Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 490, 20 October 1928, Page 12

Province and Suburb

(From THE SUN'S Correspondents).

PAPATOETOE WELFARE LEAGUE Mr. J. Browne, president of the Fapatoetoe Welfare League, presided at the monthly meeting on Wednesday evening. Colonel Closey explained the new constitution of the league, which will enable all residents, whether ratepayers or not, to become members, and will help the league in its efforts, to procure for the district more up-to-date facilities. Colonel Closey was thanked for the address, and on the motion of Messrs F. C. Thomas and Chamberlain, it was decided to approve of the new constitution. TAURANGA FIRE BRIGADE The fire brigade’s monthly run for medals took place on Tuesday evening and resulted: Fireman W. Griffiths, 1; Fireman H. Bickers, 2; Fireman H. Hartnett, 3. Eight competed. The brigade will be represented in the competitions at Rotorua on Labour Bay. The team for the Cup will be: Firemen J. Bowney, F. Bickers, A. Griffiths and J. Griffin. Open events: Supt. Padlie, Firemen W. Padlie and H. Hartnett. WAIHI PRESENTATION On the eve of his departure to America Mr. Robert Joughin was given a farewell on Thursday. Mr. J. H. G. Banks, superintendent of the Waihi Goldming Company’s battery, paid a tribute to the guest of honour. After wishing Mr. Joughin and his wife and family a pleasant trip and success in their new home, Mr. Banks then handed Mr. Joughin a gold fountain J. Murray, J. B. Beech, C. B. Harper and J. Lockington also expressed their regret at Mr. Joughin’s departure. Mr. Joughin suitably replied. NORTHCOTE BUS FARES A variation of transport fares and sections is being sought by the Waitemata Bus and Transport Company. Advice was received to this effect by the Northcote Borough Council at its last meeting. Cr. A. T. Munns made a vigorous protest against the application. He stated that the concrete paving scheme in Queen Street was carried on the assumption that fares would be reduced. The then manager of the company, Mr. E. J. Fraser, had stated at,a public meeting in connection with the loan proposals that such would be the case. This had been done, but almost immediately the concrete paving had been completed it was proposed to revert back to the old fares, a slight concession only being made in the twelve-trip concession card. He thought the council was justified in appointing a member to appear before the licensing authority and to resist the application. Cr. E. J. Fraser said that he did not make a definite statement regarding the lowering of fares. However, this had been effected, but owing to the extra cost entailed by insurance and petrol tax the reversion to fbrmer fares was inevitable. Cr. F. Wilson also agreed with this view of the matter. The Mayor, Mr. A- E. Greenslade, was of the opinion the council could not do anything in the matter and moved that the communication be received. His motion was carried, Cr. A. T. Munn dissenting. MORRINSVILLE INTERESTS The annual meeting in connection with the Kereone Public Hall was held this week. The balance-sheet disclosed that the receipts for the year were £l3O and expenditure £95 19s 9d. The bank overdraft had been - reduced from £lsl 13s to £llß Os 9d. Assets were given as £6lO. • * • The Morrinsville Methodist Church is celebrating its 25th birthday this week. Semi-jubilee services have been conducted by the Rev. S. Griffiths, of Auckland, and large congregations have assembled. At an evening conversazione Mr. Griffiths, who was the first preacher in the church, and the Rev. J. Bright recounted interesting reminiscences of the early days. A tribute was paid to the late Mr. and Mrs. W. Shepherd Allen (parents of the Administrator of Samoa, Col. S. S. Allen) for their early work and hospitality, and to Mr. A. G. Best, who has the distinction of being the only original trustee still in active membership of the Morrinsville Church. * * • At a meeting of the Morrinsville A. and P. Association it was decided to hold the annual show on Wednesday, March 13. Mr. G. Irvine was selected to receive one of the two Royal Show privileges offered to the association. The schedule committee was appointed as follows:—Messrs. W. J. Aitken, P. S. Philpott, J. Gaddes, J. McNaughton, F. J. Marshall, G. Horie, Saxon, F. Goodwin, N. Scott and H. Miller. The secretary reported that the association had a debit at the bank of £25. * * * Owing to the transfer of Mr. A. W. Swap, relieving postmaster to Northern Wairoa, Mr. E. E. Hirst, postmaster, Tirau, has been transferred to Morrinsville temporarily. Mr. C. H. Redhead, golf course architect, has been on a visit to Morrinsville at the request of the (Jolf Club and will submit a report on the course.

