TOWN DISTRICT MERGER

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1934, Page 10

TOWN DISTRICT MERGER

EARLY ACTION UNLIKELY OPPOSITION AT NORMANBY. Abolition of the Normanby town district in the near future is not considered likely despite the circulation of a petition for signatures before presentation to the Hawera County Council. A counter-petition is also being circulated and the proposal to merge with the county is meeting strong opposition. It is understood that a poll will not have to be taken if the requisite majority of ratepayers signs the petition. The result of the activities of both parties should be known shortly. The Royal Commission which sat at Normanby and recommended that farm lands should be excluded from the district expressed the opinion that the district should be abolished. In 1924 a commission sat, and though it. recommended the retention of farm lands in the district, reported that there was nothing to justify the existence of the town district. Effect has not yet been given to the commission’s recommendation. An order-in-council will have to be gazetted before the boundaries can be altered, but the Department of Internal Affairs has indicated that the commission’s report will be adopted ‘ The exclusion of the farm lands will greatly reduce the revenue of the town board on the present rate. It is the prospect of an increased rate that has led to the agitation for the merging of the district with the Hawera county. Another effect of an alteration in the boundaries would be that Mr. C. J. Preston, the present chairman, would no longer live in the town district. It is understood that he would lose his qualification for a seat on the board. The whole of the present town district is in the Hawera riding of the Hawera county, so that if the’alteration is made the residents in this district will become ordinary ratepayers in the Hawera riding. There is, however, a suggestion that the boundary between the Hawera and Ararata ridings should be the railway line. Should the whole district be merged part would then go into each 'riding. . There are no obstacles in the way of the town merging with the county as there is no indebtedness. The electric lighting could be taken over and conducted on the same lines as in other parts of the county. The hall could be placed in the control of trustees. GOLF MATCHES AT HAWERA. PROGRESS OF SUMMER CUP. One semi-final in each section in the Hawera Golf Club’s summer cup competition was played during the weekend. In the A section O’Callaghan, conceding four strokes to Sturrock, won the match by 7 up and 6, while in the B section C. O. Pratt, giving G. H. Ryan two strokes, beat him 3 up and 2. In the finals O’Callaghan will meet the winner of the D. C. Ryan v. A. Blair, match, and Pratt will play the winner of the match between Hollis and Vinnioombe. MANAIA WINS TENNIS MATCH. AUROA TEAM DEFEATED. The Manaia St. Patrick’s Tennis Club team visited Auroa and played a friendly match which resulted in a win for the visitors. Apart from a few slight showers the weather was ideal for tennis and play was very interesting throughout. St. Patrick’s won by 13 sets to 11. Details of matches, St. Patrick’s being mentioned first, are:— Men’s singles: B. Scannell lost to A. Webby 3—6, E, Rothery Jost to K. Cave 3—6, J. Christie beat A. Sandford 6—l, J. Duncan beat L. West 6— i, T. Nelson lost to R. Corbett 5—6, M. Burke lost to Corbett 3—6. Ladies’ singles: Miss N. Burke lost to Miss U. West 4—6, Miss I. Mourie lost to Miss V. King 2—6, Miss S. Gopperth beat Miss Corbett 6—5, Miss P. Nelson lost to Miss Schwieters 2—6, Miss N. Gopperth beat Miss Webby 6—2, Miss N. Christie beat Miss Brown 6—4. Men’s doubles: Scannell and Christie beat Webby and Cave 6—l, Rothery and Duncan beat Sandford and West 6-4, Nelson and Burke beat Corbett and King 6-4.

Ladies’ doubles: Misses Burke and Mourie lost to Misses West and King 2— Misses Nelson and Christie beat Misses Corbett and Schwieters 6—2, Misses N. arid S. Gopperth beat Misses Webby and Brown 6—l. . Combined doubles: Scannell and Miss Burke lost to Webby and Miss West 3— Rothery and Miss Mourie beat Cave and Miss King 6—5, Christie and Miss Christie beat Sandford' and Miss Corbett 6—5, Duncan and Miss N. Gopperth beat West and Miss Schwieters 6—l, Nelson and Miss Nelson lost to Corbett and Miss Webby 5—6, Burke and Miss S. Gopperth lost to West and Miss Brown 5—6» Manaia Personal Items. Mr. W. F. Warren, of the staff of the Post and Telegraph Department, has left to take up his new duties at Waitotara, where he has been transferred. Mr. and Mrs. W. Duggan are spending an extended holiday in the Auckland district. ' Mr. R. Christie, who has been spending a few days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Christie, has returned to New Plymouth. Mr. E. Long sen. and Mr. E. Long arrived at Auckland from San Francisco on Friday, and are expected home in Manaia shortly. Mr. Hart, Napier, has arrived to take Mr. Warren’s position in the Manaia post office. The Rev. C. W. Solomon and Mrs. Solomon have returned from a holiday spent at New Plymouth. Mr. Cryer is spending his vacation at the Kaupokonui beach. Mr. and Mrs. J. Crompton and family are returning home from the Kaupokonui beach* this week. Mr. W. Spooner is spending a fortnight’s holiday fishing at Lake Taupo. ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS. The Hawera Swimming Club will hold a carnival on Thursday. An important event on the programme will be the Taranaki half-mile championship. All W.D.F.U. members and friends are invited to meet Mrs. Ward, Dominion president, at the Winter Show Buildings, Hawera, on Thursday. Smith and Trim Ltd., Hawera, advertises particulars of a sale of household furniture and effects to-morrow at 1.30 p.m. on account of Mr. F. Champion at his house, 5 Surrey Street. The furniture is in good order and condition.