LOCAL AND GENERAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3821, 14 October 1936, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

His Worship the Mayor told the Borough Council that he proposed to convene a meeting of representatives of jJublic bodies for next Monday evening in connection with the Healtn Stamp campaign.

The need for providing facilities at the municipal saleyards for washing motor lorries that have brought in loads of pigs was mentioned by Cr Wiallace at the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening.

A skating rink proprietor, waiting cn the local Borough Council on Mon day evening offered to give demonstration to councillors of two types of skates. His contention was that the type of skate he owns would not damage the floor surface of the Town Hall, which place he desired to rent for a'skating rink on two or three evenings per week.

The Mayor remarked at the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening that tenders are being invited for Greeting a garage and constructing a roadway on the post office property. This was a very pleasing indication of the progress towards getting the much needed extra accommodation at the local post office.

Borough councillors on Monday evening expressed great concern for dance patrons of the Town Hall, when an application was under consideration for letting the hall to a skating rink proprietor. They appeared to doubt the claim that skating would not damage the floor for dancing purposes—and thus revenue would be reduced.

It transpired during the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening that the local by-laws do not define the minimum area of x a residential section. Most people, vie feel sure, imagined that the' minimum is a quarter of an acre, but this apparently does not apply to Te Awamutu sections.

At the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening, the Mayor mentioned that the date of the next ordinary meeting is October 26th (Labour Day), and he inquired if it was councillors’ wish to meet on that date. It was decided to miss that meeting altogether, making four weeks between last and next ordinary meetings.

A magnificent response was made in all parts of the Dominion to the appeal for donations to provide a few extra comforts at Christmas time for the 577 lepers at Makogai, Fiji, according to a statement made by Mr F. J. Twomey, of Christchurch, the honorary collector. Expressing deep gratitude to all donors, Mr Twomey said that only gifts of £1 or over would be acknowledged through the newspapers, but all donations, whether of goods or money, would be acknowledged by personal letter.

A new type of chair has been designed for the Railway Department's express train carriages and will be tried shortly, probably on the Main Trunk. “Like a barber’s chair,” was one description applied to the new seats, which are said to be adjustable to an angle giving maximum comfort and enabling users to sleep on long journeys. The chairs are not double backed, but swivel round when required to face tlie opposite direction. Though they have not yet been installed in cars, the chairs are believed to achieve an economy of space.

Cr Montefiore mentioned at the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening the number of borough reserves suitable for residential sites. He thought all councillors should make an inspection, with a view to putting them on the market. He had in mind particularly some in Brady and Palmer Streets, which with a little levelling would be easily lettable on lease. Sections of the kind are in demand locally, especially as the State is prepared to advance money for dwellings thereon. The Borough Council is missing a golden opportunity to obtain revenue and at the same time to provide good building sites. He urged an early inspection, and mentioned that recently councillors had inspected two borough reserves some miles away that are actually non-productive. The Mayor agreed that the sections referred to are good sites, and that a plan of disposal should be evolved. Another- reserve is the four-acre area beyond Pakura Street purchased two or thre.e years ago for a water reservoir, and now not likely to be used for that purpose.

A total of 514 motor drivers’ licenses was issued in the borough ot Te Awamutu during the six months ended September 30th.

Two statutory first offenders for* drunkenness, brought, before 'Mr W. Jeffery, J.P., on Monday, were convicted and each fined 10s.

“We will either have to curtail the works staff or raise the rates next year,” was the tenor of remarks by the Mayor at the Borough Council meeting last Monday evening.

The town clerk, reporting to the Borough Council on Monday evening, ■stated that the municipal baths have cost £1438 10s, with buildings, fences, ate., costing approximately £5OO.

The Borough Council, on Monday evening, approved of still another property subdivisional plan, lodged by Mr V. I. Miller, on behalf of Mrs E. Potts.

Skating will open in She Town Hall next Saturday at the afternoon session at 2 o’clock. Sessions will also be held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings.

Tc Awamutu Golf Club, which has experienced a very successful season, will hold the official closing ceremony next Saturday afternoon, when Canadian foursomes will be played. It is expected that there will be a large attendance of members and visitors.

About a dozen Te Awamutu and district motor cyclists took part in an organised run last Sunday travelling via Cambridge to the Okauia (Matamata) Springs, and then back through Cambridge and Hamilton to Te Awamutu again, arriving here at about 5.30 p.m., after a most interesting outing.

We understand the Te Awamutu Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd., intends installing a huge tank, or reservoir, for conserving water for use at the butter factory, the reserve to lie drawn upon when the peak of the metered supply is being approached. It is felt that that course is economical, while it is a safeguard in the event of a long spell of dry weather conditions with consequent restrictions on the use of thq municipal water supply.

The ritual competition which the local Lodge of Oddfellows has been conducting for some time, competing for a medal donated by Bro. W. G. Adams, F.G., was finalised last Mon day evening. Competition, throughout was very even, and a high standard was reached. It was eventually won by Sister Ruth Cox, who received hearty congratulations upon her success.

Thei Works Committee recommended the Borough Council on Monday evening to arrange for the Public Works Department’s engineer at Hamilton to confer with the committee and the works foreman for the purpose of making arrangements for commencing the work of sealing that portion of the To AwamutuKihikihi main highway within the borough.

