ROADING THE BACKBLOCKS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2669, 14 January 1916, Page 7

ROADING THE BACKBLOCKS

WELLINGTON'S HINTERLAND. tTTy Telegraph.—Special, Correspondent.) Wanganui, January 13. The Hon. W. Eraser, Minister of Public Works, accompanied by Messrs. W. A. Veitch and It. W. Smith, M.P.'s, and members of various local bodies, travelled overland from Wanganui to Raetihi to-day, for the purpose of inspecting- the new arterial road commenced many years ago to. provide a direct outlet to the hinterland. Upon reaching the settlement near Kakatahi, a number of settlers waited as a deputation upon tho Minister, tod urged expenditure on the formation of a small portion of Feild's track, in order that settlers in that part of the district might have direct communication with the Auckland-Wellington Main Trunk lino at Karioi. The distance to be completed is about 3} miles, though the full length of the track is about 20 miles. It was pointed out that this would open up large blocks of Crown and Native lands. , The Minister replied that he would make inguiries regarding the position, and endeavour to get the survey completed. Mr. Eraser stressed the fact that the policy of the_ Government was to concentrate expenditure on one road at a time until completed, rather than have a number of roads in one district proceeding at a slow rate over a lengthy period; furthermore, war conditions had rendered it very necessary to- be prudent and careful in the matter of grants, no matter how eager the Government wero to assist those who were so much in paving the way to tho opening up and developing of back country. From Feild's track onward the Ministerial party proceeded on horscback for about ten miles, thence by buggy to Raetihi. The visit of Mr. Eraser is full of interest, inasmuch as that he is the first Minister of the Crown to pass over tho road," and the fact was greatly appreciated by tho settlers. . That this portion of tho country is full of grdat possibilities was demonstrated by the fact that within a radius of ten miles of Kakatahi alone wool to the value of £50,000 was produced last season.