A SOLID TOWN.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1938, Page 11

A SOLID TOWN.

CARTERTON’S GROWTH AND PROGRESS. BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. THRIVING ORGANISATIONS OF MANY KINDS. (“Times-Age” Special.) Although the most loyal of the citizens of Carterton would not claim the growth of the township has approached anything like the rapid expansion of some more recently established centres on the Main Trunk, there never has been any doubt of the town’s .solidity and steady progress. Carterton has recently celebrated its jubilee as a borough but there are clubs and organisations with headquarters in the town which are far longer established than even the Borough. The Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Society, which is well past its 60th year, is very long established, and Mr L. H. Smart, the secretary of the society has been over 20 years in office. The Carterton Racing Club, formerly the Taratahi-Carterton Racing Club, held its first meeting in the vicinity of 60 years ago, and Mr J. B. Bairstow, the present secretary of the, club, has been in office some 37 years. The Wairarapa Trotting Club also has its headquarters in Carterton. A transfer was made from Greytown some years ago. Mr H. Mortenson, of Carterton, has been secretary for the club for several years. THE DAIRY COMPANIES. Carterton has been fortunate in having' a group of cheese factories within easy distance of the town, and every year many thousands of pounds are paid out to suppliers and this is reflected in the returns of practically every business. The Taratahi Dairy Company, Limited, was the first factory started, and eventually it was converted into a Co-operative organisation. The 'Dalefield Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, which has completed over 51 years of business, was actually the district’s first co-op- . erative factory, and the benefits to the suppliers were so evident that the Belvedere, Parkvale, and Carrington factories followed. All have served their respective districts well and assisted the dairying industry to reach its present importance. Mr C. H. Bar- ' her,- who is secretary of this group of factories,', has fifled that position since 1923. In order to save the cartage of milk over long distances, another group of factories was established to the southeast of’ Carterton, and here again the principle of co-operation has resulted in the complete success of the Ahiaruhe, Kokotau, and Waihakeke factories. Mr L. H. Smart has been secretary of these factories since they commenced operations. Another very old-established busi-ness-'-is- the flour mill of Wakelin 8r05.,-Ltd., which has gained an enviable, reputation for the quality of its products and serves the needs of the agricultural farmers over a very wide area.

SPORTS ORGANISATIONS. In sport, the town has always taken a prominent place, and the headquarters of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union have been in Carterton for well over a quarter of a century, while the Carterton Football Club is really years older than the Borough. Old established cricket and tennis clubs provide recreation for many in the district, and the bowling green is a popular rendezvous of enthusiasts. The Wairarapa Miniature Rifle Club has-its headquarters in the town, and one of the most active clubs under its jurisdiction is the Carterton Oddfellows’ Miniature Rifle Club. Both bodies for many years have had the guiding hand of Mr C. J. De Lacey in the capacity of hon secretary. The Wairarapa South County, which includes a large area of land extending to the East Coast has its headquarters in Carterton, and the County Clerk, Mr E. T. Beaven, was appointed to the position in 1927. ■ Another prominent organisation, the Wairarapa Electric Power Board, whose activities spread throughout the Wairarapa Valley, has its head office in Carterton, although it has branches in all the other towns of the district. The Borough Council has an efficient gasworks. It is noteworthy that there are two bacon factories in Carterton wni.'h cater for customers many miles distant, and the district’s importance' as a dairying centre probably is the reason of no similar businesses being'started in neighbouring towns of the Wairarapa,

BUSY STOCK MARKETS. • Carterton is also fortunate in having a weekly stock sale, and it is an admitted fact that the local sale is the best in the district for dairy farmers, whether they are vendors, or are on the look-out to replenish their herds with quality animals. Dealers and growers of pigs also regard the Carterton sale as the obvious market place to offer animals for sale.

Another tribute to the principles of co-operation is given by the Wairarapa Terminating Building Society, which was established in 1905. In the No. 1 Group, just winding up, no less than £64,865/5/- has been advanced by way of loans to members, and practically al! of this amount has been repaid. Over £3200 has been distributed to shareholders by way of profits. The No. 2 Group, established in 1926, has now reached a most interesting stage in its development, as with repayments and subscriptions of members reaching q, very large sum, fortnightly appropriations are now available, as frequently as the most enthusiastic shareholder would desire, and will become steadily more frequent as time goes on. SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL WORK. In educational facilities, Carterton is now better served than ever previously. The new school is fully occupied and at the present time the brick school in South Carterton and also the old wooden school are still being used to accommodate the increased attendances. Many of the country school children are now being conveyed into Carterton and the scholars' are receiving the advantage of teachers being available for each class instead of one teacher handling the whole school, as was the case in some of the country schools. Where secondary instruction is concerned many parents prefer that ihcir children remain at school in thenhome town. The Convent School aLo provides for the education of a proportion of the community. Town and country children have the privilege of Dental Clinic treatment,

the nurse’s headquarters being a central position in the new school grounds. The school children’s athletic requirements are well catered for and in the summer the school has the privilege of using the up-to-date Municipal Baths. These are 50 yards long by 25 yards wide, and in size they are larger than many baths in inland towns. An enthusiastic Swimming Club is established in the town. A virile branch of the Plunket Society has been operating in Carterton since 1922. Several of the committee have been actively associated with the branch since its inception. - The Carterton Volunteer Fire Brigade is an old and very live body, and the efficiency of the members in fire-fighting has been made manifest on numerous occasions. The Brigade has also achieved considerable prominence at demonstrations, and rhe trophies and prizes won show clearly the enthusiasm of the volunteers, who make the work a labour of love. For a town of the size of Carterton, the fire fighting equipment of the Brigade is decidedly creditable. Branches of all the prominent Friendly Societies are soundly established in the town, and several celebraia.l their jubilees some lime ago. The St. Mark’s Lodge (Masonic) is also one of the old identities in the district. All of the churches are represented, including the Salvation Army, also the Christian Science movement. It will be realised that Carterton has many advantages enjoyed by larger towns, and yet receives valuable financial support from the rich farming areas in the near vicinity. What is still needed to assist the progress and development of .the town is the establishment of a number of industries.