AWAITI SETTLERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4624, 12 November 1923, Page 2

AWAITI SETTLERS.

BETTER ROADS WANTED. PETITION FOR RATING AREA. In conversation with an Awaiti settler on Friday afternoon it was learned that the settlers in that district were in no way discouraged at the fate of the recent Netherton roading proposals poll. A meeting of some 17 settlers was held on Thursday afternoon last, when various matters were discussed concerning lack of roadjng facilities in that area. The outcome of the discussion was that it was agreed to submit two schemes for road improvements, the first to Include all the Crown landholders in the Awaiti, or, as an alternative, to include all the freehold land between the Waihou River and the Crovm land boundary. It was generally thought at the meeting that either scheme would provide satisfactory metalled roads at no greater cost than £lo,ooo'. It is understood that the following petition has been drawn up, and will be presented to the Hauraki Plains County Council on Tuesday next • “We, the undersigned settlers situated in the southern portiin of the Netherton riding, wish to strike a special rating area to raise a loan for the construction of permanent roads in the locality shown on the accompanying plan. We desire to decide the issue by petition, and request your Council’ to give an assurance that we will not be liable for any further special roading loans in any other portion of this riding north of the suggested boundary. We urge that your Council take immediate steps to give effect to our representations.”

Tn view of the support accorded the recent loan poll by the A’waiti settlers it >s not anticipated that any serious obstacles will be placed in their way by the County Council when the petition is presented. The Awaiti people are sufficiently enterprising to make a definite effort to improve their district by putting down solid roads in preference to spending another winter struggling through mud over, in many parts, only half formed roads. Their action is to be commended, and it is hoped that the petition will receive the favourable consideration it deserves.