Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 301, 12 March 1928, Page 12

Province and Suburb

(From THB SUN'B Correspondent*J

HELPING UNEMPLOYED RELIEF WORK AT THAMES Twenty-four unemployed men left Thames on Saturday to work on the Tapu-Coroglen Road, under the Public Works Department. Another six men will be dispatched to-morrow. Mr. T. W. Rhodes, M.P., has also been advised by the Minister of Public Works that a request for the placing of other unemployed men is being urgently considered. HAURAKI ROADS COUNCIL FAVOURS GRAVEL A report on the comparative costs of surface sealing against loose surface methods of maintaining the roads of the Hauraki Plains was submitted to the county council by its engineer, Mr. F. Basham, on Thursday. The cost of maintaining the loose surface as at present, to a standard safe for increasing motor traffic, was estimated at £345 a mile per annum, whereas the cost of surface sealing the existing road was an initial expenditure of at least £ 1,000 a mile to bring them into a condition and shape to receive a surface seal, and then £ 430 for the first year’s work and £IOO a year thereafter for annual maintenance. Averaging this over three years at £270 per annum, and adding interest at 7 per cent, on the £I.OOO initial cost, makes a total of £340 a mile per annum. There was thus very little apparent difference, but the sealing would have the advantage of providing for a 200 per cent, increase in motor traffic and a very considerable saving in running expenses of motorvehicles. It was decided to continue the pressent policy of maintaining the roads with gravel and to ascertain what highways subsidy would be granted for reconditioning for sealing. OHINEMURI AFFAIRS Advice has been received by the Mayor of Paeroa (Mr. W. Marshall) that the Hon. R. A. Wright, Minister of Education, will visit the Paeroa District High School on Tuesday, March 20. A reception will be given to the Minister. A large quantity of basic slag is finding its way into the Paeroa district, ex the Home steamers. On Friday morning the Paeroa-Auckland steamer Taniwha brought to Paeroa 30 tons, and there is a further 70 tons to arrive at Paeroa next week. At a meeting of the executive of the Ohinemuri Jockey Club, held this week, it was decided to donate a 25-guinea watch to the trainer of the winning horse in the St. Patrick’s Handicap. Capt. W. Searle, officer in charge of the local Salvation Army, left Paeroa for Auckland to-day, where he will enter a private hospital for an operation. Referring to unemployment at the Waikino Old Boys’ Association on Wednesday, Mr. H. M. Corbett, chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council, statc/i that his council had placed before those in authority the claims of the Ohinemuri district for relief workers. RAETIHI NEWS The general executive of the Raetihi Rose and Carnation Show met at the vicarage last week to consider the report and balance-sheet. The Rev. J. H. Datson presided. Mr. D. P. Scarfe in presenting the report stated that the result was considerably in advance of that of last year. The rose and carnation show was only £ 4 behind the net result of the competitions, and reflected great credit on the secretary, Mr. Lionel Fagg, and the members of the Ladies’ Guild. The vicar, in thanking the executive for their support, complimented them on the results achieved, and paid eulogistic references to the work of the joint secretaries, Messrs. Scarfe and Fagg. Mr. W. Jackson, who is taking up residence in Auckland, was farewelled at a social. Mr. W. Ash well, on behalf of those present, handed Mr. Jackson a pipe, and referred to the great assistance Mr. Jackson had been to the various sports bodies. Mr. Jackson suitably replied. TAUHEI DRAINAGE BOARD An election to fill a vacancy on the Tauhei Drainage Board resulted: —Mr. J. Smith, 33; Mrs. I. B. Harris, 20.

TAURANGA HARBOUR BOARD The Tauranga Harbour Board met on Thursday, Mr. Grant, chairman, presiding. A request from the secretary of the Railway Celebration Committee for the board to decorate their building and also have it illuminated at night was referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act. Messrs. Grant and Mends were elected to represent the board at the annual meeting of the Bay of Plenty Development League, to be held at Whakatane in April. Mr. Andrews, agent for the Northern Steamship Company, waited on the board and asked them to reduce their charges on inward and outward goods, so as to meet railway competition. It was decided to defer the matter until the next meeting of the board OTOROHANGA GOLF CLUB The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Otorohanga Golf Club held on Wednesday. Patron, Mr. J. C. Rollestor. M.P.; president, Mr. D. W. Selbie (reelected) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. : Alexander, Simms, Fry and Morley; secretary, Mr. Cox; captain. Mr. S. 4. Fortescue: ladies’ captain, Miss Lawson; handicappers, Mr. Fortescue and Miss Mfl Lawson; green superintendent, Mr. Francis; committee, Messrs. Whyte, Merrin, Trapski and Mrs. Smith and Miss Jtf. Kerr. The opening day was fixed for March 24. The links are in excellent condition for the coming season’s activities. PIRONGIA SOCIETY With the object of forming a Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society, an enthusiastic meeting of young men took place at Pirongia, Mr. J. T. Johnson presiding. He briefly referred to the work to be undertaken by such a society, after which the following officers were elected:—President, Mr. J. T. Johnson; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. S. Yeates; hon. reporter. Mr. E. Anderson. Meetings are to be held fortnightly, commencing on Tuesday, March 20. The subject chosen for the first debate is “Is Mr. Sidey’s Summer Time Bill Beneficial to the Public?” A NORTHCOTE FUNCTION A Paddy’s Market for the purpose of raisins funds for equipping the children’s area in the Stafford Park reserve was held in the grounds of the Northcote Hotel on Saturday. In the evening an enjoyable dance was held, music being supplied by a local jazz band. During the afternoon the Birkenhead Borough Band played a series of selections, which were greatly enjoyed by patrons HAURAKI COUNTY COUNCIL The Hauraki Plains County Council met at Ngatea on Thursday, Mr. E. L. Walton presiding. The county engineer, Mr. F. Basham, reported that the metalling of the Pekapeka Road section of the main highway was completed, the metalling of Moehau Road, Pipiroa, was almost completed, and good progress was being made with the gravelling of the Kaihere-Torehape Road. The old main road, Netherton, had been scarified where necessary and rolled in readiness to receive red metal. The treasurer, Mr. E. A. Mahoney, reported that current rates were coming in freely, the total for the month being £270 19s 2d and over £I,OOO had been paid since March 1. The Puriri Ratepayers’ Association advised that it had been decided to proceed with a local water supply scheme, and it had been suggested that it might be advantageous to extend the proposed scheme to the Huirau Road and Turua districts of the Plains County. Cr. Madgwick reported that the matter would be discussed by the settlers concerned at a meeting shortly. The Farmers’ Veterinary Club wrote urging the council to again consider the advisability of establishing abattoirs within the county. Should this not be supported, it was suggested as an alternative that all stock should be driven to established abattoirs for slaughter. Councillors agreed that it was very desirable to have all meat inspected, but were of opinion the district was

