COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 95, 22 April 1922, Page 14

COUNTRY NEWS.

TE AROHA.

OHAKTJKB l '..• j The raiufall for March was 0.1 inches. The liou. .1. G. Coutes is paying au official visit to the town on Friday next. He will be banqueted by the Borough Council in the evening, and receive deputation ou public matters during the day. The Ilangataua sports ou Easter Monday attracted the largest attendance an yet recorded in that township to any sports gathering. There were Targe entries In all sections, and the various events all were spiritedly contested. The member for the electorate. Mr. R. \\. Smith. M.P.. whs present. The champion chop was won by .1. I». O'SnlUvan; the time being T.TT 4-5. In the eveulng a ball was held In-the Town Hall, which was largely attended. The Olmknue Band provided music for the day's outing.

The football season starts on'Saturdav ue.tt. when three junior and three senior matches are scheduled.

A cricket match was played at Junction on Easter Monday between a team from Tail-ape and one representative of Ruapebu. Taihape were all disposed of for !>". Ann Unspent) following on with 1»6. In their second innings Taihape .knocked up _:>.4 for the loss of eight wickets. The match ended in a draw.

The local Oddfellows* Lodge have iiist had' n visit from a distinguished, member of the craft, in the person of Bro. John McLeod, of Auckland, who was accompanied by Mrs. McLeod. The distinguished visitor was tendered- a social in the Patriotic Hall in the evening, at which there was a large attendance, visiting brethren coming from Raetibi.

Pelham' aud Larsen's mill at Rangataua. though closing down, will still supply timber orders. The mill is not to-be shifted to a new location.

The Piako County Quarry has appointed Mr. W. Dunstan manager of the metal quarry at Gordon.

' At the annual meeting of the "W.iihou branch• of- the Farmers' Union Mr. H. O. Cooper was elected president for the ensuing year. Mr. Cooper was also appointed delegate mt the meeting of district representatives to consider the choice of a candidate for the Ohinemuri seat in the forthcoming general election.

Mr. G. Stewart occupied the chair at the fourth annual meeting of the Elstow branch of the Farmers' Union. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £33 3/6. The election ot, officers resulted as follows:—President. Mr. W. A. Clark: vice-president, Mr. G. Stewart: secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. Davey: subprovincial- delegate, Mr. G. W. Horn; auditor. Mr. H. W. Blackford.

At a meeting or the District War Memorial Committee Mr. H Jackson presided. The chairman explained that delay had been occasioned through the contributions not being sufficiently large for a tender being accepted. About £1000 is in hand, while further promised contributions total £500. It was decided to approve Mr. D. B. Patterson's design for a memorial in marble or granite, and to invite fresh tenders for the work.

Mr. F. W. Walters presided at the monthly meeting of the Piako-County Council. In the matter of the Te Aroha Borough Council and road repairs it was decided that a committee be set up to confer with the latter Council. Cr. Walters was appointed to represent the Council at a meeting of the Thames Valley Drainage Reference Board, which 's to meet the Minister of Public Works. Reference .was made to a part of the WardvlHe Road being lmnassable for heavy traffic, it being stated that althoucb the Gordon quarry would soon be turning out quantities of metal for the Piako portion of the road, dairymen would still be unable' to get their milk to the Waharoa factory.. Cr. Orr gave reasons for delavlng matters in the meantime. The chairman ,?, h £ Proposed taking the Minister of iPublic Works along the Piako-Ohinemuri ™unty boundary at Sprlng.ale. and by road .from Te Aroha to Morrinsvillp. also to IMangateparu. Th P Clerk stated that of a total of £23 000 rates, the sum of £16.800 Tiad be?n paid by March 31« ft last. He also intimated that an additional £13 000 was available from the Public Trust Office for concrete and other road works