THOMPSON’S TRACK.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5466, 26 August 1929, Page 4

THOMPSON’S TRACK.

DISCUSSION IN 1893. KATIKATI OPINIONS. Apropos of the reply of the Minister of Public Works to the Piako County Council through Mr C. E. Macmillan. M.P., anent Thompson’s Track, which appeared in Friday’s issue of this paper, the following extract from the “Ohinemuri Gazette” of August 26, .1893, is of great interest :— Katikati Notes. Saturday, the 19th inst., was a busy day at Katikati, so far as public meetings are concerned. The first (convened by the Tauranga County Council) was held at 2 p'.m., being the preliminary and formal meeting required by the Act to obtain the sanction of the ratepayers for a proposed loan from the Government of £5OO, redeemable by a sinking fund of £25 per annum in 26 years. The purport of this loan is to secure with the Piako County Council (who are also taking steps to raise an equal amount by the same means) a grant from our paternal Government (of washers and manglers notoriety) amounting to £2OOO, for the conversion of Thompson’s Track into a coach road, and thus connect the East Coast with the Waikato railway centre.

Captain Macmillan, chairman of the Tauranga County, presided, and having briefly explained details and read portions of the Act of Parliament, called for an expression of opinion from those present. Mr John. Killen, J.P. and county councillor, having giver, his report of a recent, interview with the Premier at Hamilton, strongly urged the ratepayers to accept the offer so forcibly placed before them by the chairman.

Messrs B. McDonnell, W. J. Gray, and a few others having also made very pertinent remarks, Mr Vesey Stewart was asked to give his views on the question. This gentleman briefly replied by stating that, regarding the proposed road from a purely local and selfish view, he never was in love with Thompson’s Track, as it would cut off such a considerable extent of the main traffic from the settlement, while they had at present right through the entire length a level and a shorter road, , and means of reaching Auckland via Paeroa, which township was a pleasant terminus. But viewing the project on broad public grounds, taking into consideration the very easy terms on which the loan was granted, the advantage to be expected from the local expenditure of such a large sum of money, and hearing in mind the benefits, that must re-' suit from opening up the country by new roads with a consequent increase of settlement, he intended to give his vote for the proposed loan, and urged his fellow ratepayers to support the project, though he feared that £3OOO would not be sufficient to complete the work. However, there would be no difficulty in obtaining what would be required on the same terms ; and in the present instance the chairman of the Tauranga County Council was satisfied that the £25 per annum could be met out of ordinary revenue without striking any further rate. The chairman put the resolution to the meeting, and it was passed unanimously. The day for taking the poll was fixed as Saturday, September 9. The proceedings were then closed by a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by Mr Stewart and seconded by Mr Killen.