WAIPOUA.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1928, Page 1

WAIPOUA.

A CREAT ROAD WORK. PROTECTING THE FOREST. AVAIMAMAKU, Jan. 14. “I must congratulate those who have brought the project of putting the road through successfully, notwithstanding all opposition, and if you think me wrong, kick me, and kick as hard as you like; but that i" my opinion.” These remarks were made by Mr Coates at the oflicial opening of the Waipoua. Forest Road. I'uily 500 people arrived from all parts by car to witness the official opening. Mrs Coates cut the ribbon, and a procession of cars proceeded to Waimamaku, where a typical .Maori welcome was given the Prime Minister, other Cabinet Ministers, officials, and visitors.

Hokianga and the north had lioen linked up with Hobson and Dargavillo to the south by a unique and interesting route through New Zealand’s greatest kauri forest. Despite the fact that all tlio speeches made were of a congratulatory nature, the real question of why the. road was cut through reimined unanswered. Hokianga people arc still under the impression that it ex'sls to the end to get the Omapere riling of their country into that of Hobson. Again, there was no direct and absolute promise given that the timber in 'Waipoua would not be milled, vet again the question was asked, although not at any function held in connection with the opening, who was going to pay for the road and its maintenance 'i The Forestry Department have stated that they do not want it. and it is no use to them. ft goes through an unrnteable area. Hokianga people state that there is a natural outlet via Kaikohe, but there is one outstanding fact, and this was emphasised by alt the speakers, and more particularly Mr Coates, that the road opened up the forest from a scenic point, of view. It was, lie said, a. project of Dominion interest. Describing Xew Zealand scenic resorts from the south upwards, he said Waipoua Forest, now that the road was through, was an added attraction for overseas tourists throughout the world. Apart from the controversy altogether whether the road went or should have gone via the coastal or eastern route, the Public Works Department bad strongly recommended the central route. That policy had not been opposed by the local bodies concerned, and had been favoured by settlers. As far as actual construction was concerned, the Public Works Department and Forestry officials were deserving of all praise. SPEECH BY PREMIER.

The Premier said there may have been doubt in the minds of the people not conversant with the geography of the Xortli regarding the road, but those hundreds present realised the importance of it to the province. It was a project of Dominion-wide interest, especially in regard to scenic attractions. As far as local people were concerned, the road gave them an outlet, and it gave access to settlers wlm had been isolated in Waimamaku and that end of Hobson and Hokianga County for years.

Mr Coates paid a tribute to I pioneers in the district wlm had gone in and worked hard for their ideals. Waipoua Road had brought this part of Xew Zealand on the map. So far as lie (Mr Coates) was concerned, it Imd been made to appear as if lie was a hushmau and that his one idea was to put a fire into the hush, mill the timber, and open up the land tor settlement. That was not so. For tile lile of him he could not see that this road would jeopardise the forest in the least. The Forestry Department would see that the forest was amply guarded anti protected. He wondered if people realised the point of making the country look beautiful, particularly along roads of the future. The business of county councils should be to accomplish this. The actual cost of forming and making Waipoua Road was £40,000, and in his opinion the money was very well spent.

The Minister congratulated .Mr J. A. Kerr, overseer ol the Public 'Works Department, and his men, on accomplishing excellent work. Local residents, as well as visitors, realised the magnitude ol the task. Metalling would come in duo course, and the Government was concerned only with doing its best for the project. The forest would he preserved, and perhaps certain parts might be cut-out to preserve "it, but that would he done economically, and before any steps were taken they would he well advised by the Forestry Department. THE OFFICIAL LUNCHEON.

Subsequent to the official opening of the Waipoun Forest Hoad, there was a great luncheon provided by the settlers of Waimamaku Valley, to which over 300 sat down. ■ Long tables covered with spotless linen cloths, and furnished with the necessary silverware, were spread underneath large fir trees. From the depths of Waipmia, groat and silent kauri forest, to this scone of unexpected animation fame the Prime Minister, other Cabinet Ministers, the heads of many Government Departments, and visitors. It was the crowninrr event- of the most eventful day in the history of the district. In fact it was one of the epoch making events in the history of Hobson and Hokianga Counties, as well as the Kaipara and Bay of Islands electorates. Air A. 0. Yarborough (chairman of the Hokianga County Council) welcomed the Ministers, officials and visitors to the district. There was, no doubt, he said, that Waipoua Road was an asset, and a link with the North generally. LINKING THE NORTH.

.Mr Allen Bell. M.P., who opened the proceedings, said there had been a diversity of opinion about the route taken, the Forestry Department particularly objecting on the ground that the admission of people into the heait of the reserve might create too great a menace of fire, but eventually the interests of isolated settlers and of the districts served had outweighed everything else, and the road was now completed. Mr V. Trounson (’chairman of the Hobson County Council) added his tribute. and thanked the settlers of Waimamaku Valley for working towards getting the road successfully on the map. It was between four and five years since agitation had been started, and. with the co-operation of all concerned, the road had been put through in 18 months. When controversy of the routes was at its height the Prime Minister had ridden through, and had satisfied himself that the road was needed. .Mr Bell, M.P. for Bay of Islands, congratulated Mr Coates on putting the road through, and hoped a similar function to that they were attending would he held when the road was

metalled right through to the railhead

Prior to tlie Prime -Minister’s address, the oldest lady settler in the district presented M.rs Coates with a beautiful bouquet, and the Maoris also made her a gift. The Hon. C. J. Carrington, M.L.C.. in offering liis congratulations, said tiint tho Waipoua. Road had been a means or giving an outlet to the sole remaining settlers and their descendants, of what was originally a Canterbury block, then opened for settlement by the Hon. John Ballanee. When Sir John -McKenzie was Minister of Lands, those settlers’ efforts were consummated. He had not the slightest doubt that the road was well warranted, as it was another opening to the great and fertile Xortli Auckland.

Mr Rodney Coates (chairman of the Otamatea. County Council) said that in the past his county was a long way from Hokianga, but the advent of the road through Waipoua. made it now only a morning spin in a car. Ft was his opinion that it would be an important road for stock dealing. Waimamnku was now the nearest point in Hokianga to Otamatea.”