should ultimately prove of much assistance to the work of the County Council. KOFUERA CREEK. The Overseerer reported that work to the extent of four miles had been done in clearing willows and snags from this creek. WORK ON CREEKS.

On account of the heavy rains work on the Opuatia and Waikare Creeks it was reported had been delayed, but as soon as the weather improved operations on these creeks would be commenced.

WAIKATO SHIPPING COMPANY. At the meeting of the Directors of the Waikato Shipping Company, Ltd., held at Mercer on Satuiday last there were present: Messrs J. T. Johnson (chairman), R. English, E. Clephane, C. C. Davis, W. Wilson and E. T. Frost with the secretary (Mr Stevenson). It was reported that the improvements to the s.s. Freetrader had been nearly completed and it was expected that the vessel would be ready for service at an early date. It was decided to proceed with extensive improvements to the Mine Wharf at Huntly West and especially with the train track. Some discussion took place with regard to the projected storage accommodation at Hamilton and it was reported that a large number of business men interested in the Company's development there had promised assistance. With a view to meeting the increased demands on the passenger service on the Waipa river it was announced that a special steamer was being refitted for service on that river.

From time to time attention has been drawn in these columns to the expanding trade carried on by the Waikato Shipping Company, Ltd, and to the difficulty experienced in coping with the increased volume of business. At Hamilton, for instance, it was recently deemed imperative to requisition two steamers to assist in towing the heavily laden barges, while at Morcer it has become necessary to equip other boats so as to deal with the trade passing throughout that area. In all directions the whole of the Waikato river is gradually assuming greater importance, and at the last directors' meeting of the Waikato Shipping Company held at Mercer some time was spent in. discussing what better facilities could be afforded at Hamilton with a view to meeting the enormous demands made by many commercial firms there. It is gratifying to note that it was reported that the Mayor of Hamilton (Mr J. W. Ellis) had assured the company that the Borough Council ,vould readily assist the river trade, especially in view of the fact that it was understood that several Auckland firms haddeeidod to make Hamilton a distributing centre for a large area, und under those circumstances alone storage accommodation was an absolute necessity. While it may be suggested that the demands of Hamilton do not materially affect Mercer to any great extent, the fact should not be overlooked that the increasing trade, however small at each port, has a lellecting and beneficent influence on the various districts served by the Waikato, and at hast shows that the carriage of goods by waterway is daily becoming more popular, while the low cost of carriage, when compared with the railway charges, is a factor decidedly in favour of the Waikato waterway. A letter has been received by the Clerk of the Town Board from Mr A. Smitb, resigning his seat on the Board owing to his departure from the district. Thus a vacancy has been created on the Board.

Tho many friends of Mr A. C. Tribe will bo sorry to learn that be is not yet well enough to be removed from Auckland.

I EAST TAMAKI. Y.M.C.A. FUND The following is tho list of subi scriptions to date towards the local ! Y.M.C.A Furd:— East Tamaki | Roid Board, £lO ; P. McConnell and | A. Guy, £5 each ; 8. McCulloch, £3 ! lis ; J. Hodgson, £2 2s ; M. A. Henwood, £2 Is ; R. 0. Wallace, F. M. Waters, R. F. Eccles, W. Douglas, J. F. Leightou, S. Ferguson, W. McGowan, J. T. White, and E M, Murphy, £2 each; T. Chapman, £1 2s 6d ; M. L. Feist, 11. J. O'Neill, C. Wallace, S. Fulton, and 11. Sharp, £1 Is each; M. Crooks, W. T. Wools, R. Rawson, C. Hroston, "EC.O," and T. J. SutclilTe, £1 each ; E. Knapping, E. Green, G. Smith, R. Sutcliffo, M. West and F. West, 10s each; F. Thorburn, W. Bollingham, R. Sutcliffe, Friend, T. Blake, J. Findlay, D Archibald, W. Baverstock, and J. Roid, .3s each; "G" 2s (id. Another list is still to como and will bo published in our next issue.