A DIFFICULT ROAD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5085, 7 February 1927, Page 2

A DIFFICULT ROAD.

SETTLERS REQUIRE ACCESS. GRANT TO BE EXPENDED. A short road known as Pumamuka Road, leading from Mill Road to the properties of Messrs W. D. Keys, Gerrand, Shaw, and several natives, has been a source o'f trouble to the Ohinemuri County Council for a considerable time past. The matter, was again before the council at Rs meeting on Thursday last, when the following letter was received from Mr W. D. Keys “On behalf of several settlers and myself I wish to bring under your notice the bad state of the access ■from Mill Road to our properties. The present road or track has been getting gradually worse for a long time, and is to-day dangerous for even light gigs to negotiate. I have had two carts smashed on this road during the last year, and if nothing is done shortly we shall be unable to get cream and goods in and out. The council has received a grant tp spend on this road from the Public Works Department, and no expense is therefore called on from the county—merely that the engineer will do the. work which he has already surveyed and estimated. There is really only a stretch of about 12 chains that requires to be done properly, and we consider the. grant will cover this work. This matter has been deferred for two years f now, and if this season is allowed to pass, the road or track might &s well be closed up for all the use it will be. We trust the council will have the matter proceeded with at once.”

The chairman (Cr. H. M. Corbett) explained that for some time past the council had made an honest endeav our to give a satisfactory road. After carefully considering the position the engineer had taken steps :o acquit e a small strip of land 'for the purpose of altering the present position of the road, and at the same time improving it. After lengthy negotiations had been in progress it was found that the piece of land in question belonged to some 27 natives, some of whom were dead, and had, in one instance, appointed five executors. ‘The position was very involved, and had been abandoned as. impracticable.

Mr Keys, who was present, explained that the road gave access about 800 acres. He suggested that the existing road might be improved and would stand the 'tjraffic until such time as closer settlement was brought about or the present settlers could afford to be rated sufficiently to put down a permanent road.

Cr. F. C. Hubbard said that the settlers concerned had been faced with marly difficulties, and were deserving o'f help. Cr. W. F. Johnstone stated that the council had not b e en negligent in the matter, but the difficulty of dealing with the Maoris had regarded progress so far as the road was concerned. After further discussion the engineer was authorised to expend the 'free grant of £75 which had been made by tne depariffnent in order that the. existing road could be. improved, the work to be carried out as soon as possible.