WHANGAMATA HIKUTAIA

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4236, 4 March 1921, Page 2

WHANGAMATA HIKUTAIA

STOCK PADDOCK (JB ANTED.

On Wednesday Messrs N. A. Palmer and L. G. Martyn, of the "Whangamaia Settlers' Association, waited on the Thames County Council, asking for a stock paddock for use of-the settlers bringing cattle from Whangamata to Hikutaia saleyards! Mr Palmer sail th 3 Crown Lands Department were agreeable to a reserve, on the Hikutaia side of the "zig-zag," being used for th& purpose, provided the council guaranteed to clear, fence, and grass the property. "

The chairman sympathised with" the applicants, but pointed out that-the funds would not allow of the council undertaking .the expenditure.

The deputation agreed ,to dt> the work if .the council would provide the material. .

The offer was considered a gooq one, and was agreed to. The Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Co., Ltd., had agreed to supply the grass seed.

Cr. H. Lowe moved, and Cr. A. Alley seconded, that the money be found by the county, which subsidised mining, and should in equal fairness subsidise for stock-paddocks. The council should be pleased that the stock was available to need a paddock, and. it shewed that the production of stock was being develops! on the other side of the range and, -being; brought to the Hikutai.a side.

Mr Martyn pointed out that stock was also bough,t at Hikutaia and taken to the other side of the range. -

Cr. Lowe submitted that it would be an unwise policy to cheese-pare on the matter. A half-way stock paddock was as good' as a stock road, for the stock.would go into the y.aH.3 in better conditions. The paddock would be vested in the Thames County Council, and some day, when tho settlers were in a better way, the council might be able to make n small charge.for the use of the-yard: In the meantime, it was extremely desirable that the settlers should be assisted and encouraged in legitimate way. ' * ' •

Ultimately the deputation agreed to find the staples, posts, and se.ed, provided the "county, would find the wire, two gates*'jirid put up 'a ring and a dividing fence. —Agreed 10, the yard to be vested in the council, and the "Whangamata Settlers' Association to be the controlling body.