Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 313, 26 March 1928, Page 12

Province and Suburb

(From THE BUN’B Correspondent*J

OHURA COAL SUPPUES QUESTION OF FREIGHT It costs 8s 2d to land a ton of coal from the new Ohura mine in Taumarunui, the nearest large market. This is only a little less 'than the Government Railways charge on a ton of coal from Huntly. In an endeavour to have this position relieved, the Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce is working in conjunction with the coal companies with the object of obtaining a through freight on the coal to all stations on the Main Trunk line. The Ohura railway is at present under the jurisdiction of the Public "Works Department, and the Minister is to be approached on the matter of granting a through freight. SHEEP-DOG TRIALS OPOTIKI CLUB MEETING The annual meeting of the Bay of Plenty Sheep Dog Trial Club was held on Saturday night. The election of officers resulted: Patrons, Hon. K. S. Williams. M.P., Hon. J. B. Gow, Messrs. G. S. Moody, F. W. Reid, T. Hendry, P. C. R. Purcell, R. Porter, J. O'Sullivan; president, Mr. C. McKenzie; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. Black, W. G. Butler, A. Brae, A. Davies, J. M. Butler; committee, Messrs. G. S. Moody, W. Burrett, C. W. Reid, C. Black, W. A. Smith, M. Roberts, V. Smart, A. Reid, C. Shaw, A. Horton, G. Gordon, A. Gordon, W. Pratt and T. Urquhart: secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. T. Clark; hon. auditor, Mr. T. H. Pearson; timekeepers,- Messrs. M. Butler, T. Urquhart, NEWS FROM WAIHI Twenty-four members of the Taranaki bowling team, now on tour, visited Waihi on Friday, and were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr. W. M. Wallnutt). The president of the local bowling club also extended a hearty welcome on behalf of the members. In a friendly six-rink match with Waihi and Waikino, the visitors ran out winners by 15 points, the aggregate scores being Taranaki 125, Waihi 110. The visitors were subsequently the guests of the Waihi Club at a dinner. * * * The first passenger train to travel from Waihi to Tauranga passed through on Saturday, carrying a large crowd of racing enthusiasts, bound for the Tauranga races. Starting from Frankton Junction at 6 a.m., and picking up passengers en route, the train was comfortably filled on its arrival at Waihi. At Waihi 130 passengers boarded the train, making in all 520 bound for Tauranga. TE MATA SETTLERS Settlers from the Te Mata district met the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. K. S. Williams, and the Minister of Lands, the Plon. A. D. McLeod, on Saturday and asked for a grant for metalling the Te MataKawhia Road. Mr. Williams said he would place tho request before the Loans Board. He would endeavour to have the Te Mata-Raglan Road declared a main highway. With regard to a request for a daily mail service for Te Mata, the Minister said he would consult the Post-master-General. Mr. McLeod agreed with the settlers’ views that the period in which loans on backblacks £oads should be repaid should be extended. The attention of the Ministers was drawn to the condition of the Matokowhai Road, which was said to be in a shocking condition. Mr. Williams said he would have a report prepared regarding the road and would then consider the settlers’ request for a grant.

NORTHERN LOCAL BODIES WHANGAREI MEETING Anomalies regarding the incidence of heavy traffic, population, mileages of metalled road and relative costs of maintenance were discussed at a meeting of delegates from local bodies, comprising the No. 3 Heavy Traffic Licence District, which met at Whangarei on Saturday. The Kamo town district, having become independent of the county during the period of the past agreement, it was recommended to that body to apply to the county for a portion of last year's fees. Mr. J. H. Reich, Kamo, submitted that incidence of traffic as well as metalling of roads should be taken into account.

The Hikurangi delegate said his board was dissatisfied with its allocation of 3J per cent., and Mr. C. L. Grange. Whangarei Borough, said the Borough Council also thought its proportion was unfair, but it was prepared to take th© share agreed upon by the other^. Mr. H. C. Hemphill, Whangarei County, suggested that the mileage of the main roads through Hikurangi and Kamo should be considered as doubled, and that allocation then be made on a basis of 50 per cent, on metalled reads and 50 per cent, on population. Mr. Grange moved that the basis be county, 59 per cent.; borough, 35 per cent.; Hikurangi, 3£ per cent.; and Kamo 2J per cent. On the representatives of the two The Kamo town district, having behill pointed out that the county spent £47,000 a year on metalled roads, and Hikurangi and Kamo not more than £6OO. The proposed allocation was adopted on the casting vote of the chairman. KAIKOHE NOTES The Kaikohe Bowling Club held a very successful “Paddy’s Market” on Wednesday. The stall holders Mesdames A. W. Edwards, sen.. A. P. Leigh, T. McCready and W. J. Worthington and Miss Routley, ably assisted by a bevy of charming young ladies, were kept busy dispensing their wares, and promoting competitions. The unsold goods were auctioned by Mr. Fitch in his usual characteristic style. The club’s finances will benefit to the extent of about £ 40. The results in the fat stock classes for the Waimatenui Settlers’ Cup are in favour of Mr. J. H. Orr. The prizewinners in the weight guessing competition are: Fat Cow, Correct weight 4741 b., Messrs. J. Routley 4751 b. and R. Allen 4731 b were equal and have agreed to divide the prizes. Fat sheep, Correct weight 89Jib, was correctly guessed by ;Miss McKenzie. NORTHCOTE AFFAIRS A local association of Girl Guides has been formed for the districts of Nortlicote, Birkenhead and Birkdale. The district commissioner, Mrs. R. Usher, attended a meeting, and explained the new scheme of organisation under which each district would have its own local association, executive and badge committee. The officers elected were:--Presi-dent, Mrs. E. G. Skeates (Mayoress of Birkenhead); vice-president, Mrs. A. E. Greenslade (Mayoress of Northcote); secretary, Mrs. F, H. Eades (Northcote); executive, Mesdames A. E. Wood (Northcote), E. Gilfillan (Birkenhead) and E. C. Walton Birkdale; badge committee, Miss Willis (Northcote), Miss Helen Taylor (Birkenhead) and Mrs. C. Croll (Birkdale). Mrs. Usher congratulated the district on its forward step, and outlined a programme of activities for the new combination. * * * The Birkenhead Miniature Rifle Club is finding difficulty in carrying on, owing to a large number of members leaving the district or resigning.

The club decided at its annual meeting to carry on till the end of April, in the hope that some new members will join. Should they not do so, the club, which has been flourishing for 13 years, will have to wind up its affairs.