Government Grants and Rotorua Stock Route.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1951, 6 December 1906, Page 3

Government Grants and Rotorua Stock Route.

At tho annual mooting of tho County Council yostorday, prosont: Capt Tuokor (Chairman) and Crs Harding, Matthews, Konway and Macdonald, tho following lottor was road from C. W. Hurathonso, Chief Government .Enginoor“ Ho Cook I County roads: I have tho honor to acknowledge receipt of your lottor ol the 17th inst., enquiring as to what amounts will ho available for expenditure by your Council out of the current yonr's votes for works in tho Cook County. In reply, I have to state that authorities aro now being issued to your Council tor tho following amounts: Gisborne to Rotorua (stock) £35 >Ss 2d, Gisborno to Uotorua £SO (£ for £‘), llangaroa. to Arolia £‘so, Dangaroa Valley £SO, Karaka to Waihora £IOO, Ngatapa to Wharckopao river £U 0, Waihuka Valley £IOO, Waimata £IOO, Waipaoa to Mangatu £75, Whakarau £OS. Tho abovo represent tho whole of tho amounts available for oxpondituro by your Council with tho cxcoption of tho item ‘ Cook County Hood dumugo £500,’ tiio matter of issuing authority lor which lias been referred to Cabiuot.— C. W. Hursthousc, Chief Engineer.” Tho Chairman said that whon ho

rocoived tho letter ho was absolutely astounded. About £II,OOO to £12,000 was on the estimates, and according to tho above letter only £5-10 was coining to the district, this being tho total amount exclusive of tho two first items. Apart

from this they had got authority for £SOO fined damages. Cr Matthews : Is is absolutely absurd, Or Kit)way : Is that all we will got to spend this year ? , Tho Chairman : That sot-mod in ba ibo whelo amount available from the Governmout to be fxpoudod by tho Oounoil. If it hud been ton times that amount it would havo been too little.

Cr Harding pointed nut that the t>m»l! amount to bo spent- on tbo ltotoruu slock route, £BS, would not pay foe tbo provisions going up. They had boon trying to get a oonncotiou through for these people for years, and tho Oounoil should call tho attention of tho Government to tho matter. Only about eight milos of country riquired to be out through whioh would givo soitlers a routo to tho Waikato.

Tho Chairman said bosidos tho grant of £35, thero was a farther grant of £SO with a proviso tbut the settlors raise £ for £, Even if tho proposed change in the routo woro made, tho oight miles would still havo to bo opened. Cr Ke iwny mentioned that tho Wni kato stock agents had ftated that there was a murko! thero for 40,000 shrep and 2000 cattle.

Cr Macdonald said evoryono knew tho Exhibition had taken ail tho money tho Government had to spare. Cr Harding pointed out that it was a pity tho deputation appointed to go to Wellington had not gono. They would probably havo go! muoh more. Or Matthews said an absolute pledge had boon given by Iho late Mr Soddoa that tha Rotorua stook routo would have first altootion. and ho thought that pledge should have boen honorod by tho present Government. He thiught Mr Oarroll should be interviewed, not as a man'ter of the Ministry, but as member for the die - triot.

The Ohairman said the matter should also be mentioned So Mr Ngata, M.H.R.

In tha afternoon tho members saw the Hon. Mr Carrol 1 , and efier diaoussieg tha matter, he advised tho Board shat he would got plans and ah information about stock route, and give them a further interview, Mr Oarroll will meet tho members of tho Council this morning to go into this qaosiion.