PUTARURU.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 203, 2 December 1920, Page 4

PUTARURU.

THE GOOD ROADS MOVEMENT.

The movement for good roads in the Putaruru district was further considered on Saturday last, when a conference between the executive of the Development Board and the two ncwlyeloctcd County Councilors for the district, Messrs. J. West and R. A. Bent, was held to further consider the matter. At the special request of the executive the County Engineer (Mr. P. Shannon) also attended. The question of metalling the Putaruru-Lich-field road as far as Leslie Bros.' corner was first discussed. Mr. H. W. Bullock stated that the settlers along this road were willing that their land should be specially rated for a loan for the work, but it was also thought that those beyond, namely, the Tokoroa settlers, should also contribute, though, of course, not so heavily as those directly benefited. Mr. West stated that, although he and perhaps one or two other settlers in the near portion of the Tokoroa district, would be willing to so contribute, he thought the majority of the Tokoroa settlers would be unwilling, as they regarded the Maractai station on the T.T.T. line, and not the Putaruru station, as their railway centre. They themselves mostly travelled by rail to there, and thus they hardly used this road to Putaruru at all. Also, they could not pay heavy railage rates, and be taxed heavily for roads, too. Mr. Bullock replied that settlers from the Tokoroa district were on this road to Putaruru every day. For one thing, they had to take stock in anil out via this road. He thought it might meet the position if the property along that portion of the road to be metalled was rated for two-thirds of the loan, and that beyond was rated for one-third. It was explained that this would mean two separate special-rating areas. After further discussion, Mr. West agreed to recommend this proposal to the Tokoroa settlers.

I While proceeding from Putaruru to To Whetu one day last week a light car, containing four or five persons, capsized over the edge of the road. It is understood that two of the occupants—two young ladies—jumped out as the car commenced to capsize, but the others were carried over with it. However, although the driver was pinned underneath the vehicle for some time, no one was hurt. The wind I screen and splashboard of the car | were damaged somewhat. Government surveyors are at present engaged on a large block of land eastward of the Tapapa road, Putaa'uru, and to which a by-road through Mr T. D. White's farm, on the Tapapa road, gives access. It is understood that the surveyors arc cutting the block into sections for settlement by discharged soldiers, whose outlet will be to Putaruru via the by-road mentioned. Information as to the exact area of the block is not available, but it is stated that it is about six miles long and would probably contain at least 10,000 acres. The work of grading the Putaruru end of the Putaruru-Tirau road is at present in progress. The job is being done by Mr. M. Henderson, and as this piece of road was in a very bad state, being the worst piece between Putaruru and Hamilton, the improvement will be very welcome. It is understood that the portion of the I Puketurua road along Worth Bros.' I frontage is shortly to be metalled, a deposit of shingle having been found nearby, and there being a grant avail- | able for work on this road. Being low-lying, this portion of road was also very badly cut up'last winter, but if metalled it should prove quite satisfactory next winter. f While rabbit-shooting with a pearifle during last week, a young man named Mr. R. Bergquist, an employee in the T.T.T. Company's yards, had the misfortune to accidentally shoot j himself through the foot. He was on the bank of the Oraka creek at the time, about a quarter of a mile from the Putaruru boardinghouse, where he is residing. With assistance he quickly reached the boardinghouse, where the injury was attended to by Dr. .T. Pcrrett Millington. His examination proved that no bones had been broken, and no sinews severed, though the bullet had gone right through the foot. '

TAUIM) RAILWAY COMMISSION. The Taupo-Toturn Railway Commission concluded its sittings at Wellington this week. DEVELOPMENT BOARD'S WISHES It was reported at the last 1 meeting of the executive of the Putaruru District Development Hoard thai a request for permission for the Board to have a representative at the closing sittings of the Commission had been made, and the permission granted, but it proved too late to make the necessary arrangements. The following telegram had then been sent to the chairman of the Commission, having been drafted by an emergency meeting of the available members of the executive:—" We regret that our representative is unable to reach Wellington in lime, but trust, that nothing will prevent the Government taking over the line, extending it to Taupe and running it as a light line, as at present, with Government freight rales. Should such a disaster for the district occur as the Government not taking over the line, wholly or in part, we suggest that the Commission insist thai in return for any fresh concessions granted the company, it be made an absolute condilion that the railway be extended to Taupo within a definite period; that the. goods for settlors be carried at Government rates; and that the necessary facilities to cope with this traffic be provided by the company forthwith.' Also, the Board would suggest that the settlors' representative should be consulted as to the details and conditions before they were' finally agreed upon. The settlers never contemplated elaborate expenditure to make the line up to Government standard, as would appear from the evidence given by the Chief Engineer of the Railway Department." To this telegram the chairman of the Commission replied that due consideration would be given to the suggestions contained therein.

