Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 216, 1 December 1927, Page 14

Province and Suburb

VITAL STATISTICS

FIGURES FOR HAMILTON An increase of 15 births is recorded fn Hamilton for the month just ended compared with the corresponding period last yfar, while deaths decreased by 10. The vital statistics in Hamilton for November were:—l927: Births, 65; deaths, 15; marriages, 15. 1926: Births, 10; deaths, 25; marriages, 19.

HAURAKI ROADS

SOME ROUGH METAL The alternative route to the PokenoHaurakl Plains main highway, through the Mangatangi Valley and Miranda, is very much to be preferred at the present time except during wet weather. The Fran Id in County has graded the clay road and is maintaining the metal in good order, while the ICauraki Plains County’s section along the sea coast from Miranda to Waitakaruru, while not in such good order, Is \ery much smoother and easier on tyres than is the main highway. The metal on this highway is extremely rough and would convince anyone of the unsoundness of tyre taxes.

TE KUITI CHAMBER

LECTURE ON JAPAN Under the auspices of the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce, a very Interesting and instructive lecture, entitled Japan and Her People,” was delivered by Mr. Iyeinasa Tokugawa, Japanese Consul in Australia and New Zealand, in the Municipal Chambers, on Wednesday evening, before a large audience. The president of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. S. R. Craig, presided and referred to Japan's great interest in the League of Nations. At the close of the address a heartyvote of thanks, proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Mr. J. Boddie, was passed to the speaker. Mr. Tokugawa, who was accompanied by the Vice-Consul, Mr. Kishi, left for Wellington by the midnight express.

LOYAL JUBILEE LODGE

MEETING AT PAEROA On Tuesday evening, November 29, the half-yearly meeting of Loyal Jubilee Lodge, Manchester Unity Oddfellows, was held in Paeroa. The report of the year’s work and the progress shown and interest displayed augurs well for continued prosperity. The election of officers resulted as follows: N.G., Sister F. Freeman; 1.P.N.G., Bro. D. Snow; V.G., Bro. F. Davies; F.S., Sister Bertelsen; treasurer, Bro. B. W. Medhurst. The lodge in expressing to the permanent secretary. Sister Iris Taylor, appreciation of her untiring efforts and enthusiasm in the lodge and order, •tressed the interest shown txy sisters •f the lodge.

PRESBYTERIAN SOIREE

MANUREWA SUNDAY SCHOOL The members of the Manurewa Presbyterian Sunday School held their annual soiree <tnd social in the Manurewa Town Hall on Tuesday night. There was a large attendance of children present, who all did full justice to the sumptuous tea. which had been provided by the members of the Women’s Guild and the parents of the children. A very enjoyable musical programme was then given, and much appreciated. The Items rendered included the umbrella song, with actions; dialogues, •’Sunshine and Rain” and “A Sunbeam”; “Nature’s Children’*; recitations and nursery rhyme dialogues. During the evening the prizes won by the. children during the year were distributed. FOUNDATION-STONE The ceremony of laying the founda-tion-stone, of the new Presbyterian Church, which is being erected in Manurewa, will be performed next Saturday afternoon. The Rev. Fraser Barton will conduct the ceremony, and the Rev. T. H. Roseveare will lay the stone, which has been donated by Mrs. Young son.

FRANKLIN FARMER'S DEATH

MR. ROBERT McWATT One of Franklin’s best known farmers, Mr. Robert McWatt, passed away at his residence at Pukekohe to-day. Born at Newton some 64 years ago, the deceased was a son of Mr. Lawrence McWatt, one of New Zealand's early pioneers. Upon attaining early manhood the late Mr. McWatt adopted agricultural pursuits and settled in the Kohekohe district and subsequently removed to Otaua and Aka Aka. Some eight years ago he disposed of his farm and retired to reside at Pukekohe. He was a staunch Presbyterian and a prominent member of the Pukekohe Bowling Club.

Deceased is survived by a widow, five daughters and four sons. Mesdames K. Twidle. Pukekohe, H. Stevens, Birkenhead, M. Dorricott, Waihi, and Misses P. and R. McWatt, Pukekohe, and Messrs. L. McWatt, Maramarua, R. McWatt, South Australia, A. McWatt, Pukekohe, and J. L. McWatt, Matakana.

