PAPATOETOE NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 4

PAPATOETOE NEWS.

ANNUAL SCHOOL PICNIC. The annual school picnic was held at Weymouth 011 Tuesday. This picnic has really developed into a district picnic, and this year there was a larger attendance than usual. The parents and scholars were driven to the beach in some nine large waggons, sundry traps, and motor-cars. The members of the School Committee, under the guidance of the headmaster, Mr. Sumneis' were untiring in their efforts to make the day enjoyable to all. Mr. Bsihler kindly placed his paddocks at the disposal of the committee. A large motor-boat, with a tow-boat, made numerous trips up and down the harbour, so that all the children and friends had an opportunity to see that portion of the lUanukau Harbour. The committee and parents provided ample provisions and lollies, and the day was particularly free from accident. The very large number present was in a great measure due to the fact that Mr. Sumner, the headmaster, has announced his intention, shortly, of resigning his position as headmaster, after over 20 years of service in the district, In all matters, educational and social, in this district. Mr. Sumner has been tha most prominent' figure, and his early retirement has, therefore, been received with general regret. There are very few district's, of the sizt of Papatoetoe, that have to rely on the public school to serve the purpose of a public hall. This fact has often been commented on. However, the Road Board is, at last, taking the matter in hand, and a meeting of ratepayers is called for Saturday in the Methodist Hall, Kolmar Road, The business of the meeting will be to decide the site for a Road-Board Office, and discuss the question of the erection of a public hall. The Gas Company is energetically pushing on the work of laying gas mains. Mains have been laid up the South Road as far as the school corner, and residents there are using gas. The workmen are now busy laying down the mains in Kolm; r Road, on toward the railway station, s> that before the long evenings and winter set in, the road board will probably havo the main thon>ughiares lighted. Within a radius of a mile and a-half of the railway station, some 16 fine residences are in course of erection. Two members, Messrs. Wyllie and Nicholls, retire from the Road' Board at the coming election. These gentlemen are seeking re-election, and it is generally anticipated that, despite opposition, they will be returned again. An up-to-date butcher's shop is being erected in Station Road.

There is a magnificent- opening in this young and rising district for a Townplanning Board. Alterations are contemplated in several directions. On several occasions, especially at public meetings, the matter of a Town Board has been discussed. It lias been suggested that part of East Tamaki, especially that portion near the South Road and portions of Mangere, near the Station Road, should form part of a Papatoetoe Town Board, for the residents living in these localities have interests identical with Papatoetoe. Then there is a more direct road required from Puhinui Road through to Wiri and Manurewa ; a more direct road is required through from Coronation Road to the South Road ; there are the alterations and necessary approaches contemplated in the shifting of the railway station. These are all matters that could well be dealt with by the co-operation of a Townplanning Board and Road Board Committee. The district is rapidly becoming a suburb, and it would be very much easier, now. to plan and arrange, than to leave important alterations to stand over for a year or so. Then there are such, S& matters as water and drainage requiring $ attention. These important matters must sooner or v|| later come to the front, and if Papatoetoe Jr. is to become that model suburb that residents talk about, it is high time that steps : -g ggj were taken to form a strong and energetic , J-i'j., Town-planning Board. • • ' 111 .mi