"COPPER TRAIL."

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 91, 18 July 1918, Page 2

"COPPER TRAIL."

Council Discusses Campaign! Two Ridings not In. At the Matamata County council meeting on Friday the scheme as propounded by Mr C. L. Bickford for the raising of funds from the county for the " Copper Trail " campaign was discussed. The chairman stated that since last meeting the organiser had been in the district, and since an executive had been formed consisting of the riding members, chairman of Matamata Town board and the engineer. The appeal was being made throughout the province, and he thought it was the duties of the councillors to support the scheme. There was no more worthy cause than the Red Cross. An assessment had since been made on the riding basis —this was the only feasible means —and it now appeared that Matamata had the best of it. The more scattered a district was the more difficult it was to work. Patetere was going on with the scheme, and in both districts mentioned queen carnivals were being organised. Cr. A. Potts said Maungatautari and Taotaoroa had decided to go in with Cambridge, as being its town. Members expressed the opinion that the county amount should be reduced by the sum which it was computed those two ridings should pay. Also that the county was assessed too high in proportion to the amount asked of other counties. Mr Barnett said the organiser did not visit Putaruru, and people there knew very little of the scheme. A public meeting had been called at which he (the speaker) stated that ho could take no active part in the campaign. He had, however, stated that he would subscribe. Two delegates had been chosen to attend the meeting at Tirau. He did not know whether they had attended. Most of the settlers at Putaruru were working under difficulties, and it took them all their time to make things meet. Mr Stopford : Their position is better than the Belgian farmers. Cr. Barnett: Quite so. My hands are pretty full, and I would like someone else to do something. I would be willing to subscribe to a Tirau queen. The chairman: You cannot. Cr. Stopford suggested that another meeting be called and the chairman invited to attend, when a committee could be elected. Cr. Barnett: I will do my very best to get a good meeting in the district if the chairman will set the ball ajolling. I would also like him to bring others. Cr. Stopford: I will go with the chairman, and doubtless Mr Price will go also. Cr. Pohlen said the Matamata riding had taken up the matter enthusiastically, and nearly bad its campaign ready. It was decided to hold a meeting at Putaruru as suggested. Cr. Stopford stated that he proposed to publish the list of the names of ratepayers of his-special area, and the amounts they have donated, with a —if they have not contributed, in'the "Record." It was finally resolved to start the campaign on Monday, 17th, as formally arranged.