DEVONPORT BOROUGH

MEETING OF COUNCIL The Devonport Borough Council met last evening, attended by Messrs. Aldridge (Mayor), Browne, Massey, 11. A. Campbell, W. S. Campbell, Lyon, Kllisdon and Walsh.

Or. Ellisdon wanted to know when the engineer would have ready the draft plan for zoning the borough under the Town Planning Act. “Three months ago we were to have it in a month, and the matter is urgent,” he continued. Mr. Aldridge: We are doing like Mr. Massey used to—"keeping it steadily in view.’* The engineer explained that with a reduced staff and a multitude of duties he had not been able to give the matter much attention. On the question of terminating the engagement of the staff at the pumping station, the Mayor said it was most uneconomical and unsatisfactory that the change-over to electrical operation had not yet been completed. The council would have to decide immediately what it proposed doing. The engineer was instructed to have the change over made from December 12. A donation of £1 Is was made the Cornwell Cup Entertainment Committee and. £2 2s to ;3t, John Ambulance Brigad*,

(Prom THE SUN’S Correspondents.)

DEVONPORT WATER

INSTALLING METERS

At last night’s meeting of the Devonport Borough Council a new by-law was confirmed which will compel householders to instal a new type of water meters at their own expense. Mr. T. Walsh dissociated himself from the policy.

The Mayor. Mr. E. Aldridge, said that the policy had been carefully thought out and was essential. Letters from the North Devonport and the Melrose Ratepayers’ Associations asked the council if it was prepared to guarantee the meters for hve years and suggested their gradual installation.

It was stated that the meter makers gave a five-year guarantee, which any meter owner would have the advantage of.

NGATEA ANGLICAN CHURCH

BUILDING PROPOSALS Members of the Church of England community of Ngatea, at a meeting on Monday evening, agreed to purchase a site for a church on Mr. Darlington’s subdivision. The cost was £IOO, towards which Mr. W. G. Hayward had promised £25. The Ladies’ Guild had £IOO in hand as the result of a recent bazaar and there was £3OO in hand toward the cost of the building. The opinion was expressed that a big debt on a church was very undesirable and that building should not be commenced until there was at least £SOO in hand. This view was endorsed and it was agreed to make a canvass for funds or promises of donations.

Plans of a church were shown, but a decision as to the design was not made as it was thought advisable to wait until an indication was available as to the amount that could be afforded.

DEVONPORT CRICKET

PROBLEMS ON DOMAIN Complaint was laid before the Devonport Domain Board last evening that the situation of the practice pitches was such that balls went over the nets on to the croquet ground. In one afternoon seven balls had lobbed over on to the croquet lawns. The cricket club could not finance overnets. The board considered the shifting of the pitches, but there was no .money available for the purpose and the cricket club is to be notified to furnish sufficient nets. The variety of language employed by junior cricketers during practice was likewise complained of by the croquet players, and the club is to be asked to exercise supervision over the juniors, failing which police help will be sought. The cricket coach, Mr. Bowley, also intimated that owing to the dangerous nature of the practice pitch for schoolboys, he would not again coach the teams. The Domain caretaker reported that the trouble arose from the use of too much water and the groundsman would be advised accordingly.

FOOTPATHS AND GRASS

DEVONPORT WORRIES I The luxuriant crops of grass which j ornament most of the secondary streets |in Devonport was brought under the notice of the borough council last night by correspondence from several ratepayers. Lack of finance was the reason advanced by the council for its inability to deal with the problem. It was resolved to make arrangements with the Gas Company for a supply of spent oxide to be used on some of the streets and in O’Neill’s Point cemetery, where unemployed relief money has been spent repairing the paths and main entrance. Bitter complaint of the very dangerous state of Waterview Road was made by Mr. Kalaugher, whose wife had suffered injury by tripping on the paths. The enginer said the only way was to rip up the old paths and put down scoria. Mr. Ellisdon: What! Break up the bit of path there is and give the people a worse one?” The Mayor: “I move that the path be tarred and sanded.” Mr. Ellisdon: "We cannot afford that; it is no use humbugging people until we get a loan for footpaths; we cannot do anything.” After some discussion on the merits of patching the potholes, the council agreed to accept the engineer’s suggestion.

