HAURAKI PLAINS ROADS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4407, 28 April 1922, Page 1

HAURAKI PLAINS ROADS.

PATETONGA AND KAIHERE. ACCESS TO PAEROA, Mr P. E. Brenan (Mayor), on behalf of the Paeroa Borough Council and citizens, urged upon the Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates) the need of better roads on the Plains, and more of them. “The Paeroa-Ngatea Road,” Mr Brenan said, “one of the most immrtant outlets for the Hauraki Plains is in an almost impassable condition, and this deputation urgei ■that it. bo repaired and made pass- 1 ab’e at an early date, especially that portion under the jurisdiction of the Government. The business transacted between Paeroa and the Plains is very seriously handicapped by the present state of the road mentioned.

“We would also urge that roads be proceeded with to give the Kaihere and Patetonga residents direct access to Paeroa Junction. -.These would open up an exceedingly rich area of Crown lands, .and would enable the settlers in the districts named to have muqh better access.to the railway and to a hospital than at present. Their nearest centre is, at p-esent, MorrinsviUe —some 32 mres from Patetonga—whereas when this road is put through Paeron will be • brought within nine miles of Patetonga. No difficulty will he experienced in making this road, if the. dredge at present being used on the south line of the 2000ac r e block adjoining Kerepeehi were Used to continue the c,anal -to the Awai.ti Stream; using the spoil from the canal for road formation. We would ask Mr Buchanan, who is fully conversant with the locality, to explain the position on the plan and the possibilities ofl formation. “Tn view of the importance to the whole district of the matters to which reference is made, the deputation feels sure that you will give these recommendations your serious

consideration.” . x : Mr Geo. Buchanan "explained on the plan the proposed route of '.he proposed road and canal. The Minister said he was going to see the Plains on Thursday (yesterday). He tlfought the farmer in particular had a hard row ,to hoe; he was the salt of the country. The exports of the country were 90 per cent, primary products. For. that reason he liked to get into 1 the sparsely populated areas.