Back-block Telephones.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 120, 7 January 1909, Page 5

Back-block Telephones.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The Kaeaea settlers had fondly hoped of seeing the telephone extension to their district during the summer. We have strongly agitated, and Mr Jennings has worked strenuously to this end. But now we learn that the Department is only prepared to open an office here on condition that the'settlers enter into a bond to fortify the State against toes in erecting the extension and running the office. Some clever person has estimated a deficiency of £l7 per year—on what basis of calculation it would be interesting to know. Sir, we ore required to pay this deficiency for five years. This would mean that a small body of backblock settlers should pay (including their mail-carrying subsidy), the sum of £27 per year, for pent and telegraph facilities which similar districts enjoy wholly at State expense. How often has the Minister in charge of this Department repeated bis intention of providing a more complete telephone system in back-block districts? Yet we cannot but understand from his attitude in the present case, that it is the Government's policy to open' telephone offices only in such districts as will show a profit from the first. Surely there is no risk of ultimate loss in erecting lines in young and growing districts, even though such lines may be run st first at a small loss? As the settlement becomes closer—assisted by telephone connection with the outside world—such lines as the proposed Kaacea extension must certainly become largely remunerative. Apologising for encroaching to this extent| on your space and patience.—! am, etc., KAEAEA.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—ln a previous issue of the "Chronicle," I noticed the complaint by "Aria Settler" in regard to the spending of a sum of money on a deviation work on the Awakino Road between the three and four mile pegs, where the road is already metalled. I beartly agree with "Aria Settler." I noticed that you. Sir, inserted a footnote under the tame letter, saying that the above mentioned sum was probably part of the maintenance money that was being spent, and not the grant allocated for metalling. If such is the ease,, why la this money not spent in maintaining the road, and mending the bogboleo so that waggons can travel, instead of getting stuck in bog holes in December. It seems to me it would be better for the district if the Government could be persuaded to give the County Council power to spends the grants. 1 am, etc., PIONEER.

• TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The reeent boggy accident on the main road comes with no surprise, when one considers the condition of the road. The wonder to me is. that there has been to long immunity from accident. The condition of the main road between the five and the nine miles shows either gross carelessness or incompetence, either in the workmen or the mm in charge. Last year the road was practcialty left untouched, the cry being that it was wanted for metalling. This year special grant* have been got for metal, apart from maintenance, but instead of the money or maintenance being used or putting the portion that won't be metalled into a fair state of repair, it is being frittered* way in deviations. Meanwhile ruts, dangerous fascines, and places that very little heavy traffic will make impassable, are allowed to remain as they are. and by-and-by the cry will be "there is no money to put them right." The deviation between the threr and four miles is absolutely unnecessary at the present time. Ten feet taken of? the corner would have made the turning safe, and the money used for repairng bad places, would have been more intelligible than the making of a cutting that is quite unnecessary for years to come. It may be engineerng but it is not common sense, and it is not to the interests of the settlers, who would be justfied in demanding that the money be spent or maintenance and not in deviations. Whilst I am grumbling I should like to know. Mr Editor, what our County Council is doing? Tattle and horses roam hither and thither at will. Byelaws regulating the keeping of ducks and fowl» remain a dead letter. And most disagreeable of all. the river is made a receptacle for night soil. Sir.t think it is time our County member swoke. and that the County Clerk and Engineer did their duty. -I am. etc., MUNDANE.