The concluding day.of the Auckland Racing Club’s spring meeting saw three Te Awamutu-trained or owned horses in the stake money, though rone registered a win. Mr W. Thomson’s Lucidus beat all but Lord Vai in the Manukau Hurdles, Mr A. J. McGovern’s Privy Seal ran second to Bachelor King in the Musket Stakes, and Mr H. Dent’s Cyllaros ran tihrd to Mainland and Gay Egypt in the Hobson Handicap.

During the discussion at the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening regarding the purchase of a motor truck, it was mentioned by the Mayor that it is intended to put improvements in hand on Wallace Road at an early date —probably next week —and when that job is completed the borough works staff-will tackle improvements in Jackson Street, where Kerbing and channelling is to be un dertaken, and the grade of the surfaced roadway is to be improved.

Hairini Tennis Club held its official opening of the season last Saturday afternoon, when, despite the dull weather during the morning, there was a large attendance of players, in eluding mahy representatives of other clubs. Mr G. S. Hall, president of the club, welcomed the visitors, and declared the courts open for play; then he invited Mrs Hall to hit the first ball over the net. This done, play was continued until late in the afternoon.- A very appetising afternoon tea was dispensed by the lady members.

Referring to the municipal water supply, at the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening, the Mayor said the councillors would be wise to keep in mind the growing need for an improved water supply. The town is growing at such -a rate, and tlie outside or special services (such as supply to farmers, dairy factories, railway station and Tokanui Hospital) are steadily increasing the quantities of water used, that the Council would be called upon before long to make more adequate provision. There was plenty of water in the catchment area but it had to be brought to town; and the present pipe line will before many years be quite inadequate.

“We have so much carting of material ahead ot us in various parts of the borough that it would pay us well to buy a truck outright, rather than hire one at the prices asked nowadays,” said a councillor when the local Borough Council was considering the purchase of an “as new” truck claimed to be quite suitable for the borough requirements. The chief obstacle to purchasing a truck was lack of finance, for most of the available money for this year has already been expended or is required to meet commitments. However, there is a need for such a vehicle, and endeavours will be made to finance the purchase, without unduly straining the Council’s available resources.

After routine business was completed at Monday evening’s meeting of the Loyal Te Awamutu Lodge, the N.G. (Bro. L. A. Johnston) called upon Bro W. G. Glasgow, P.G., to accept a beautiful crystal water set as a goodwill gift to himself and his bride from members. Bro. Johnston referred to Bro. Glasgow’s fine record of service for the cause of Oddfellowship, and accorded him the Lodge’s heartiest wishes for a long and happy married life. Bro. Glasgow, responding, said he regretted his long absence from the local lodge meetings, but circumstances over which he had no control were the real cause. However, he hoped now to resume his work—or labour of love for the lodge. It may be added that Mrs Glasgow is a new member of the local lodge.

A memo" ial service will be held in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. for the late Mrs Mandeno.

The South Auckland Dairy Association announces that the advance payments to be made by the companies associated with it have been fixed at Is a lb for finest grade butterfat for butter, and Is Id a lb for finest grade butterfat for cheese.

Local radio enthusiasts report that the broadcatst of Miss Jean Batten’s welcome in Sydney yesterday afternoon, and her talk to New Zealand in the evening, was very clear, and that the heartiness of her welcome was undoubted. They listened intently to her assertion that she intends to fly the Tasman as soon as weather conditions permit.

Reports from those who have witnessed rehearsals for the popular concert at the Empire Theatre this evening, to augment the fund to defray the expenses of sending the l'e Awamutu Municipal Band to the contest at Whangarei next week, indicate that patrons will be afforded plenty of entertainment and amusement.

It was mentioned at the local Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday evening that at a sitting of the No. 2 Transport Authority, at Hamilton today, an application for a passenger and goods service license between Ellicott’s Block and Te Awamutu railway station is to be withdrawn, and in substitution therefor is an application for a service between Ellicott’s Block and Hamilton via Cambridge.

Over 300 trucks of bobby calves have been railed from Morrinsville railway station this spring. As each truck carries from 80 to 100 calves, this represents upwards of 30,000 calves sent away from Morrinsville station alone. When it is considered how many heifer calves are reared in the district around Morrinsville the extent of the “cow population” can be realised. The supply of calves is now dwindling, and collectors are operating only on Tuesdays.—Star.

The winner of the £2OOO prize in the “ Lucky for Once ” art union orawn on Monday evening was Richard Rowland Jones, aged 18 years, a son of Mr and Mrs C. F. Jones, of Pukeroro. He lives on the main Cam-bridge-Hamilton Road, about 7i miles from Hamilton, and is employed on his father’s farm. He held the ticket under the nom de plume of “ Our Dickie.”

The wet weather of the past few 1 days has had the effect of making portions of the Great South Road just south of Kihikihi practically impassable for motor traffic,, and the A.A. touring manager issued a warning to all motorists to take the detour road for a few days. Cars proceeding south should turn towards Arapuni at the Star Hotel, proceed about a mile, and then turn to the right and traverse what is known as Brotherhood’s Road, which gives access io the Great South Road beyond where the road works have been causing trouble. With a day or two of fine weather the trouble will be obviated, and even now the contractors for the reconstruction of the road are using every endeavour to remedy the trouble.

“I suggest that a copy of the letter be sent to the local traffic inspector,” said a councillor at the Borough Council meeting last Monday evening, when a letter relating to the 30 m.p.h. speed limit through townships was received from the Minister of Transport. “My intention is that the traffic inspector should be a guide and friend to motorists,” said the Minister in this epistle, “ and I do not think he should prosecute unless the offender has been previously warned of the breach is a flagrant one.”