not sufficiently advanced to incur cost of establishing abattoirs. *** The Government inspector of Thames, advised that he would** 1 operate with the counciFs nor! 00 ' weeds inspector, who had a war*?* under the Act which gave him??* necessary authority to proceed with* 1 * reference to the department. uso ®t Councillors expressed the that all the inspectors should SS more severely than in the past ”*** The council supported the tainover by the settlers of the draiiuSJr** the Hauraki Plains West district ** offered no objection to the constituti** 1 of a drainage board. It was decided to again urge on Piako County the early conimencemSS of the Maukoro Bridge and to sue»S that the Public Works Department 1 offer to do the work be accepted. r * MINISTERS IN RAGLAN The Hon. K. S. Williams. Miniate of Public Works, and the Hon. a rf McLeod, Minister of Lands, will vi*i the Raglan and Franklin electoral on departmental business this monti The visit will cover eight days and tht itinerary embraces a start from Pana kura on Monday, March 19. The party hopes to be in Hunti* about March 24. nuy HAMILTON COUNCIL ELECTION NECESSARY Mr. C. J- W. Barton is a candidate for the vacant seat on the Hamilton Borough Council, caused by the re. signation of Mr. P. T. Field. Mr Barton has served as town clerk and Mayor, and he was for many years a member of the council. As there are two nominations for the vacant seat, an election will be held. Mr. F. H. Clapliam is the other candidate. DARGAVILLE MASONS ST. GEORGE’S JUBILEE The jubilee of St. George’s Lodge, 1801, E.C., was celebrated in Dargaville on Friday, in conjunction with the installation of Wor. Bro. J. F. Booth as W.M. A very large number of visiting brethren from over a wide area was present. The lodge was established in 1878 through the efforts of Messrs. F. Norton, W. B. Buckhurst, Jas. McMullen, Henry Wyatt, W. A. Spiers, J. M. Dargaville, W. H. Long and Jas. Brown, all members of the Masonic craft. The initial meeting for the purpose of having the lodge formed took place in 1T77, and on February 25, 1878, a further meeting was held and a requisition was sent to the Grand Lodge of England for a charter. This recommendation was sponsored by Lodge Waitemata 689, E.C., and on Wednesday June 19, 1878, the lodge was consecrated. The ceremony was conducted by Bros. M. J. Xjeers, D.D.G.M., G. H. Powley, acting-D.S.G.W., and W. MacKune. acting-D.J.G.W. Bro. J. M. Dargaville was installed as first Worshipful Master, and the following were the first joining members: Bros. R. A Dargaville, G. H. Powley, F. Norton, Dan McLeod, W. B. Jackson, R. Mitchelson, W. A. Spiers, W. B. Buckhurst, and H. Wyatt. The first initiates were MessiV Archer, Vousden, E. Mitchelson (now Sir Edwin). W. Marriner, Ludlow, and T .B. Hawkins. Bros. Mitchelson and Powley are the only surviving members of those initiated. In 1888 W. Bro. J. M. Dargaville presented a section for a lodge site. In the same year the Foresters’ Hall (the lodge meeting place) was destroyed by fire, and the contents, including the lodge charter regalia, etc., were lost. A new hall was built on a fresh site given by W. Bro. J. M. Dargaville. The lodge was consecrated on March 7, 1890. The lodge steadily increased its membership and to-day is one of the largest working under the constitution of the Grand Lodge of England in the Auckland Province. Lodge St. George, although working under a different constitution, has always worked in the interests of the craft in general on the Northern Wairoa River, and two New Zealand Lodges, Hobson 120 and Pono 203, both owe their inception to members originally belonging to St. George. The good feeling that exists among Freemasons in this district was amply demonstrated by the large assemblage of brethren from throughout the district. The ceremonies were duly carried out by R. W. Bro. A. S. Bankart, D.G.MWor. Bro. C. H. Jenkins, P.D.B.G.P. (installing Master), and Wor. Bro. W. w. Daw, D.G.S., assisted by other worshipful brethren of Lodge St. George and sitser lodges. A banquet was held* the evening, when the usual toas".s honoured, congratulations offered ana a musical programme rendered.