PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Special Correspondents.)

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1389, 15 March 1912, Page 9

PROVINCIAL CENTRES. (From Our Special Correspondents.)

FEILDING. . -Mr. P. S. ]3. AVaito, engineer for the luwitea County Council, reports that ho finds .it very hard to obtain men lor read work. During the wet weather Inst week several minor slips occurred nn the county roads in the Upper Kawhatau. The Kiwitea County Council's road man was able to clear awnv the slips in time to prevent any blockage of traffic.

MAKURI. At: present, mails am! passengers can leave l'ongaroa at G. 30, arriving in Wellington about 7 ]i.in„ both by the AVnirapara and Mnnawatu. Passengers, mails and papers leaving Wellington at 8 a.m., either via the AYnirarapa or Mnnawatu, reach Pongaroa about 9.30. If tho coach service were well managed, it should not take more than 5.1 hours from I'aliiarua to l'ongaroa, 37 miles; i.e., tho conch which leaves Pahiatua at 2.110 p.m. should reach l'ongaroa at S p.m. at the latest. Thn l'ongaroa settlers do not consider this service to be a satisfactory one, and have made representations to the Postal Department, but in this opinion they are at variance with the Makuri settlers. Last evening a largely-attended meeting of Makuri settlers was held in the hall, Mr. W. ]•:. C. Ivies in the chair. The following resolution was moved by Mr. ,1. Moore, seconded by Mr. H. Cooin, and supported strcngly by Messrs. Powell, ■Scott, Parker, Main, Beeehey, and Taylor :— "The Makuri settlers are of opinion that, as the Makuri-Pnhiatun service has given satisfaction for 20 years, it should remain as at present. Any alteration made should be between Makuri nnd l'ongaroa." The proposed alteration, in the opinion of the Makuri settlers, means putting back the clock 2-t hours as suggested by l'ongaroa. It would take two days to go to AVellington and two days to return.