UNIQUE EVENT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4321, 23 August 1950, Page 8

UNIQUE EVENT

SETTLERS WELCOMED

WHANGAPOUA BLOCK

GATHERING AT COROMANDEL

A unique event took place in St. George’s hall, Coromandel, on Friday, August 18, when a public welcome was extended to -the new settlers at Whangapoua in the form of a social and dance.

Sponsored by the local R.S.A. and business people the function was an outstanding success, both socially and in numbers. The attendance of residents of Coromandel and surrounding district was most representative and the floor was really too crowded for comfortable dancing. However, this did not damp the enthusiam shown by everyone, and dancing continued well into the early hours. A special bus brought the guests over from Whangapoua and a warm welcome was extended to them. Juss before supper the county chairman, Mir E. Deeble, spoke on behalf of the people of Coromandel and the Peninsula generally. He said: “As chairman of the county council I have great pleasure in welcoming the guests of honour and would like to congratulate the business people and the R.S.A. for their fine gesture in introducing the guests to us all. On behalf of the Coromandel people I extend a cordial welcome to the new settlers of Whangapoua to our midst. This function tonight will create a friendI ship between the people and those who come amongst us. It is a gesture that has been handed down from the pioneers, when the newcomers to the district were made welcome;

“We hope,” continued Mr Deeble, ’’that your association with us will be a happy one and that success will be irours in your work.” He then referred to the difficult position the county council was in with regard to the roads to the new settlement. Before the Government took the block of land for development the rates the council/received from it amounted' to £305. - Today they were only £165 and the council had to try and maintain the road from Coromandel to Whangapoua for £165 a year. It was a great handicap, but with recently let for 400 yard-s of metal to go on the road some improvement should result and it was the intention of ths council to approach the Government for more assistance to promote more congenial conditions for the new settlers.

The council, said Mr Deeble, had spent about £l5OO in order to facilitate the settlement of the Whangapoua block. Most of that went in reconstructing bridges. In addition £5OO was paid out towards a new road to get metal out from the quarry at Kuaotunu. In order to assist the settlers in getting their stock in or out the council 'was also arranging to provide a holding paddock on property recently acquired at the foot of the hill on the Coromandel side. That should prove an asset when cattle were being brought in to the sales. He concluded by thanking the sponsors of the function for the opportunity of welcoming the guests to the town.

Mr A. J. potman, president of the R.S.A., extended a hearty welcome to the returned men and their families. He said he was very pleased to hear they were joining up with the association at Coromandel and he invited them to call on the R.S.A. if any help was required in any way.

Mr Laird, president of the Thames R.S.A., welcomed the guests, of the new settlement. He said they would be able to get out to work and get the road metalled by spending a few shillings on it. He congratulated the R.S.A. on acquiring the half which was a good building to house the R.S.A. and its activities.

Mr A. S. Tonkin, president of the chamber of commerce, extended a welcome on behalf of the chamber and business people of Coromandel. “In anticipation of making a few remarks tonight I have studied the 1897 goldmining reports and this number of new settlers coming into our midst all at once is the greatest influx into Coromandel since Legg found gold in the Peninsula.

• “We, as business people, are pleaded with this influx. We want more population, particularly farmers. “Although the county chairman did not actually say so in words, we are very pleased at. having a new bunch of ratepayers and potential customers which will a H help towards making greater facilities in this small community. We welcome you to join in

the social life of the community and hope that your ventures on the land will be successful.”

Mr Tankard replied on behalf of the ex-servicemen and their wives from Whangapoua and thanked those responsible for the very hearty welcome and spontaneous expressions of goodwill. “Most of us,” he said, “have been waiting for farms for a good l while and we are very happy to settle on our own piece of land. We have no doubts as to the ultimate success. It will be a struggle for awhile, but we have every hope that our district of Whangapoua will. be one of the most productive in Coromandel Peninsula. We hope to be loyal citizens and thank the people for their warm welto their midst.

Three cheers were given for the new settlers.

Mr Tonkin concluded by thanking the women’s section for their help in the way of supper, which was a very great contribution to everyone’s pleasure.

A very tasty supper was served and everyone did justice to the good things provided. Music for the dancing was supplied by Mrs D. Stewart and Mr W. Hart, asisted by Miss T. Browne and Mr Hans Browne (saxophones). Mr A. G. McNeil capably carried out the duties of M.C.

A Monte Carlo waltz was won by Miss J. Scott and M. Cusack and a spot waltz was won by Mr M. Strongman and partner l .