KAUAERANGA ROAD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32301, 18 August 1943, Page 3

KAUAERANGA ROAD

LETTER TO MINISTER ' - PETITION FROM SETTLERS MR J. THORN’S ENDORSEMENT In reference to the proposed Kauaeranga-Hikuai road, Mr J. Thorn, member for the district, has forwarded a copy of the letter he sent to the Minister of Public Works, Mr R. Semple. After pointing but that the agitation for the road was actively supported by all the people on the teastern side of the Peninsula and by all members of the Thames Chamber of Commerce and the people of the Borough of Thames, Mr Thorn stated that among those directly concerned opinions is virtually unanimous in endorsement of the project. The lettei* continues: —

“An admirable statement of the reasons for the road bas been prepared by Mr H. 'Gallop, secretary of the Thames Chamber of Commerce. These reasons are, briefly: (1) The construction will involve a distance of less than 10 miles over a grade which is generally described as easy; (2) the road will provide amenities and facilities for soldier settlers who have been cruelly isolated for 20' years; (3) the development of farming land which the road will open will increase rating capacity, effect economies in the operation of the Tairua dairy factory, and strengthen the community; and (4) the road Will give by far the easiest access to the settlers to a centre where hospital and marketing facilities are available. Financial Support

“In support of the general proposal Mr Gallop draws attention to roads of .several miles in length which have been constructed for the use of single and very small groups of settlers.

“He also stated that settlers at Hikuai-Tairua had promised £2OO, those at Kauaeranga another £2OO, these contributions having been inade up by subscriptions in Thames to over £1750 as a payment the people are willing to make to the Government if it will agree to construct the road. “In my opinion the subscription of so large a sum of money is proof of bona fide interest in the project, and it should win from you your active and sympathetic concern. “Mr Gallop has also submitted four petitions. These are signed by men and women in Whenuakite, Tairua, Hikuai and Kauaeranga, and, knowing these districts, I should say that the signatories cover the entire 'adult population. Thus it is clear that support for the road is overwhelming. “I may state that I have been in close touch with all the interests affected, and particularly with the soldier settlers at /Hikuai, with whom I have discussed the proposal on several occasions. It has been asserted to me repeatedly that when these returned soldiers were settled on this remote area they were promised that the road to Thames would be constructed. This promise has not yet been carried out.

Meeting of Settlers “I attended a meeting of the settlers on July 11 last. Although there was torrential rain, at least 70 men and women were present, A resolution urging completion of the road ■ was carried' unanimously. To me a . moving argument for the road put forward at this meeting was contained in several statements prepared by women concerning the suffering and anxiety arising from the remoteness of the district from medical services. “Other considerations voiced at this meeting were: That the road is included in the Five-Year Plan submitted to you by the Thames County Council; that at least 3500 acies of good farming land could be developed for dairy operation; that if this land were opened up it would facilitate

ragwort eradication (this land is now a ragwort nursery and, because of seed distribution through floods, is a real menace to the district); that the road is located over its whole distance by a six-foot track used when bush-felling was carried on; that the grade is not more than 1 in 16; that the bends are easy (one speaker said he had walked- over the track from Hikuai to Kauaeranga and back in seven hours); that the road would place Hikuai. only one’s hour’s distance from the Thames railhead and the Kopu saleyards; that hospital access would be enormously improved; and that rate revenues from the developed area would assist county finance and help in maintenance. “As to the 3500 acres of land referred to, this is how under forestry proclamation. Within the past few days, however, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, Minister of Lands, has made a definite

promise that if an inspection by a departmental officer’ shows this land to' be suitable for farming he will release it from forestry. I may add that three or four years ago the then Minister of Lands assured me by letter than some parts of this area would be released. Settlement of Returned Soldiers “Two considerations weigh with me with reference to this land. The first is that 16 young men from the district are with our overseas forces, and when they return it would be a sensible and humane policy to settle them near their relatives. The second is that this settlement would greatly improve the economy of the local dairy factory and raise the payouts to the dairy farmers. For your information I may explain that, this factory has an output of roughly 150 tons a year, and its overhead is therefore high. It was established by the soldier settlers and because it brings a stripping service, to this isolated area, it is, in the opinion of the Executive Commission of Agriculture, essential to the welfare of the district. An increase in the number of suppliers -would make possible more economical manufacture to the benefit of all concerned. “For all these reasons I appeal to you to give favourable consideration to the needs and desires of these people. With the machinery youi’ department will no doubt have at its disposal in the future, the cost of construction will be greatly reduced' from the figure estimated six years ago when I first approached you with this matter. In the early stages, too, a high-class road need not be contemplated, seeing that more urgently than anything else the settlers merely want some convenient access to Thames. “In addition to the document from the Thames Chamber of Commerce and the four petitions herewith, there is a mass of correspondence which I have itemised and abbreviated in a postscript for your easy information and guidance.”