Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 212, 26 November 1927, Page 14

Province and Suburb

(From THE SUN’S Correspondents.)

TALL FESCUE MENACE ACTION IN HAURAKI "In a few months' time a person will not be able to And Tunua township for the tall fescue," said Cr. J. C. -Miller at Thursday's meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council, when the eradication from the roadsides of this pest —which was a greater menace than any noxious weed, but which the Government would not declare a noxious weed —was under discussion. Cr. H. H. Hicks brought up the question and urged that as tho tall fescue would be seeding in a few weeks the c< ini il i uld have all the roadsides mown as quickly as possible. Thi. was derided upon and telephone messages were sent to have the work commenced that afternoon. Cr. J. C. Miller said that he was absolutely disgusted with those settlers who permitted tall fescue to grow and shed its seeds year after year along their frontages and on their farms. Some few farmers took particular care to eradicate all tall fescue, but the majority were quite apathetic. What would cost a few pounds to do now would cost hundreds or thousands of pounds in a year or two if it was worth while doing at all. He could not understand the apathy of farmers, for the pest was rapidly taking control. A NEW DEPARTURE METHODS AT PUTARURU The difficulties which at times confront a local body responsible for the government of a town of less than 1,000 inhabitants and where everyone, more or less, knows one another, have been tackled in a bold manner by the Putaruru Town Board. In future all resolutions will be placed on record without any names being attached thereto, thus making the Putaruru body the first in New Zealand to adopt a practice which was recently suggested as advisable by members of the Auckland City Council. At lirst sight the suggestion may seem a revolutionary one, impossible to put into practice, but it did not turn out so at the last meeting of the Putaruru body when the new proposal was put into operation for the first time. The meeting went forward quite smoothly and beyond an occasional “I’ll move that,” the innovation made little difference. In fact if any comment could be made it appeared as if business was dispatched with more promptitude than is usual. The new idea has been hailed with delight by most members of the board, for while at times credit was apt to go to the wrong party solely because his name happened to be attached to a motion, this cannot now be the case. Similarly members are relieved of the responsibility of attaching their names to unpopular resolutions, which factor all those who have served on small local bodies will recognise as being a big one in the successful government of a township. This, of course is because even if such a resolution were unanimous it was always the mover and seconder who had to stand the brunt of critiieem, which in a small community vc*ry often militated against tho business operations of the parties concerned.

PUTARURU TOWN DISTRICT FIRST LOAN PROPOSALS There was a good attendance of ratepayers in the Putaruru Hall to hear an explanation of the details of the proposed loan of £7.500 for which a poll of ratepayers will, be held on Monday next. In his opening remarks, Mr. G. G. Griffiths, chairman of the Town Board, stressed the fact that in promoting good government it was necessary to bring down a comprehensive scheme «V»d to envisage the town as it would b% in a few years time. The present scheme would cost ratepayers 22-5 d in die £ and covered two miles two and a-half chains of road work, two miles 15 chains of six-foot pathways, and one mile five chains of 12-foot pathways. The latter would be kerbed and channelled in concrete and would later be dressed with tar and bitumen. Not the least important part of the proposals was an amount of £l5O for beautifying purposes. This would be banded over to a society formed on the lines of that of Hamilton, which would become a sub-committee of the Town Board. The £l5O w’ould be augmented by yearly grants in subsidy form. Putaruru was the centre of a large district, and with progressive government would undoubtedly become a very successful centre.

On the motion of Messrs. C. G. Alcorn and J. R. O. Lockhead a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the board for the careful thought and time expended in bringing forward such thorough proposals and pledging all ratepayers present to support the loan policy as outlined.

