TIROHIA NOTES

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5783, 28 May 1919, Page 2

TIROHIA NOTES

(By Phone—Own Correspond nfc.) Since ray last uotesour district has almost become famous. Our famous “white elephant ’’ has expired—at least, it bas been turned to profitable account. I refer to the traffic bridge over the Waiheix river. We had serious doubts as to whether the P.W.D. would ever allow us to use the structure. Lately a gang of men have been very busy erecting fences at either end of the structure to facilitate transit of stock.

Wo are agitating for a school for this thriving and progressive (and populous) district. Last week an inspector of the Auckland Board of Education visited us and discussed the prospects and viewed several suggested sites. There was a strong move to secure the Board’s ha’l-mark of a site about a mile or so beyond our railway station, but as this is within the boundaries of Paeroa it is not likely (we hope 1 ) to be accepted. The ideal site is one within a few liuudred yaids of the railway station. That is the centre of tho district. Further, there are good prospects of obtaining a site there tree of cost. It would no doubt surprise people to kuow that there are over seventy children iu this district between the ages of two and fifteen, of which tho majority live handy to tho site near the station. Up to the present school children have had to go by train or horse to Paeroa for their scho 'ling, aud this has not proved altogether a success, for only about ten or a dozen youngsters go. Now, Sir, what about pressing pur claims for a school at Tirohia ? Event of events ! We had a visit a day or two ago by the chairman and members of the Elstow Drainage Board, who wanted more iuformatioD as to the draiuage schemos in our locality. They had their eyes opened (of which more anen).

Two or three returned soldiers are expected tr take up their residence here at an early date. I hear that Mr Brenan has sold his farm to a party of soldiers. Then there is a remarkably fine block of Government land across the river, about a mile below the bridge, that has been “ tagged ’’ by the officials for soldiers’ farms. I hope it is opened up soon. The drought you speak of did not causo much inconvenience hero, by comparison with reports from other districts all over the Dominion But, then—we have the best land here, you kuow ! Quite a number of us were int nsely interested iu the demonstrations given the other day of farm tractors on Mr Eudean’s property. The Samsm and the Cleveland wero the two tractors used, and oach were given a fair trial. My vote goes to the Samson straight out.

The Tirohia Quarry Co. is proceeding wi'h its scheme to considerably extend the plant, in an endeavor to make it the biggest and bestequipped quarrying plant in the province. I hope !o have some more information on the subject next letter, after I have inspected tho work. Oar County lidingmember has always boon a champion advocate of the TirohiaTahuna road, for which we settlers as a whole thank him Bat 1 would like to call his attention to the fact that travelling stock are not at preseat likely io use the new route, as it is narrow and not fit to carry vehicle, having been burnt iu places. Hoise traffic can pass over it, according to the statomeut of a settler from Elstow, wlro came through the other morning. Just a few pounds spent on that road repairing would be a God-send, as it will induce visitors to cross over the bridge and see the glorious country on that sido of the river.