Opiki

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 54, 6 March 1935, Page 10

Opiki

From Our Own Correspondent. Meeting of Hall Society.

A special meeting of the hall society was held on Friday, March 1. Mr. G. Allwright presided over a fair attendance of residents. Explaining the object of the meeting, Mr. Allwright said that it was imperative that matters be finalised during the evening, owing to a request made by tho Valuations Department, Wellington. The business in hand was to make arrangements for the transfer of the hall building site from, the Akers’ estate to tho Opiki liall Society. This could be done in either of two ways—by making the hall society an incorporated body or by making the transfer to three trustees. It was for the meeting to decide which would be the most suitable. Mr. G. Barsen gave information about the Te Arakura Hall Society and Air. W. Irwin the Tokomaru Hall. Air. Gosling moved that trustees be appointed, and this was agreed to. Tho three elected were Messrs. W. Jackson, W. Irwin and U. Allwright. Tho chairman said that the hall society was £l6 in debt and it was tho wish of the people of Opiki that there should not bo. an overdraft on the hall at any time. Efforts would be made to clear this amount before the annual meeting of the society early in. April. A dance will be held on March 22 for this purpose. A member asked if it would be in order to’ apply for a flat rate in the rental charges for local bodies—Approved. County Rates. Air. H. Seifert, chairman of the Opiki branch of the Dairy Farmers’ Union, addressed tho meeting on the recent r:se in the rates on the Tokomaru riding of the Horowhenua county. Opiki and AJakeruu Plains farmers were all affected to the extent of 30 per cent increase this year. A deputation consisting of Messrs. Seifert, Jackson and Wilde had waited oil the Horowhenua county clerk, but no satisfaction was gained and a letter was sent to the auditor-general in Wellington. The letter received in reply was read to the meeting, and provoked much comment. Air. Seifert said that because the local farmers had somehow managed to pay their county rates, either by their wives and families going ivithout, or by some sacrifice, the more they were forced to pay for other people. The roads of the district were all built and paid for by local laud owners before the council would consider even taking them over for upkeep. Farmers considered they had a just grievance, especially when they were not notified in any way about the anticipated rise in rates. The notice required by law was’ published in three papers which did not circulate in the Alnkerua Plains. A special meeting of ratepayers is to lie held in conjunction with tho D.F.U. at an early dale, to discuss the revaluation of land. Personal. Mrs. 11. Wilson, of Tano road, has returned homo after visiting relatives in Waiata. Mrs. 11. Alexander, of Hume’s road, is visiting Taihape. Master Frank Paget has left Opiki and is now a student at Flock House,