HAURAKI DRAINAGE WORKS IN PROGRESS The Hauraki United Drainage Board met at Turuu on Friday. Mr. S. S 3. Alurray presiding. The chairman reported that work on the Te Kauri No. 1 drain had already commenced. A further contract had been let for opening the outlet outside the floodgates. Provision had been made to keep existing outlets open during the progress of the work. Tenders for the erection of two road bridges and two farmers’ bridges over this drain will be called as soon as the plans are approved by the Public Works Department. Mr. J. M. Thompson reported having stopped the work of deepening the roadside drain near Price’s outlet, as it had been found that no fall could be obtained. In view of this failure 11 settlers petitioned the board asking tor the construction of new drain to the Willow drain, to relieve the roadside drain. Consideration was deterred until a report on the financial position was available. The board decided not to accept the recommendation made by the late llorahia Board, that the succeeding board undertake the payment of the electric-power board’s account for current consumed by a drain water pump installed by settlers on the Orchard Hast Road drain. Reporting on the work of the month the foreman. Mr. E. Flavell, stated that repairs had been effected to the floodgates on the factory outlet and on the Hudson-Chrlstie outlet. Attention had been given Mules’s outlet. LoaderGreenaway drain, No. la drain. Kere-peehi-Kopuarahi roadside drain, and Orchard East roadside drain. The treasurer, Mr. T. D. Wallace, reported that the bank overdraft was £2.495 13s 9d Accounts totalling £ 325 were passed for payment. The Minister of Finance forwarded approval to pay 7 per cent. Interest on loan money. The Public Trustee advised that the board’s application for a £I,OOO loan would receive consideration. Advice was received that the ratepayers’ list had been signed by the magistrate.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES SERVICES TO-MORROW Anniversary services, including special singing by the children’s choirs, will be held to-morrow at the Presbyterian Church, Great South Road, Papatoetoe, Methodist Church, PapaPapatoetoe, Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church, Town Hall, Manurewa, and Christ Church, Alfriston. THAMES VALLEY SHOW FINAL AWARDS The points prizes awarded at the Thames Valley Show were as follows: Medal for the most points in the school pony section.—Pat Aislabie. Draught Horse Cup.—Henry Ward. Friesian Cow Cup.—H. W. Reeve (won outright); heifer, H. W. Reeve (won outright). Grade Jersey Heifer.—J. D. Mackay. Yearling Grade Heifer.—J. D. Mackay. Rosebowl in Flower Section.—Mrs F. M. Strange. TE KUITI SCHOOL CHILDREN’S PERFORMANCE The infant department of the Te Kuiti District High School provided an entertainment to parents and friends at the school on Friday afternoon. Under the capable direction of Miss Eason, who is in charge of this department, the children contributed a number of very interesting items which were greatly appreciated. During the proceedings opportunity was taken by the headmaster, Mr. W. Smith, on behalf of the teachers and scholars, to present Miss Little, the popular teacher of the Primer 111. class, who is leaving Te Kuiti, with a handsomely-bound volume, and in doing so expressed the regret of the w’hole staff at losing one who was esteemed and respected by both teachers and pupils. Miss Little suitably responded. After the entertainment, afternoon tea was partaken of by the visitors.

FAREWELL TO MINISTER GOOD WISHES EXPRESSED The Parish Hall, Morrinsville, was filled to overflowing on Thursday evening, the occasion being the parishioners’ farewell to the Rev. Canon and Mrs. Kempthorne, who are leaving Morrinsville for Te Kuiti. Mr. A. H. Wyatt, people’s warden, wished Mr. Kempthorne, his wife and family every success, and on behalf of the parishioners handed the departing vicar a wallet of bank notes. Master Frank Shirley, on behalf of the choir boys, handed the reverend gentleman an engraved silver matchbox, and to Mrs. Kempthorne a cutglass perfume tray. On rising to reply, Mr. Kempthorne was greeted with loud applause. He said he and his wife and family would always remember the good wishes expressed. He desired to especially thank Mr. J. W. Jackson and Mr. D. N. Derdy for their kindly assistance at all times. The musical programme was contributed to by the Rev. Clark’s Mr. native string quartet, Orhpans’ quartet (Messrs. Echlin, Jones, Fawkner and Stringfield), Messrs. Cottingham, Wyatt, Seales and Jones.

Seales and Jones. The accompaniments were played by Airs. Stringfield.

FAREWELL SOCIAL TE KUITI OPERATIC SOCIETY On Thursday evening: the active members of the Te Kuiti Operatic Society tendered a farewell social and dance in the Parish Hall to Mr. L. W. Franks, a popular member of the society, who is shortly leaving for Marton. Mr. A. Blackman expressed the general regret of the society at losing such a talented member, and stated that as a memento it had been intended to present Mr. Franks with a framed photograph of the “H.M.S. Pinafore” company, in which he had taken a prominent part, but unfortunately the gift had not been finished in time for the function. However, it would be forwarded to him on completion. Mr. Franks suitably responded, and thanked the director, Mr. Sparks for his painstaking efforts on his behalf, and trusted that when ‘‘The Mikado” was staged at Cambridge he would be able to return and take part in the production. A pleasant evening was brought to a close by the singing of ‘‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

VETERINARY CLUB DISEASE IN HAURAKI The Farmers’ Veterinary Club met at Ngatea on Wednesday afternoon. It was reported that the mysterious malady which was affecting cows’ udders had been brought under the notice of the Agricultural Department which had promised to send a man to conduct investigations. However. the officer has not yet arrived and there was the chance that unless he arrived soon there would not be any affected stock available for inspection. Most of the animals were already dead or turned out. Complaints were voiced by a member that the Press report gave the indication that the malady was general throughout the district and in the discussion that followed it was shown that while two particular herds were very badly affected the malady was more or less general. An offer from a vaccine company to conduct experiments with a special vaccine was not accepted, members pointing out that inoculation had not proved entirely satisfactory in the past and it would not be right for the club to recommend its members to use something which had not been thoroughly tested and proved. Mr. Burke drew attention to the relatively large proportion of stock on the Plains affected with tuberculosis due to the wet conditions obtaining during the winter months and urged that the club make representations to the Government to have all dairy cattle in the county examined for infectious diseases at least twice a year. There was little doubt but that the law was being evaded by farmers. The motion was carried. Mr. Burke said that the large proportion of diseased stock made it desirable that all cattle slaughtered for human consumption should be examined by a Government inspector. The club should therefore urge on the county council the necessity for establishing an abattoirs. It was decided to make representations to the county council as suggested. Reporting on the financial position of the club the secretary, Mr.