COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 308, 29 December 1922, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

HAURAKI PLAINS. The Kihere school beld a picnic on Wednesday, and a social and dance in the evenIng. On Thursday the Kerepeehi and Waitakaniru schools had picnics and prize glvings, each child receiving a prize. Turna Iβ rapidly growing into a fair sized town. Messrs. Bagnall Bros.' block of town sections are being opened up and roaded, and already a number of the sections have been sold. Building operations are more active, and besides new residences a large new hall is contemplated. Plans to provide for extensions to the Ngatea school, and for the provision of a secondary department are said to be now well in band. It is understood that Iβ doubtful if the secondary department will be completed in time for use in February. Tbe Turna and Netherton districts are now using the electric light supplied by the Thames Valley Power Board. It Iβ expected that. Ngatea will be connected up shortly after the holidays are over.

TE AROHA. Among the -flsitors this week is Mr. J. tMorHier, an Inspector of Schools. Toronto, Canada. He i» spending a year in Te educationists between the Governments of Canada and Sew Zealand. The Te Aroha branch of St. John Ambulance Association has been notified that every candidate β-esented for examination had qualified to render first aid to tbe Injured Mr. George Stewart presided at the monthly meeting of the Klstuw Drainage •Board. The chief drainage engineer. Department of Lande, notified be woun be glad to meet a delegation from the Board relative to the dredgin/ of tbe Awaltl Stream. The engineer reported he had conferred with Mr. M. H. Wynyard on Te Awaltl drainage, who considered tbe Department's proposed scheme of improvement too ' eowtly at £62.000. lie (the engineer) thought the Boar* should make an inspection at an early date before coming to a declcion. Members approved tbe suggestion, and considered an impost of £2 per acre on the new country would not be unreasonable, bnt this rate would be too heavy for Improved lands that are already rated. The Department ot Internal Affaire advised that tbe election at a new Hoard of seven members would not take effect until November, 1923.