WAITARA NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1924, Page 8

WAITARA NEWS.

HARBOUR BOARD MEETS

CLOSING CUSTOMS OFFICT

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Waitara, Dec. 15. The Waitara Harbour Board held its; monthly meeting on Friday. Mr. Jas. I Hine presiding. • On the application of the Waitara Shipping Company, through Mr. C. E. ; Gaustad. the company’s agent, a ledger! account was granted. The New Plymouth Customs Depart- | rr.ent wrote asking if. in the event of the Customs Office at Waitara being closed, the board would supply the ; necessary returns. The chairman was adverse ot the closing of the local ■ office, as he thought little would .be I saved. The work would still entail a man being sent from New Plymouth. Other members were against the sug- ■ gestion. and it was decided to write. J giving the board’s opinion to the effect ' that it would be detrimental to close the i Customs Office, and that the board could not see its way at present to carry j out the work. It was also decided to write to the Marine Department to the same effect. Mr. Henderson reported that the Rail- ( way Department had objected to the , position of the concrete mixing board, • and he had to shift it to another site. Plant had been procured from Welling- ; ton. and it was his intention to treat | worm-eaten piles with cement coating. He stated that the Wellington Harbour Board had treated 900 piles in this manner with splendid results. Seven applications were received for j lea e of beach sections. At the pre- I vious meeting the chairman had been 1 authorised to obtain legal advice on the j matter, ami he submitted a report. Tie j stated that it seemed the board had j power to lease these sections for a period of anything less than 14 years, or they could give an annual tenancy. If the land was cut up it would be necessary to allow provisions for roads, and it might be advisable to have the land transferred from the Taranaki county to the Waitara borough. After discussion it was decided that members of the board. Mr. C. F. Dowsett (engineer) and members of the Seaside Society visit the site, and if the interview is satisfactory, to instruct M>. Dowsett to go ahead with the survey.

CRICKET MATCH.

The much -discussed cricket match between the Ancients »and Moderns took place on Saturday in good weather, except for a southerly gale, which interfered with good cricket. The Moderns had a narrow win by 8 runs, making 97 against 89. A very enjoyable time was spent, afternoon tea being dispensed on the Eround. and 24s Gd was realised for the Seaside Society. It is expected that this will be the forerunner of further friendly games, including games with Urenui and Tikorangi. GENER AL TOPICS. Archdeacon F. G. Evans preached to a crowded congregation at St. John’s Church on Sunday evening. Christmas carols by the choir were a feature of the service, and were well rendered. A I; 4 - v desk to the memory of Mr. W. Messenger was dedicated by the Archdeacon, who pa d a tribute to the zealous work done by Mr. Messenger. The a_s. Zita left for Onchunga on Saturday morning. She carried a full load for the northern port, including 50 tons of manure. At the Harbour Board meeting on Friday evening an expression of sympathy was passed to Mr. A. W. Ogle in his illness.