OHAKUNE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9339, 7 January 1909, Page 4

OHAKUNE.

TOWN BOARD MEETING, From Our Travelling Correspondent. Thp usual meeting of Ohaknna Town Board was held in the Town Hail on Tuesday evening. Present: Commissioners Athy (chairman), R. Loane, A. H. Wilkie, James Qninn, and J. A. Bntler. Correspondence was dealt with from the Engineer for Public Works, stating that his department could not see its way to widen the bridge at Marsh’s corner. From Mr Ohenery Suggate, Engineer, Auckland, stating that he would meet the Board on sth January. REPORTS. Commissioner Wilkie reported that he had interviewed the Bank manager re an overdraft for the Board, and that the Board would be able to get at least £IOO, Or. Wilkie stated that he had wired the Commissioner- of Crown Lands re tbe urgent necessity for opening up Miro, Pakau, and other streets affected by the lands recently opened up and that he had pointed out that a great number of the owners of the land in question were unable to get on to their holdings on account of the roads not being opened up. The Commissioner of Crown Lands had replied that the matter would bo proceeded with immediately. Cr. Wilkie also reported that an immediate application should be sent in from the Board to the Aotea Land Board for the acquisition of the laud now known as the Sporta ground, for if prompt action were not taken there was a chance of losing the ground altogether. Or. Butler then proposed, and Or. Quinn seconded, and it was carriedunanimously, That Or. Wilkie be appointed to wait on the Aotea Land Board at its next meeting.

The Clerk reported that he had all the information ready for Treasury re the £SOO loan, for footpath construction.

Or. Butler, proposed, and Or. Loane seconded, That the Board meet weekly in future.—Carried. Or. Wilkie thought that tenders should be called immediately for the work to be carried out in street and footpath formation, as the matter was an urgent one. The matter was held over in the meantime.

Or. Loane brought up the matter of engaging a surfaceman.—Held over.

Or. Butler said that several ratepayers wanted to know if they had to pay their rates to the County Council or to the Board now that the Board was a separate body. The Board are to receive the rates forthwith.

The Board then went into committee to deal with the matter of engaging an Engineer and Mr Ohenery Suggate, of Auckland, was appointed, and was instructed to proceed with the construction of the roads and footpaths affected by the £SOO loan. The Board then-adjourned.

At the meeting of the Town Board a councillor stated that he had £SOOO cash offered him to farther the interests a£ his thriving township.

Constable Wright, who stationed hero, has been transferred to Rotorua, and leaves this week. Constable Annison, of Rotorua, will take his place. To cope with the ever increasing traffic Mr W. Jopp has just landed two new coaches capable of conveying 37 and 21 persons. The Town Hall is now completed and adds to Ohakune’s modern architecture. The hall is 110 feet by 40 feet, and|is the largest on the Main Trunk Line between Marton and Hamilton. As the town is full of visitors every night theatricals and picture companies should not Hesitate to pay it a visit. Speaking to Mr Ohenery® Suggate, Engineer, Auckland, who is at present here proceeding with the construction of the roads and footpaths, he informed our representative that Ohakune was admirably situated for an excellent high pressure water supply and also a drainage and lighting scheme. On Tuesday evening the coaches from the mail train brought with them sixty Ministers and their wives en route*to attend the Methodist Conference at Auckalnd.

Having read several articles in the Taihape Times and Auckland Herald re the lack of accommodation at Oliakune I visited every one of the boardinghouses yesterday morning, and was quite convinced that the rumours that have been current are quite incorrect and very disparaging to the boardinghouse proprietors, who have all endeavoured to do their best in the very short notice that they received, and all deserve the highest praise. All the rooms have been inspected by Mr Bennett, Government Health Inspector, Hamilton, and his report proved excellent. As for visitors sleeping in the carriages of the train, this is absolutely unnecessary. People have an idea that Ohakune cannot acodmmodate£inany, and when I informed some who said they had had to sleep in trains that fully fifty or sixty more people could get accommodation, Jthey said they heard every place was full. The boardinghouse proprietors employ an agent to go to every mail train and distribute a pamphlet on which is printed the address of every accommodation house in Uhakune. I found every accommodation house in Ohakune fitted throughout with excellent conveniences. The rooms are all large, airy, clean, and the beds are moat comfortable. Breakfast may be obtained at any hour in the morning, and when the evening train, reaches Ohakune “ tween X. 15 and 8.30, a hot'dinner may be obtained at any of the houses.