TUAKAU.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 332, 23 November 1917, Page 4

TUAKAU.

BANQUET TO MR MASSEY , Following on the official opening «

of the butter factory at Tuakau last Monday, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) was in the evening entertained at a dinner in the Tuakau Hotel, Mr Dynes Fulton presiding over a company numbering about 40. Mr Fulton, in proposing the health of the Premier, paid a passing tribute to the valuable services rendered by the member for Raglan {Mr R. F. Bollard, who they were also pleased to have with them that evening. Their esteemed guest, the Prime Minister, said the speaker, had during the past year ably represented them in conjunction with Sir Joseph Ward in the Old Country and had rendered conspicuous help in connection with the war and the Empire. The toast was enthusiastically drunk. The Premier, in a happy mood, expressed his appreciation not only of their kind expressions towards him but for the function that evening, lie referred to the future progress of Tuakau and district and after paying a high tribute to the consistent and <[uiet work done by the member for Raglan he reminded those present that the position which the Dominion now occupied in the Imperial Cabinet was an indication of the important step which had been taken and a recognition of the claims New Zealand now had in the affairs of the world. The speaker then dwolt on the various phases of the war as gained by his experiences when in England and made appreceable reference to the marvels of London as the metropolis of the world and to the many large centres of industry he had visited. The Premier and Parliamentary party then left by the Wellington express, after which -several of the company returned to the hotel where a convivial evening was spent

DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER Whilst at Tuakau on Monday the Piime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massej* MP) was interviewed in regard to various matters. DOMAIN* HOARD LAND Messis Dynes Fulton, J. H Craig, and \V. Glasgow, representing the Tuakau Towd Board, waited upon the Prime Minister and enquired if the land at Tuakau comprising about 30 acres and formerly controlled by the Domain Board could be acquired by the Town Board for the benefit of the town. It was pointed out by the deputation that the Domain Heard was no longer in existence ar.d the application by the Town Board was made in the interests of the town and district.

The Premier, in reply, stated that before an) thing could be done legislation would be required. SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION A further deputation headed by Mr E, T. Frost, representing the Tuakau School Committee, interviewed the Premier and urged that his influence should be exercised to obtain the necessary authority from the Education Department for the purchase of the land already chosen by the Auckland Education Board as the site of an additional school. R' presentation was also made of the great lack of accommodation provided for tho district and the need for better educational facilities. In support of this contention it was mentioned that whilst there had been some dissension between the claims of tho north and south portions of the district the site selected was generally regarded as the best one in the interests of the district as a whole.

The Premier, in reply, pointed out that owing to the vhigh cost of muterial no building was being earned on unless it was absolutely necessary, but in view of the early visit of the Miuister of Education to the dDtriet he Bug-p-ted that the deputation should wait upon him. lie (Mr Massey" w< uld be pleased to do what he could to assist them in the matter and would speak to the Minister on the subject. A HOAIUNC OIUECT With the object of furthering an endeavour to provide a more direct communication to Tuakau by a connection, about 25 chains in length, being provided between Dominion road, Tuakau, and the Razorback,a deputation consisting of Messrs Dynes Fulton 'Tuakau Town Board) and Irs W. C Motion and H. Wilcox .Franklin County Council) enquired of the Premier if the Government would be prepared to subsidise a loan of £250, £l for £l, towards the cost of providing such connection. Cr Wilcox, speaking on behalf of the County, mentioned that th.ir Engineer had estimated that the cost of ihe land and incidentals would amount to about £SOO, to wards which the settlers would lm prepared to contribute £250. Cr Motion, in supporting the remarks of the previous speaker, pointed (lit that better roading facilities as indicated would not only bo an advantage to the settlers but w oiihi prove ..I l.enclit to I'uakau by giviug I etter access to the town. In this connection the Town Hoard would give eveiy assistance. Mr Massey, in reply, pointed out that no iinaucial assistance could be giv»n until Parliament again met but )e> would consider the application favourably, although so much depended oil 'he «.*:.it« ol the liuauces i t \! sessi. ii I ' \K'.r'- >l lll.H' E'UX Assistance was sought |by the Town Hi aid for a further instalment j ol loan to provide for street improve- j merit-, the deputation consisting of i Messrs Dynes Fulton, J. 11. Craig, A'. Glasgow, J. Duett, and W. J. i Double. Mi Fulton pointed out that for 'he loan of £'17,000 a I further instalment of l'.'iUOO was re- j ijuire-i and the ]'minor was asked j t avi-t in securing the same to I i tia 1 le the "■ ■■ nrt 1 to cany out the j in' ~>>\ A"ik- ami nijii-veinents : '. i . l.issey, iii reply, mentioned j tia' whilst he would do his best *o ' .i yi i-t' l ie \\ :-nl his povrers wftfi I -if "what limited as the Public ' J'l'u t "fli" 1 was not in the ordinary , i-- n Depart" cut o" M lf > H» >fc 1 u the fun l« b n iijr contributed by pi\atu lie, however, j

; would assist th* Board in every way.

LAND FOR RETTRNED SOLMERS In the interests of returned 'soldiers, Mr Dynes Fulton brought under the notice of the Premier a desirable farm of 550 acres known as Potter's farm, at Pukekaw a, which could be acquired at Government valuation. The Prime Minister 9tated he would consider the proposal and submit it to the Land Purchase Board who would report later. In the absence of Or Morrison (Pukekawa) Or Crawford (Onewhero) mentioned that about 2,000 acres of desirable native land, known as the Karaka block at Pukekawa could be secured which, he submitted, would in tho interests of the soldiers be a better proposition than Potter's farm. Mr J. A. Young, M.P., who was present, intimated that he believed there was a proclamation placed by the Government on the land and he thought it could be acquired for the purpose at a reasonable figure. Other speakers having supported the proposal brought forward by Cr Crawford, the Premier intimated that ha would favourably consider the proposal. THE PUKEKOHE *HOW Representation was made on behalf of the Franklin A. and P. Society by Messrs Dynes Fulton and J. H. Craig that the Railway Department should afford train facilities on the approaching show days. The success of the show, it was pointed out. depended on the visitors and the deputation asked that the Premier would, as far as possible, assist the Executive in their endeavour to cater for the public proceeding to Pukekohe. Mr Massey, whilst assuring the deputation of bis desire to assist, pointed out the labour difficulties the Railway Department had to contend with but promised that he would do his best to assist the Society.