PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 161, 9 July 1926, Page 5

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

TAURANGA.

The Harbour Board decided to vote £2 2/ to the Bay of Plenty Development League, and the chairman and Mr. J. G. Green were appointed delegates to the next meeting of the league. The engineer? were authorised to carry ont a re-survey of the Stella Channel, and the berthage at the town wharf, with instructions to report the result as early as possible. On the motion of Mr. C. E. Macmillan, M.P the following resolution was carried : —"That, it having been reported to the board delegates visiting Wellington, that the railway departmental officers intend to recommend to the Minister that the Mount Maunganri-Te Maunga section of the railway be taken up, this board enters an emphatic protest against this being done." At the annual meeting of the fire brigade it was stated that in the bi-weekly medal competition, Fireman A. Stewart * secured first place, with Firemen Bickers, Cambie, W. Padlie and Griffiths next In that order, nil winning medals presented to the brigade. Tbo. secretary, Fireman Snowden, was reelected and appointed foreman. PORTLAND. The 'monthly meeting of thp Welfare League's Management Committee was held in the hall on Wednesday evening. It was resolved to hold a horticultural and industrial how, and a special meeting is to be held to make further arrangements. The sum of £35 was voted, towards buying tho necessary instruments for the Portland Band. The Portland Juniors have won the B graile of the Whangar<M Rugby Union's competition, and are to play o.T with Towai, winners of the A section, for the cup. TE AWAMTTTTJ. Thp Mayor. Mr. L. G. Armstrong, who is at present in Wellington on borough business, telegraphed the chairman of the Finance Committee yesterday that he had been successful In his negotiations with the A.M.P. Society in raising the balance of the streets improvement loan, £15.000, at 5} per cent. Practically the whole of the works staff has been thrown out of employment for some weeks owing to difficulty in raising this amount, but n. .■/ the work will be proceeded with. FAPAKURA. PAPAKURA BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY/. The Management Committee of the Papakura Beautifying Society met last evening, Mr. Percy Holt presiding. An offer was received from Messrs Penman and Jefferys to erect wings to the cemetery gates, as per plan, at a cost of £35. As funds in hand were practically earmarked, Mr. Willis offered to donate £10 to the potiety and collect the balance if the society would donate £10. It was resolved that Mr. Willis' offer be accepted with thanks, and that the contractors be asked to complete the work a≤ soon as possible. The wings being completed, the Papakura Town Board will be asked to alter the fence and repair the footpath. Mr. Butterworth suggested that groups of graves be formed and tnat residents be asked to keep them in order. On a suggestion by Mr. Willis, it was agreed that prizes be given each year for the best kept garden of street frontage, entrants to be subscribers to the society of not less than 5/ per year.

An offer by Mr. Slack to give the free ! use of Stanley Hall and provide music for I a dance in aid of the fund was gratefully accepted. Mr. Holt reported that tree planting in several streets had been carried out. Mr. . W. Rhind had donated the timber for guards \ for same. Improvement work was nearly com- ' pleted in Papakura. Mr. Holt handed in a cheque or £10 ror the same, so that this work will cost the society nothing. WHAKATANE. The bachelors' ball at Awakeri last Friday evening proved a very successful function. There were about 50 couples present. The music was played by Steele's orchestra: Mr. Steele (piano), Mr. Thorburn (violin), Mr. Woods (cornet), Mr. Clark (drums). The question of tree planting with the object of providing poles for the Bay of Plenty Power Board was mentioned by Mr. F. Burt at the meeting of the Power Board. It was resolved that a report on the subject be obtained. A deputation consisting of Messrs. J. W. Sumner, W. A. McCracken and E. F. YVitthams is at present in Wellington waiting on the Minister of Lands In connection vrith Rangitaiki drainage matters. The question of using British goods in the Bay of Plenty Power Board scheme was discussed at the Power Board meeting on Monday. The chairman said he would like the materials used to be British. On Mr. Fleming's sugcestion it was resolved that preference be given to British materials up to 10 per cent of the tenders for foreign materials.

OTOROHANGA.

The County Council adopted the following general rates on the unimproved value : Honikiwi. 15-16ths of Id; Mangao-rongo, 3d; Te Rau-a-Moa, ljd: Waipa, Id: Wharepapa, 11-16 d ! and a hospital rate of Id over the whole county. A deputation of Wharepuhung asettlers waited on the council with reference to the metalling of five miles of the XgaramaTe Kawa Road. The sum of £500 was available, and they had asked for a £3 for £1 subsidy. This would give a metalled road to either Te Kawa or Te Awamutii. The chairman said they had to raise £J. 500 and. with the £500 available, that would make £2000. It was decided that tenders be deferred until the loan money was available. A deputation of Xgutanui Road settlers urged the council to push on the proposals for metalling the "J miles of road to give a through metalled road from Kawa railway station to Kawhia. The county engineer said that application had been made for a £4 for £1 subsidy, as a £2 for £1 subsidy was utterly inadequate. They would not be likely to know the result until Parliament reached the Estimates. Mr. Symes said that if the Main Highways Board would not do anything in the matter the people of Kawhia County would be unable to use the N'gutaniii Road. The chairman said that if the reply of the Main Highways Board was unfavourable he thought they should have a meeting of ratepayers. It was decided to write to the two members of Parliament for the districts interested regarding the amount of subsidy required. The chairman and the county engineer were appointed to represent the county at any conference to be arranged.