ANNUAL MEETING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32713, 15 May 1946, Page 12

ANNUAL MEETING

SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION WHANGAMATA AFFAIR'S QUESTION OF GOODS SHED SITE The annual meeting of the Whangamata Settlers’ Association was held in the Whangamata schoolroom, there being a good attendance. Several matters of importance to the district were the subject of profitable discussion. Mr P. Williamson was unanimously re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. Eulogistic references were made to the excellent services rendered to the association by him over a period of some 25 years. ‘Mr P. Phillips was re-elected .secretary for a third term of office. The meeting was unanimously of the opinion that the services rendered by Mr Phillips to- the association in his capacity as secretary were of such a high and efficient standard that his office would, in the event of his. refusing election, be difficult to fill. The resignation of Mr Clarke owing to ill-health was received with regret. Site of Goods Shed

A lengthy discussion was centred on a letter received from the Thames County Council regarding the removal ■of the goods shed at present located on the main road adjacent to the Whangamata Post Office. 'While the Whangamata Ratepayers’ Association desired the shed to be shifted to the port area, the Whangamata Settlers’, Association were firmly of the opinion that the shed should remain on the present site. The Thames Council' suggested that "the two associations should meet together and discuss the whole matter, with a view ro reaching a decision of mutual satisfaction to.both parties.

The secretary, Mr Phillips stated that he had interviewed the chairman of the Ratepayers’ Association, who intimated that there was nothing that he desired to discuss with the Settlers’ Association.

The chairman, Mr Williamson, briefly outlined the history of the shed which was built by a free Government grant many years ago, in response to an appeal from/the settlers for a goods shed on the wharf. When the boat traffic was replaced by road transport the shed was. moved from the wharf to its present central site. Its removal to the port, Mr Williamson contended, could fulfil no useful purpose while a goods shed at the Post Office corner was of paramount importance to the settlers.

(Mr Martin pointed out that the shed in the first place was built for the convenience of the producing fraternity of the district and could only continue to serve that purpose by remaining on the present site.

A complaint was lodged by Mrs Kennedy, postmistress of Whangamata, that quite a quantity of various types of goods were from, time to time being dumped on the verandah of the residential post office and did, particularly at Christmas time impose considerable worry and inconvenience. It was decided* to write ■to the district carriers requesting that other than postal goods be left in the goods shed provided for the purpose.

Mr Bentley referred to a road survey that had been made through the centre of both his own and Mr G. Douglas’ properties, and asked the association to support his objection. The matter was deferred pending further enquiry.

Mr Martin asked the association’s support in a request to the Thames Council. for necessary repairs to be made to the Wentworth Valley road'. It was decided to ask the Thames County Council to give\ serious consideration to the improving of the Port Domain which had been swept by the recent fires and which had burnt out the scrub, offering a suitable opportunity to . affect improvements at a considerably reduced cost. Cenotaph at Opoutere

The suggestion. of Mr Liddell that a suitable structure in keeping with the beautiful surroundings of the Opoutere Native school grounds be erected to serve the purpose of a Cenotaph was approved. The meeting was of the opinion that the present. wooden cross which had served for over a quarter of a century, left something to be desired. It was decided to appoint a committee consisting of Messrs P. Williamson, L. Martin, R. -Barton and O. P. Liddell whose, duty it would be to recommend a suitable structure to be submitted with the estimated cost to the next meeting of the Association. 'On the motion of Mr Liddell it was decided to support the application of Mt Norman Watts, returned serviceman to the Rehabilitation Board for financial assisance in establishing a district farm machinery unit.