Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 70, 14 June 1927, Page 3

Province and Suburb

(From THE SUN’S Correspondents.)

WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL

Cr - ?' C ' Macky presided over the monthly meeting of the Waipa Countv Counc ll , which w -as held on Monday at Te Awamutu. There were also SJAI’A G - T ' Johnson , G. S. Clarke W McGee, A H .Storey, R. G. Speake, J. S. Fisher, N. Reid, S. Saulbrey, A. Churedf* 0116 ’ F. Feaeocke and T.

Co-operation was sought by the New Zealand Farmers' Union, Hamilton, In devising some relief for farmers, and to that end notified that it Intends eonY?, ni 3? S - a meeting , of representatives of all dairy companies, agricultural and pastoral associations, countv councils and other farmers’ organisations in the feouth Auckland districts. The conference would be held on Wednesday, June -9, at Hamilton. It was proposed that the conference should be called the Farmers’ Economic Conference.” and suggested remits to be supplied, on similar lines to those debated at the recent provincial conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. Two delegates from the Waipa County were suggested. The circular was considered outside the scope of the county council.

The Raglan county clerk wrote re the Whatawhata Swamp Road maintenance, stating that his council had been advised that it cannot legally pay Waipa the £3O per annum claimed. The chairman said the correct position was that the £3O was towards the capital cost; the award later was only in respect to maintenance. Therefore the points were different. The £3O had been paid for several years. Possibly Raglan could not be compelled to pay, but morally Raglan should pay. Members agreed that the grounds of the claim should again be stated to Raglan. Mr. J. A. Washer, Horotiu, drew the council’s attention to the overflow of stormwater on to his land, through drains being blocked.—The engineer and riding member were authorised to see what could be done. CHIEFTAIN’S DEATH \ The death occurred at Ngaruawahia early on Saturday morning of one of the best known and most highlyrespected citizens of Otorohanga in the person of Mr. John Ormsby, senr. The deceased, who was 71 years of age, had been in failing health for several months past. Some two weeks ago his friends—at his desire—removed him by motor-car to Ngaruawahia. On the journey another car collided with the vehicle, and, as a result, Mr. Ormsby received a shock, which no doubt hastened his inevitable end. He was a high chief of the erstwhile great Maniapoto tribe—on his mother’s side, his father being one of the earliest schoolmasters to conduct a school in the King Country—at Kopua, on the Waipa River, near Pirongia, where the dead chief was born. The main portion of Mr. Ormsby’s life was spent in Otorohanga, where he was engaged in various business enterprises. He held, controlled arid worked large areas of land in the vicinity of Kopua, Otorohanga, Mangaoronga and other localities, and was always considered an excellent farmer. Besides these activities he took a keen and very active interest in the politics of the Dominion and in local government. He was unanimously elected first chairman of the Otorohanga Town Board and retained that position until failing health caused him to relinquish many of his public duties. When the Waitomo County Council was formed Mr, Ormsby became the first clerk. As storekeeper, butcher, trader, baker, interpreter, Government agent and temperance hotel host, Mr. Ormsby came into contact with many men. In all his dealings he was upright and honourable, as befitted a chief of the high lineage from which he descended. He was twice married, his first wife, a Maniapoto chieftainess, dying many years ago. He leaves his second wife, also a Maniapoto of high degree, and a grown-up family of several daughters and one son, Mr. David Ormsby, of Rangiatea. He will be buried in the family burial ground near Kopua this afternoon. MRS. MARTHA BOWEN A very interesting and pleasing personality has just answered the call of the grim reaper in the person of Mrs. Martha Bowen, of Huntly, wife of Mr. George Bowen, a well-known settler of Huntly West. Struck down with a paralytic stroke a fortnight back, following an illness of three years, the deceased lady failed to rally, and passed away at the Hamilton Hospital on Saturday last. Born at Dudley, in Worcestershire, England, in 1569, Mrs. Bowen migrated with her husband to New Zealand in 1912 from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, and settled at Kimihia, living the latter Dart of her life at Huntly East. From 1899 to 1912, Mrs. Bowen took a very active part in the women’s suffragette and other social movements in the Chesterfield district of Derbyshire. She is survived by her husband, and two grown-up sons, Richard and Keir, to whom widespread sympathy has been extended. The Rev Carr, Methodist, read the burial service at the interment, which took place yesterday afternoon at Kimihia cemetery. UNIMPROVED RATING The question’ of rating on unimproved values came up at Monday’s meeting of the Waipa County Council. Cr. Peacocke considered the council should take action in opposing the proposal in favour of rating on unimproved values. It would be a serious matter in some districts if carired. The chairman stated that at a previous meeting it had been decided that if the proposal were proceeded with each riding member would convene meetings in his own district to discuss the matter. Cr. Peacocke remarked that the agitation rose from ratepayers in the vicinity of Hamilton. They had moved out of the borough to save rates, and now they were seeking to get further advantages at the expense of other ratepayers. Cr. Livingstone said he was informed: that there were over 500 signatures to the petition. It was decided to defer further comment until the petition be lodged, il being pointed out that any decision at a poll could not be effective until next financial year. OPOTIKI-EAST COAST ROAD The Bay of Plenty Development League lias been notified by the Hon. G. J. Anderson, on behalf of the Minister for Public Works, that it is intended to erect the Motu bridge, and push on with construction from the end of the present road on the Opotiki side of the river to the county boundary, and so join up all the isolate section already formed.

