PATEA NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 292, 19 May 1915, Page 3

PATEA NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent). Patea seems at last to be awakening to the fact that to progress it must not look only at tlie present but prepare for Hie future. When this town was the I'dhvay terminus things did move, but directly the line went through Patea became dead. Lack of unanimity among the business section of the community was one of the main reasons for tho stagnation that has existed. Patea lost its opportunity and it has taken years for the inhabitants to realise this truism. At last a dim ray of hope has loomed on tho horizon. A 'harbor scheme, entailing the expenditure of £S(i,OOO, a water and drainage and an auxiliary electric lighting plant, which will absorb a sum of £16,000, are being started. The Chamber of Commerce, a recent revival, tan do good work in providing some attraction for country people. What better than a market day? 'flic rec<mtly-erected freezing works are a great asset. During the coming winter n. sum of £14,000 is to be spent in erecting a new freezing chamber and procuring now machinery, etc. At present the works are not working at their full capacity, as the present freezers arc full up, awaiting the shipping space that has been so long -promised. In all probability the season for beef will not cease until August, which should mrfke I the season of 1915 a record one for the J company.

The river bank opposite the railway is now the scene of great activity. Besses punt-building for the harbor works, a gang of about twenty men are engaged in constructing the septic tank for the sewerage works. The settling tank for the water supply is almost completed, and when the pumping machinery arrives that will "Co finished off. The work of laying the pipes for the drainage has been started, awl will soon be in full swing. (All along the main streets pipes? both spiral and cement, are being stacked, and in about twelve months' time Patea will have put its greatest foot forward in completing the most pressing need of the present day—a sanitary drainage system, with an abundant supply of fresh water.

A tender has been lot for the harbor works, and a start will lie made almost immediately. After the moles liave been erected there will not be much left of tbe loan to procure a dredge, ete. However, tlie ratepayers will no doubt sanction more if tliey want the port to lie safe for navigation. With tlve expenditure of over £IOO,OOO on public works the coming winter should be a prosperous one for this town. In addition, there are several houses to be built on the land recently sold by tlie Council. These sections were sold on condition that a residence was commenced within six months. The trees are now being chopped down and soon a nice row of up-to-date residences will grace that portion of the town. The borough is well endowed with land, and the Council is endeavoring to lease it to tlie best advantage. Should they adopt a prudent policy by giving a good tenure the supply should not exteed the demand. Some months ago tlie municipality entered into the moving picture business to try and make the new Town Hall a paying concern. Now they have accept-

Ed an offer of £0 per week for thejlall, and the new management will take possession at the end of the month.

Last week a recruiting demonstration was held hece, and at the conclusion

about a dozen handed in their names. The following have received notice to entrain on the 20th inst.:—M. Clarke, V. Horrocks, E. C. Fitzwater, h. ,T. Hall, 1). I'. O'Neill, IT. iSouthcombe, A. n. Ward. T. M. 15. Williams, J. Dick, and •I. 13. Taylor, of llurleyville. A movement is on foot to give the local boys a send-ofT worthy of the cause and occasion.