BOMBAY-KARAKA * RATEPAYERS At the sixth annual meeting of the Opaheke-Bombay-Karaka Ratepayers’ Association held at Bombay last evening:. Mr. R. Armiger presided over a good attendance. Also present were: Mr. J. N. Massey, Franklin Countv Council chairman, Mr. H. J. Flay, Drury Riding re presen tative, Mr. J. Dean, Franklin Electric-Power Board chairman and member for the Mercer Riding, and officials of the council. The report stated, that during the year representations were made to the Railway Department upon the subject of the lighting £f the Drury station, with the result that the installation of electric light had been completed. The association was gratified with the definite steps being taken by the County Council in regard to the constructing of the Great South Road in a permanent material. Unanimous decisions were reached supporting the council in its protest against the inequitable system of levying the Auckland Hospital Board fees and the legalising of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Maintenance Bill. Officers elected were: President, Mr. R. Armiger; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. H. Waterhouse, G. Ingram and F. Lund on; secretaries, Messrs. V. C. Cooper and S. D. Collins; treasurer, Mr. Cooper; auditor, Mr. M. J. Maxwell; executive, Messrs. 11. Peoples, W. J. Brooks, E. Fielding (Drury), L. Leach, R. Johnson (Runciman), D. A. Bingley. A. C. Lambie (Opaheke), S. Dufty (Tuhimata), W. J. D. Sharp, W. J. Rutherford (Rama Rama), A. Maitland, J. B. McKinney and IL J. Flay (Bombay). Speaking in connection with the hospital levy, Mr. Massey said all were unanimous that the rural ratepayers’ burden was too high when compared with the benefits received. For a number of years the council had been* endeavouring to obtain relief for the farming community, but so far had failed, and the levy had increased. “We have not finished with it yet,” added Mr. Massey, “and I hope at some future date to be able to take the matter up with the authorities, and if I cannot succeed, it will not be for want of effort.” HAMILTON NEWS In connection with Boys’ Week about 200 boys from various schools in Hamilton visited the Ruakura Government experimental farm yesterday under the charge of Mr. H. H. Clark. On arrival at Ruakura the boys were divided into squads under the charge of the students, and conducted over the farm, where the many interesting features of up-to-date farm management were explained. The boys found the visit instructive and interesting. + * • The Combined Breeders’ and Auctioneers’ Association met yesterday, the chairman, Mr. A. Clement, presiding. It was decided to hold the next female pedigree sale on May 29, 1929, and the bull sale on Wednesday and Thursday of the first week in October, 1929. Considerable discussion centred round the proposed erection of a permanent selling pavilion at the Claudelands showgrounds. It was decided to erect the suggested building, and to call a public meeting to discuss ways and means of meeting the cost. A further motion was passed recommending the appointment of a committee to inquire into the details of a suitable building, and to appoint an architect to draw up preliminary plans and specifications. ROTORUA NOTES A meeting for the purpose of forming a branch of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association was held at Rotorua on Thursday evening. There was a large attendance. Dr. H. Bertram presided. It was decided that a branch of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association be formed for the purpose of forwarding the interests of true temperance and safeguarding the rights of the moderate sectio nas between the -sxtremes of prohibition and continuance, and that a committee be formed for this object. A convening committee was elected to arrange for a further meeting. Mr. L. C. Ryan agreed to act as hon. secretary pro tem. * • * The Empire forestry delegates, accompanied by Mr. A. Seed (of the Dominion Federated Sawmillers' Association), Mr. A. R. Entrican (fengineer in forest products in. New Zealand), Major F. M. Oliphant (of the Forest Research Laboratory, England), Mr. J. Richardson (trade representative of Great Britain), and Mr. -W. A. Robertson (Conservator of Foiests, Burma) visited YMr. W. Steele’s timber mill at Mamaku on Thursday. * * * Mr. Pini Haupapa was elected to rep resent Ngatiwhakakaue on the Avawa Trust Board. HAURAKI PLAINS NOTES Following the decision of Mr. A. J. Innes agreeing to the requests of the settlers of Kerepeehi to replace the public hall which was destroyed by fire, a public meeting last week decided that the balance of the fund collected for a public hall site should be deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank and that an application should be made to the Valuation Department for a reduction in the valuation of the public hall site. The balance of the public piano fund will be similarly placed at interest as the piano was burned with the hall on the night the £75 insurance policy expired, notice of the lapsing of the policy not having been received from the insurance company.

With the possibility of having to utilise pumps to augment the gravity drainage of the Hauraki Plains West Drainage District, members of the board are investigating suitable machinery and the running costs. It is thought that an internal combustion engine would be a cheaper proposition than electricity as pumping is only required at odd Intervals, but may be necessary at the Power Board’s peak load hours when electricity is expensive. Already the board has inspected several plants, including a pump recently installed near Kerepeehi for the Elstow Drainage Board.

The suggested water supply scheme for the Netherton-Awaiti district was discussed at a public meeting this week as objections to the constitution of the district had been received on account of settlers learning that the scheme drawn up by them would not be satisfactory and that the scheme submitted by the county, engineer and approved by the Public Works Department would be more costly. Mr. E. E. county chairman. in detailing the formal procedure to be followed, mentioned that at the earliest it would be the autumn of next season before the water became available. Mr. F. Basham, county engineer, explained that, assuming a subsidy of £1 for £4 was received, a loan of £5,600 would be required for the reticulation of the 5,200 acres suggested and for the necessary plant to pump from the Waihou River. If the Local Government Loans Board allowed 20 years for the repayment of the loan the rate would be 2d or a charge for the first year of £3 2s 6d an acre and 3s 1.4 d for succeeding years. A resolution approving the scheme was carried, and as the district was not fully represented It was decided that the County Council take a postal referendum on the advisability of the proposal before the council proceeded further

Members ot the Netherton Drainage Board, accompanied by Messrs. E. Taylor, Government lands drainage engineer, and O. G. Thornton, resident engineer. Public Works Department, inspected the Awaiti end of the drainage district last week, and investigated a scheme for utilising a sum of Government money for draining and protecting the locality from water from other districts. A thorough examination was made of the area bounding the Elstow Drainage District, and much information of value to the board was given by Mr. Taylor. Alternative routes for a suggested cut-off drain were discussed, and finally it was agreed that the Lands Drainage Department be asked to make a trial survey and tests along the edge of a terrace on Wani’s land.