THE PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1354, 14 January 1905, Page 2

THE PREMIER.

LOCAL BODIES AND ROADS.

(Per Press Association,)' New Plymouth, last Dight. _ Tho Premier spent two hours at Woitara to-day. Deputations attended on railway matters, asking for improvements. In tho courso of his reply Mr Seddon said tho Government’s first consideration was to give settlors in the outer districts means of carriage of produce to markets. The Clifton County Council asked that the main road from Mimi to Uruti be metalled. About six miles was impassable, and settlors were highly rated on the junction of the roads ; also a largo loan had been raised on the understanding that a subsidy would be granted. The bridge over the Mokau could wait. In reply Mr Seddon said that metalling was the most important matter. If Parliament had made an appropriation, and funds were available, he would advise the Minister in charge to get the work done. If not ho would got a vote at the next session. There was a great deal of force in the contention that roads should bo handed over to tho local bodios in good order. In some cases councils refused to take over roads not properly completed. He believod in people helping themselves, and would holp the Minister to help them. He thought it should be laid down as a general principle that all main and permanent roads should be handed aver in good order, so as to givo looal bodies a chance.

Other mattors wore mentioned. Then the Premier rode to Lepperton, visited McTaggart, and then came back to New Plymouth. To-morrow ho ridos to Mount Egmout.