The Fielding Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1884. The Oroua Valley Route

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 21, 2 August 1884, Page 2

The Fielding Star. SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1884. The Oroua Valley Route

. — . — «. . The people of Feilding are determined that full justice shall be done to them by the Government in the matter of the survey of the Oroua Valley to discover a route suitable to connect with the Central Trunk Line of Railway. At the meeting of the Borough Council held on Thursday evening last a resolution was passed authorising the Mayor to call a public meeting on Monday evening next at the Town Hall, to take the steps necessary to have a proper and complete exploration made both of the Oroua and Kiwitea districts. The survey made by Mr Rochfobt, in accordance with his instructions from Mr Mitchelson, the then Minister for Public Works, was a mere farce, and intended only to satisfy the people of the Manawatu, who were c amouring for this long-promised work to be done before the meeting of Parliament. The ground was run over in about eight or ten days, when it was an open secret that Mr Rochfobt (in accordance with the wish of the Minister that it should be so) declared the line impracticable. Mr Eochfobt apparently forgot that the absence of any engineering difficulties to be overcome by him on his flying survey was evidence enough of an easy road, and would throw considerable doubt on the accuracy of his report. From the beginning all we have asked trom the Government was fair play. If there are better routes, to be discovered (we believe they have yet to be discovered), then let one of them bo chosen. But. first or last let the Oroua have a modicum of justice done to it. We have perfect faith ih the ability and determination of the member for Manawatu, Mr Macarthur, to get this accorded us, but his hands must be strengthened by the people supporting him in his demands on their behalf. If the Government — no matter who are in power — sees that we are determined to have this thing done, very little urging or persuasion will be required from our representative. If the Government should absolutely refuse to go to the expense of a boaa fide survey, it has been >u^gested that the people take the matter in hand and subscribe the necessary funds to employ iudependant surveyors. If such a course should be made necessary by a contemptible parsimony on the part of the Government, we believe that any money raised for such purpose in the Borough would be supplemented by contributions from every settlement in the district. We hope that the resolutions proposed at thc meeting will be clear and definite on this point. We urge upon the people to remember the injustice and neglect they have suffered in the past. The lime has at length arrived when they can demand fair treatment with a certainty of getting it.