Untitled

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 203, 2 December 1920, Page 1

The question of metalling the Pukcturua, Waotu, and Ovcrdalc roads was then discussed with Mr. Bent, as the councillor concerned,. In reply to questions. Mr Shannon said the cost of metalling such as that on the Tirau end of the Tirau-Cambridgc road, 1 would be about £I4OO per mile at present. His opinion was that presently prices would drop, and he thought it would be best to defer the carrying out of a comprehensive scheme until then; but in the meantime the, scheme should be completed ready for putting into operation. Also, the County Council at present had about £IO,OOO in Government grants to expend, for which all the plans and specifications had to be prepared before March .'list next. Mr. C. G. Alcorn, the actingchairman of the Board, replied that \nitli" the ever-increasing traffic it would be impossible to endure another winter without improved main roads in this district. In regard to the Pukcturua road, Mr. Bent stated that it was imperative that before being metalled, this road should be diverted around Pearson's Hill. This was one of the foremost matters which he intended to deal with as a councillor. Also, when the Government had decided to proceed with the Arapuni scheme, it would doubtless be willing to grant a substantial subsidy towards metalling this road. In reply to a question, Mr. Shannon stated that doubtless the Government would grant subsidies towards the cost of metalling the roads mentioned. After further discussion, Mr. Shannon agreed to prepare an estimate as soon as possible of the cost of metalling all the roads mentioned, and to obtain the other particulars necessary for the holding of a poll on the question of raising a loan to carry out the scheme.

It is understood that Mr J. West has sold his farm on the LichficltlTokoroa road to Mr W. Cole, who was previously farming- at Tokoroa, and sold out some months ago. In regard to the proposal of the. Putaruru District Development Board for concrete main roads for the district, a leading cement manufacturer advised the executive of the board at its last meeting that the prospects that the cement works would be running at full capacity again in six months' time was now brighter than some weeks ago, as it now appeared that the northern coal mine which was to supply the principal works with coal would probably be giving a sufficient output by then. The yield of butler-fat in the Putaruru district this season is proving phenomenal, this being due partly to the season having been so far an excellent one for dairying, and partly to the general progress ,'of the district. The progress-payment cheques for butter-fat issued on the 20th of last month were records in amount as far as most, if not all, of the local farmers were concerned, the amount of butter-fat supplied having been very large, as stated, and the rate of progress payment, 2*. per lb, being greater than any previous full payment. Even heifers are stated to ! have given a return for the month of as much as £3 10s per head, reckoning the total payment to be 2s Gil per Jb butter-fat.

A meeting of the committee of the Putaruru Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club was held on Wednesday evening of last week. The members present were Mr S. J. Parker, in the chair, Mrs W. Ibbotson, Miss E. R. Alcorn, secretary, Mr L. M. Nichlin and Mr J. R. O. Lochhcad. A roller inspected by Mr S. McGowan, a former resdent op Putaruru, on behalf of the club and recommended by him Mas ordered at a price of approximately £ls, and it was resolved to thank Mr McGowan for his services in inspecting the various rollers in Auckland offered to the club in response to its advertisement for one. Two new members were elected, one for bowls and one for croquet ,