KEREPEEHI RATEPAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4987, 14 June 1926, Page 2

KEREPEEHI RATEPAYERS.

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the Kerepeehi Ratepayers and Citizens Association was held in the hall ou Thursday evening, Mr H. D. J.amieson presiding over an attendance of eight. Cr. A. S. Fisher was present by invitation. The balance-sheet showed that there were 12 financial members. Tiie balance brought forward was 7/2, and the credit balance, after paying for printing, hall hire, etc., was 2d. Officers appointed tfOr the year were: President, Mr Jamieson; secretar, Mr W. Booth; committee, Messrs A. J. Innes, P. Pearce, W- E - Chick, H. Hoff, W. Shilton, C. Loving, and C. Pearce. The secretary, Mr W. Booth, said that while the association had not been very active during the past year it had justified its existence. The association was the proper body to deal with local matters, and its services were always available to push the welfare of the district. It was no use settlers crying out “stinking fish ” ; a district was what the settlers made it. It was perhaps due to lack of organisation in the township that the Wharepoa ferry had closed.

Several members commented on the necessity for activity in the direction of gettting a post office and a bridge over the river at Ngarua. It was suggested that Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P.. be invited to visit Kerepeehi and be shown the needs of the locality. Matters to be presented to him would included tiie opening of nearby Crown lands, the roading of the township, the Ngayua bridge, and the necessity tor a post office. A motion to that effect was carried, a,nd Messrs Jamieson and Booth and Cr. Fisher were deputed to show him round.

Discussion wandered to many subjects, and incidentally the county main roading scheme cam© in for favourable comment provided the Puhanga Canal was deleted in favour of the road across, the Kerepeehi block, and the proposed bridges over the Awaiti canal and the Piako River at Ngarua.

Cr. Fisher supported having the road through the township ma.de a charge on the whole county, but did not agree that the Puhanga canal road should be absolutely deleted from the scheme.

The advisability of having the County Council take over the payment of two of the township street lights, in accordance with its decision to pay for two street lights in ea,ch riding was brought to the notice c/f Cr. Fisher by Mr Hoff, who pointed out that the voluntary subscriptions were coming in very slowly. Cr. Fisher stated that he would do his best to get the council to take over the light at the Kerepeehi corner and at the wharf. Mr Jamieson asked the position in regard to Pckapeka Road, and Cr. Fisher advocated that the settlers discuss the advisability of raising a loan to complete the metalling. It was necessary to get moving as quickly as possible so that the other road would not have to carry too much winter traffic. In view of the lack of settlers on Wairau Rba.d he was of opinion that greater subsidies should be

granted. Mr Jamieson said that he did not think settlers would ever vote for a loan for the Wairau Road. If the Highway Board desired the road it should do the work and charge the cost to the county.

The necessity for an early commencement of the Paeron.-Pokeno railway was mentioned, and it was agreed that the matter be brought before the member for the district.