WAIMARINO-TOKAANU ROAD.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1996, 2 March 1914, Page 8

WAIMARINO-TOKAANU ROAD.

r A MUCH-NEEDED OUTLET FOR I : SETTLERS. j Tho advantages likely to accrue to tb<s I settlers along the route by the opening of tho road from Waimarino to Tokaaini, which wero ventilated a few days ago by tho lion. J. Duthie, jiliL.Q., and 'ill-'. D. J-. Nathan, were further discussed by Mr. T, M. Wilfortl, M.P., speaking to a Dominion reporter. "While at Tokaar.u at Christmas titne," said Jlr.'Wilfor'd, f 'l was iftji-tai upon by a deputation of settlers holding land near tho line of flits road between Waimarino ancl Tokaaiut. Most of these sttttlers "tt'ere wool-gjwwcjs. They asked that I should, in Parliament, brfftg under the notice of the Ministry the necessity, foropeiiing tho to the Waimarino .railway statioii. After hearing what they had. to say I advised them to write to tho Welling ton Chamber of Commerce, and tho Wellington Harbour - Board, and I drafted two letters to be sent to those bodies. These letters wero duly dts-. patched. Some msmhers of the deputation who were sheep-farmers pointed out. to me that it cost 7s. G<l. a halo to fcet their wool to Tokaanu, 2s. a hale to get it across the lake to Tanpo, and 6s. a bale to have it carfcd from Taupo to Rotorua., and then there was the ■railway freight to Auckland. The open*: ilig of the road from these settlers' ■ holdings to tho Waimarino station would mean that the pari <rf Wellington would • get «H this produce instead of Auckland, that the settlers would be saved i the 7s. (Sd. a bale' cartage 'to I'okaanu, the 2s. a hale for ferrvmg across tho lake, and tho Gs. a- bale cartage ffoi.n Taupo to Rotorua, for I thing tho railway freight from' Waimarino to Wellington would licit, he much gf(?a't.er than that from Rotorua to Auckland.

' 'The opening of this road from Waimarino inland would allow some of jjio back country blocks there; notably those Native lands not included in tiie Tongariro Timber Company's holding, to he fanned profitably, Some of tliis land is quite good enough for cteo settlement—sonic; I am informed,, is -e-x----cefldingly fertile- -and new owing ,to lack of access this land ca-ii .not bo settled. Some very largo and very valuable. Mocks- o-f laud are now lying idle. ; 'The remarks made by the lion. Jl,r. Duthic. Mr. Nathan, anil Mr. Ci'a-nioud I heartily endorse. As a tourist resort, there is no question that when proper access is provided the Taupe, -district will become much -more popular "