The communication goes on to say that the importance of this road is fully recognised, as will be seen from the fact that during the last financial year authorities to the extent of £12,800 were issued and approximately £IO,OOO expended on various sections and bridges. "At the present time the council has about 25 men at work, and my department has 31 men on the Motu River to Te Kaha section. The site plan and other information for the Motu Bridge have been prepared and the design is in hand.”

PAPATOETOE TOWN BOARD

At the fortnightly meeting of the Papatoetoe Town Board there were present; Mr. A. W. Hall (chairman), Messrs. W. J. Nicholson, W. Brown J Franklin, P. Pennell, E. S. Sorenson! Geo. Foster.

The foreman reported that the work on Carruth Road had been completed except for two hours’ rolling. Wyllie Road had received attention, and' the crossing to the Orphans’ Home had been attended to, and scoria had been spread on the eastern path of Great South Road from Waring’s Store to Davies’.

The Works Committee reported that metal had been used in the repair ot Wallace Road in place of scoria, and also asked that permanent levels be taken of Carruth Road, the engineer was instructed to supply the latter before the next meeting. After considerable discussion regarding the removal of the shed on the recreation ground at present used as a dressing-shed for the football teams, it was decided that the Works Committee interview the clubs concerned. If a dressing-room is required a temporary room should be erected for the club’s use till it is decided to erect a permanent structure. The Manukau County's engineer wrote asking that the board lend its foreman and employees for the purpose of laying the kerb from the end of the board’s boundary at Hunter’s Corner to Coronation Road. It was decided to accede to the request. The engineer reported having viewed the surroundings of Mr. E. G. Bray's property in regard to his complaint re storm water. It was decided that the work be done, the engineer’s estimated cost of the work was £23 4s. It was decided that all roading permerits issued before th new roading conditions came into force hold good providing the work is completed before the beginning of March, 1928. An application from A. S. Mephan was referred to ti 4 building inspector and health inspector to confer. The chairman reported having conferred with Mr. W. McLaughlin re the supply of water to the board. The conditions as laid down by Mr. McLaughlin, refer to the approval of the board’s employees by the owner, driving of cattle along the board’s roads, that he supply the water free of cost so long as the board or subsequent boards abide by the agreement, but in case of any breaking of the agreement the board pay the usual royalty. It was decided that a draft agreement be drawn up and brought before the board, Mr. Hall and the engineer are to view the property and issued a report on the amount of land required to be reserved. Blythe’s subdivision was reQonsidered. It was returned some time ago as the roads di dnot conform with the board’s requirements. It was decided that the plan be forwarded to the Director of Town Planning to allow the passing of the 50ft. roads, the board to recommend that he approve of the subdivision. Regard Harris’" subdivision it was was decided that the engineer view the estate and report to the board. It was decided to approach Mr. Geeson and ask for confirmation of ms offer to supply a civic plan of the Papatoetoe district. Shirley Road is to be closed to stock. This was brought about by the careering of a mob of thirty cattle trampling on the reserve and causing quite a lot of damage. SUCCESSFUL RADIO AMATEUR Mr. G. T, Guide, in charge of station Z-IFB at Opotiki, is in receipt of communications from Lieutenant F. De Avillez, Lisbon, Portugal, and Monsieur G. Barexi, Rouen, France, confirming two-way communications with Z-IFB on March 24 and March 26 respectively. Mr. Guide carried on communication with these distant cities on a two-valve set made by himself. Mr. Guide is one of the most successful radio amateurs in New Zealand. W.E.A. AT WAIPA The Workers’ Educational Association’s Waihi branch promises to be one of the - best in the Waikato centre. A class with a membership of nearly forty has been formed to study current history. Mr. W. M. Richmond, 8.A., is the lecturer. A committee, with the Mayor, Mr. W. M. Wajlnutt as chairman, and Mr. J. Ross as secretary, has been formed. If a leader can be secured a modern drama circle will be formed, fifteen people having signified their willingness to join such a class.