A vote of appreciation of the full hearing given by the Commission to the local witnesses was carried by acclamation, special mention being made of the fact that though elderly men, and one an invalid at the time, the Commission had continued its Putaruru sittings until late at night in order to hear all the. evidence ottering. The meeting also, passed a vote of thanks to the local residents who gave the use of their "cars to take the commission around the district. Mr. H. W. Bullock stated that rumours had been'circulated locally that there was no chance of the Government taking over the line. However, he would like to emphatically point out that by its Order-of-Rcfercnco, the Commission could disclose its finding to the Governor-General only, and thus there could bo no substantial foundation for these rumours. DEVELOPMENT BOARD. A meeting of the executive of the Putaruru District Development Board was held on Wednesday evening of last week. The members present were: Messrs. C. G. Alcorn (in the chair), 11. 'W. Bullock, F. C. Flyger, E. J. Darby, W. J. Lilley, D. D. Sneddon, and Portas. TOWN WATER SUPPLY. Thr6ugh 'Mr. F. F. Hockly, M.P. for the district, the Hon. W. F. Masscy, as Minister for Railways, advised that if the residents of Putaruru collected the necessary initial ,dnla, had the preliminary survey nfade, and would bear the whole cost of extending the railway water-supply service at Putaruru, to the whole of the township, tlic Department would be prepared to consider the extension. Advice was also received that Mr. Hockly and the -representative of the owners of the Putaruru Hotel would shortly be in Putaruru, when this -matter could be discussed with them. Accordingly, this was onadc one of the principal items to be discussed with Mr. Hockly on this occasion. NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS. Tt was decided to thank Mr. Hockly for bis work in assisting to secure legislation giving leaseholders of national endowments the opportunity of securing the freehold. COURT SITTINGS. The Minister for Justice wrote thai be would get a report on the suggestion by the Board for monthly sittings of the Magistrate's Court at Putaruru, also that the , nominations by the Board for the appointment of Justices of the Peace for the Putaruru district had been referred lo Mi-. Hockly. The meeting decided to request Mr. Hockly to confirm these nominations. THE ARAPUNA SCHEME.

In reply to the Board, the Auckland Chamber of Commerce advised that flic Arapuni .scheme was engaging the attention- of that body, the president having attended a recent deputation to the Auckland City Council on the subject. The Chamber had now written to the Minister, inquiring as to when the experts' report on the question of the suitability of the site would be available. The Board decided to write, to the Prime Minister, asking if the board of experts had made its decision in this matter, and urging that, if ft had not, it do so without delay. The meeting furhor decided to write to Mr. Allum, one of the newly elected members of the Auckland'City Council, expressing appreciation of his foremost policy—to do all he could to have the Arapuni scheme expedited—and asking him to bring the matter beforo the City Council. It was also agreed to communicate with Mr Hockly again in the matter. .

TRAINING FARM.

A request from the commandant at the Salvation Army Boys’ Training’ Farm, that the Board urge the 'lelegraph Department to expedite the work of giving a connection from ‘lie Putat’uru Post Office to the party line from the farm, was acceded to, a letter to the Telegraph Department on the subject to go forward immediately on completion of the party line. CI,FATING A TOAD. Mr. M. McDermott, by letter, asked the Board to endeavour to have the road to his new residence, Putaruru, cleared of Manuka, and then formed, as at present it was a mass of scrub. It was decided to consult Mr. Hockly about this road, and the road to Mr. H. J. W. Scott’s farm, it being considered the duty of the Crown Lands Department to have them formed. ROADS IMPROVEMENT. The question of the' general roads improvement 1 scheme for the district was discussed, and it was decided to ask the two local county councillors, Messrs. R. A.'Bent and J. West, and the County Engineer (Mr. F. Shannon), to meet the executive at an early date to further the matter, and in the meantime to ask the Council and Mr. Bent to have the grant for and back Lichfield-Putaruru road expended in forming the unformed portion of this thoroughfare, t CONGRATULATIONS. By resolution, the executive expressed pleasure at the recovery in lyalth of its president, Mr. A. R. Vosper, and at the fact of his once more being able to resume his full activities.

i. H. ASHFORD |£] § A. SCHOLZ BUILDEK, CONTRACTOR « UNDERTAKER PUTARURU L'uuchilu conducted in any putt Joinery of every description COAL & FIREWOOD JENEUAL CONTRACTOR Curling dono to uny part - of tin) district— — 15. A, Sciiolx. PUTARURU NOW OPEN For business in all General Lines Satisfaction ouaraiitoed GIVE US ATRIAL lviii!- L'oslOllien Willi Orders McLisky&Woolliams General Storekeepers, PUKETURUA ART XMAS CARDS YOUR OWN NAME AND ADDRESS With Greetings and Verso i Printed AT RECORD OFFICE i Call and Inspect Samples i Order Early From 7- Per Dozen