TAIHAPE NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 November 1950, Page 2

TAIHAPE NEWS

HOUSEBUILDING AT WAIOURU CAMP Satisfactory progress is being made with the building of 220 houses at Waiouru for camp staff personnel. The framework of 50 houses has been completed, and 16 of the dwellings have their roofs on. The first of the houses should be ready by Christmas, according to Mr H. L. Parker, building supervisor for the Residential Construction Coy., which has been let the contract for the erection of the houses in addition to the building of 16 barrack blocks at Waiouru Camp, plus four blocks for the use of army officers. It Is estimated that the cost of erection of the barracks will run into about £300,000. Iren roofs will be provided for these buildings, but all the houses will have aluminium roofs, said Mr Parker. He said that approximately 200 men, with sub-contractors, were working on the house building project, but another 150 to 200 were expected. DEMAND FOR CARPENTERS. The demand for carpenters still remained unsatisfied, and another 100 were still required, but there was a surplus of labourers, said Mr Parker. He declared that workmen were still coming in a steady stream, and it was anticipated that there would be a large influx after the Christmas holidays. Out of 16 immigrants who arrived at Waiouru recently, 15 were carpenters. All were a fine type of immigrant. Before long, it was expected that 350 to 400 men would be employed on the big building project at Waiouru. There were a lot of keen sportsmen amongst the workmen there at present, and a start had been made organising cricket and boxing teams with a view to competition with the Army. The Army authorities, and particularly the camp commandant, Lieut.-Colonel Purcell, had been most co-operative and had granted the workmen the use of a big gymnasium for entertainment purposes and had also granted the men access to the camp cinema. These privileges were much appreciated, and the workmen were making full use of the amenities thus provided. The men are working a 60-hour week and seem perfectly happy and contented. They are making the most of their leisure hours after the day’s work is finished and on Sundays. “It is no easy task to satisfy 200 men but we have had no trouble whatsoever and we are grateful to the camp commandant for his most welcome co-operation in the provision of facilities for the men's entertainment,” concluded Mr Parker. STREET IMPROVTMENTS. Mataroa Road, from the corner of Goldfinch Street to the Gretna Hotel, will be the next to receive attention under the street improvements scheme. Concrete footpaths will be provided as in other ns>rt« of the borcugh, and it Is expected that a start will be made this week. Soon residents of Taihape will be able to walk to town on concrete from all parts of the borough. TAIHAPE PLAY CENTRE. The Taihape Plav Centre at the Town Hall supper rooms has been officially opened by the Mayor, Mr E. Loader. The Play Centre will be open every Wednesday afternoon from 2 p.m.’to 4.30 p.m. and enrolments of children will be accepted during those hours.

MUNICIPAL HONOURS. "Candidates for municipal honours should address the electors as in the cities,” remarked a prominent ratepayer to the "Chronicle” representative at Taihape yesterday. He pointed out that this used to be the practice in days gone by, and afforded electors an opportunity of assessing a candidate’s ability. The aspirants for seats on the Borough Council should hire the Town Hall and publicly state their views on borough problems of the day and be prepared to ans’Ver questions the same as Parliamentary candidates. "How else can we judge their abilities?” remarked the ratepayer who, however, was not over sanguine that his suggestion would be adopted. "Perhaps it Is too much to expect,” he concluded. VITAL STATISTICS. Last, month 14 births, two deaths and one marriage were registered at Taihape. compared with 20 births, 4 deaths and 4 marriages in October, 1949. PERSONAL. Mrs L. V. Willing, of Miramar, and her two young daughters, Karen and Judith, are visiting Mr and Mrs J. S. Watson, of Taihape. MARTON BOWLING. The Marton Bowling Club’s fours competition commenced on Saturday and some keen games resulted. The new system, where the rinks, selected by the match committee, play throughout the season as a team, prove prove popular. Results: — Hunt, Mitchell, Setford, Denbow 14, lost to C. McDonald, Whale, Higginson, Thompson 20, Coleman, Gray, Mudgway. Ball 17, lost to McKinnon, Veal, McConachie, Williams 27; Lawson, B. Clark, Atkinson, .lardon 21. beat Common. McDonald. H tmer. Lovett 17; Griffin, Freeth, Todd, Hutton 19 bent H. Clarke, Gibson, Osborne, Brabyn 17; Tarry, S. Hunt. Smith, Bland 20, lost to F. Nicol. Scott, H Nicol. Morris 26: K. Atkinson, Lourie, Sellars, McDonald 18, lost to Keeble, Adams, Currie, Chapman 24; J. Morris, Oliver,’ Stratford, McKenzie 27, beat Webb, Baines, Rayner, Morgan 18.