MINISTERIAL TOUR.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 147, 15 April 1909, Page 2

MINISTERIAL TOUR.

- ♦ —- Hon. A. W. Hogg at Awakino. The Hon. A. W. Hogg, Minister for Roads, completed his tour of the district on Thursday last, when he arrived at Awakino. The Minister received deputations upon his arrival, and made himself generally acquainted with the requirement of the locality. The position of the Waikawau Valley road was brought before the Minister by Messrs Kelly and Spence. It was pointed out that the settlers had been on their sections for five years, and still had no outlet. Mr Hogg asked to have full details of the deviation forwarded to him at Wellington, when the matter would receive immediate attention. The Awakino Valley road was brought before the Minister by Messrs Thompson and Ward, who explained the position clearly, and Mr Hogg said he would have a report made on the matter. The Minister was entertained to a banquet in the evening in Mr Gribbon's commercial room, when a large gathering assembled. Mr L. Jacobs occupied the chair. In speaking of the district requirements the Chairman referred to the Awakino Valley road and stated that the cost of completing the road, including the metalling, would not be more than the metalling of the Taumatamaire road. Mr Jacobs also dealt with the question of opening the land, both Crown and Native, in the district, and urged greater expedition in such an important matter. The necessity for a bridge over the Mokau river was pointed out by Mr Jacobs,who said the bridge would link up the provinces of Auckland and Taranaki. Under present conditions the loss of stock in crossing the river was enormous,and it would pay the settlers to have a toll levied on the bridge if it was erected. He was sure every settler who had occasion to use the road would gladly contribute in this manner.

Mr Hogg, in reply, said he recognised the necessity of pushing on the Awakino Valley road, and would do all in his power to have it completed. He referred eulogistically to the district and agreed that the opening of the land was necessary not only in the interests of the district, but of the whole Dominion.

The Minister left by coach on Friday morning for Waitara, accompanied by Mr Murray, Pistrict Roads Engineer for Taranaki.