DISTRICT NEWS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4318, 16 September 1921, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

TURUA.

PROGRESSIVE SPORTS BODY. ("Gazette” Staff Reporter.) There is on the Hauraki Plains a most energetic and progressive sports body. It is known as the Hauraki Plains Athletic and Sports Club, and has its headquarters a.t Turua. It is an exceptionally Hye and keen body of sporting enthusiasts, who have organised to promote all kinds of sport and recreation on .the Plains. Ijt was inaugurated only this year, and has already done a Considerable amount of useful work. Through its efforts a boxing class has been organised, and a series of dances, which have proved to be very popular, have been held under its auspices.

Representatives of the boxing class gave exhibitions last Monday night in “no decision” bouts. There were seven contests,. which consisted of three* •two-minute rounds. Schoolboys h.ave been initiated to the art of selfdefence, and two of these pupils gave a very creditable performance on Monday evening. That there is some very good talent among the older members of the classes was exhibited in the remaining bouts, which were all fought out in a clean and sportsmanlike manner and conducted under the proper lines. A collection was taken up for the recreation fund. The dances organised by this club have proved so popular tint at a recent ball the hall was more than fully taxed to accommodate all the patrons. Since that occasion the club members have thought ft advisable to build a larger hall, and it is understood that they have already moved in that direction.

This club held a very successful sports gathering last March, and intends holding another during the coming summer, when both chopping and foot events will be part of the programme. It is the indention of the club to set aside a large area of ground, which will be kept for the sole purpose of sport and recreation. All “sports—cricket, football, tennis, and bowling —will be catered for, A band ,ro ■ tunda will also be erected. With a body such as this in the place Turua should soon become a very popularresort for the sporting fraternity. “It is our endeavour to make Turua the best little place in New Zealand,” said a Turua. man who is interested in the affairs of the town, to a “Gazette” representative recently, "so that on Saturday afternoons and on holidays the Thames people can come over -here and enjoy themselves.” PROPOSED TOWN BOARD. Besides having an extensive and ambitious scheme for a large recreation area, the Turua peopl.e are in hopes of soon being under the governing authority of a town board, as a result of the commission which sat there recently, as reported in the “Gazeette.” A strong board could be formed frjom among the Turua people, who intend to make the town more reputable. “When the present disreputable buildings fall down, we will see that only respectable ones are, erected,” said a Turua gentleman during- an interview recently. “The wharf is not a credit to the place,” Ke continued, “'and it is no.t safe.”

CONCRETE ROADS. The 'townspeople held a meeting recently with regard to the construction of concrete roads in the Turua Riding. The meeting was attended by the chairman, Cr. J. C. Miller, and Cr. W. G. Hayward, of the Hauraki Plains County Council. The discussion centred on the reading question, and the meeting elected Messrs G. McMillan, P. Henry, and Madgwick as a committee to obtain all information regarding the advisability ofi constructing concrete roads within the riding. It is understood that the committee will go to Auckland to interview Mr Bush, the city engineer, and later go on to Taranaki. There are approximately 12 miles of roads in the Turua Riding. There is at present one stretch of concrete road, seven chains long and 18 feet wide 1 . It was put -down by a private man as a test about four years, ago. A recent; committee meeting was attended by Mr Wilson, of the Wilson’s, Portland Cement Co. BOY SCOUT PATROL. Several boys of the Turua Boy Scout Patrol are looking forward to spending part of their Christmas holidays in the district camp, which, it is expected, will be held in Paeroa about. Christmas time.

The Turua patrol is as yet only 10 strong, only 7 possessing uniforms, but the patrol was formed only a year ago. The boys, however, are very enthusiastic over their work, and they meet every Mondoy, when Mr Mitchell, who is in charge, puts the boys through their drill. The patrol is-at present completing registration with the Dominion Boy Scouts’ Association. LARGER SCHOOL WANTED.

The usual complaint in a growing centre is tha,t the school is too small, and the position in Turua is no exception. About two years ago additions were made to .the school, because it was too small. Education facilities have again become inadequate. The school, which was built to accommodate 114 children, is often over-taxed with more than 160. There is an average attendance of about 140. The school committee, in the face of these facts, has approached 'the Education Board, to have further additions made. This committee is an energetic and capable one, and the members have spent a considerable amount of time improving the grounds. Through the committeemen’s efforts the horse paddock has been supplied with improved facilities, and a permanent concrete culvert has replaced the old wooden bridge, thus giving the paddock a much better entrance. The workers have also formed an experimental plot, where it is proposed to grow roots of lucerne. It is also intended to do a little and to extend the asphalting. The school has already been provided with a good sports ground. Through the courtesy of Mr F.

Olsen, picture proprietor, an entertainment will be held shortly, in order to supplement the funds for the ground improvements. WAITAKARURU. FARMERS’ UNION MEETING. At a meeting of the Waitakaruru Farmers’ Union a motion w,as passed regretting the Waikato Dairy Company’s attitude in refusing to meet the Union when requested, and protesting against the charges made for well-boring. The Auckland Provincial Executive was congratulated on the amount of valuable ,and instructive correspondence submitted to the Union. It was decided to make a request for a daily, mail service. In conclusion Mr C. W. Harris (chairman) urged upon the members the necessity for further efforts to push the branch ahead. NGATEA PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT VETERINARY SURGEON. There is every possibility of a veterinary surgeon being obtained for the Ngatea district for a reasonable sum. A Ngatea settler has knowledge of a qualified man at present in Morrinsville who map possibly be tempted to accept the office. It would certainly be in the interests of the' district if such a person could be obtained. This matter will be. a subject for discussion the next Farmers’ Union meeting. HERD-TESTING ASSOCIATION. A committee, formed at Ngatea tcattend to the interests of the milk suppliers to the Ngatea factory, has been instrumental in forming a herdtesting association, so that all suppliers to that factory may have their cows tested.