METHODIST MEETINGS

PAPATOETOE The annual public meeting of the Papatoetoe Methodist Church was held on Tuesday evening, when there was a large attendance of members. The balance sheet submitted showed a credit on the year’s work. Mr. Wesley Firth, secretary of the trust, in the annual report, showed the activities of the church to be in a very satisfactory condition. Mention was made of the need of additions to the present building, to cope with the increased activities of the church, and also the losses the church had sustained through removal of members from the district. During the evening an enjoyable musical programme was submitted by the following: Vocal solos, Master Neville Haddock and Mr. Foxcroft; quartet, Mr. and Mrs. J. Sanderson, Mr. W. Sanderson and Mr. L. Kendall male quartet, Messrs Sanderson (2), H.” Elder and L. Kendall; dialogues, Miss Haddock and Miss McKenzie. FLAT BUSH A very successful benefit concert, to raise funds for the Flat Bush Methodist Church, was held in the East Tamaki Hall last evening, when a pierrot concert party, consisting of members of the Papatoetoe Methodist Church, organised by Mr. J. Sanderson, paid a visit to that district, and rendered a first-class programme, which was much enjoyed by the large audience. Th© programme submitted included solos, duets and quartets rendered by Mrs. J. Sanderson, Misses K. Bryant, M. Sanderson, M. Bryant, Messrs. J. Sanderson, H. Elder, L. Kendall and W. Sanderson.

PAPATOETOE TOWN BOARD

WORK PROGRESS

The Papatoetoe Town Board met on Tuesday evening. The foreman reported the cutting of grass on various side streets, and general maintenance work in the district.

The works committee reported on the work o| tarring footpaths, and os its

recommendation, it was decided to link up Station Road and Kolmar Road, with the Great South Road with bitumen. The dedication of the roads on Daisley’s subdivision was accepted. The manager of the Passenger Transport Company is to be notified of the need of proper destination signs, properly displayed, on buses trading in the Papatoetoe district. In reply to a complaint from the board, regarding the unsatisfactory state of dual control roads, the engineer of the Manukau County Council wrote, advising that such road be divided traversely, and each body take full control of its own portion of the thoroughfare. It was decided to agree to the recommendation as submitted. The traffic inspector submitted a number of recommended alterations to the motor regulations, and these will be communicated to the department in Wellington. As instructed, the ranger of the district submitted a report of his activities for the last three months, and it was decided to dispense with his services, and appoint the Manukau County ranger to patrol the district. Notice wras received of the forniatiop of the Papatoetoe Welfare League, and its intention to send delegates to attend board meetings. It was decided that Monday, December 5, be the day to commence the annual “clean-up week.”

BIRKENHEAD COUNCIL

WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED The Birkenhead Council met last evening, the Mayor, Mr. E. G. Skeates, presiding. The Auckland Harbour Board wrote that it could not see its way to alter its previous decision in regard to the road reserve and the old reclamation area. The council decided to accept the lease of the reclamation area on the board’s terms for 48 years at an annual rental of £5, but not to take over the road dedication, as the council did not want the responsibility of the maintenance of the stone-wall embankment.

The Public Works Department notified that Ministerial approval had been obtained for a subsidy of 50 per cent, on labour costs, based on relief rates of pay up to £ 106, for the unemployment relief work at the liinemoa Park, adjacent to the Birkenhead Wharf. The council estimate for this work is £4OO. The town clerk said he had 19 married and 13 single men on the unemployment list, and it was decided to proceed with the work. The waterworks engineer reported that for uhe month ended November 30 the quantity of water pumped was 3,648,000 gallons. It had been necessary to work overtime at the pumping station during the month to keep the water supply up. The Waitemata County engineer wrote suggesting that the borough should share one-half of the cost of any work undertaken on the length of road between the end of the bitumen portion and Calliope Road, a distance of approximately 10 chains. The town clerk reported that it was very difficult to trace the boundary, and it was left to him to interview the Waitemata County and the Valuation Department before going further into the matter. It was resolved that the traffic inspector be appointed as special constable for the duration of his engagement.

Two building permits valued at £766 were passed.