TE AROHA AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17110, 15 March 1919, Page 11

TE AROHA AFFAIRS.

SUPPLY OF METAL TRUCKS. DEPUTATION TO .MINISTER. [Br UtEOBAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE AKOHA, Friday. . "A "deputation from the.Piako County Council asked the Minister for Railways, the Hon. W. H. Hemes, on Wednesday last to enable it to secure a better supply of trucks for metal. The Minister said ho could not guarantee an adequate supply, as his Department was understaffed, owing to the number of men on active service. Further, the great' demand for rollingstock during the four months from December of wards required every available truck. As goods were charged full freight rates, it would not-be good business for the Department to suoply trucks for metal, which was carried at specially low rates. His suggestion was that local bodies should transport as much metal as possible during the of! season and dump it at railway stations ready for carting on to the roads as required. He realised this was not the most economical method for local bodies, but any other method would not be economical for His Department. . The deputation also asked for immediate action to be taken to prevent the Waihou River from becoming impassable for cargo boats. Jt was stated that two or three sand bars between Paeroa and Te Aroha had become serious obstacles through the drainage, works of the Public Works Department lower down the river. The Minister replied that in response to representations on the same question by the Borough Council he had already telegraphed to the Minister for Public Works explaining the seriousness of, the position. The Borough Council has asked the Hon. W. H. Hemes to atrain bring before the Postmaster-General the matter of bearing part .of the cost of adverting the creek in Boundary Street, alongside the post office. The council proposes to culvert the creek for the whole distance between Rewi and Church Streets. A site for the new public ball at Elstow has been donated by Mr. A. Clarke. v.