WAITEWHENA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 167, 24 June 1909, Page 5

WAITEWHENA.

(Own Correspondent.)

Brought before the public as the route of the suggested deviation this district has been the centre of a : strong agitation in an attempt to have the Ongaiue-Stratford line constructed tbroogh the valley and possibly if the , money market was more favourable, the more northern route would have been selected. The road that traverses the valley is destined to be the main stock route between the Ohura and Te Kuiti market, and a deputation that waited on the Minister for Roads and Bridges impressed the necessity of opining it through its entire length for traffic. A vote of £3OOO has been spent this season, and some five and a half miles of the road has been widened to 12 feet, yet by some oversight in J the the centre of the valley some 12 chains have not been formed 6 feet. which has proved a complete block during this winter. The settlers have taken advantage of the distance formed, and new booses are being erected, which proves the faith of the settlers in their selections. Messrs Tovey Bros., Rosk Bros., Mackenzie, Kibblewhite, and Bamett all have new houses along the valley. It is only three years sincethe six foot track was started to be formed from Mangaroa, and now the valley is settled from end to end. The valley is principally suited for sheep, although there are many sections on which swamp and flat land can be used as dairying lands. The disadvantage of papa roads will prevent any combined effort to establish dairying to any extent, until better facilities are offered in the shape of metalled highways. A post office has been opened. Mr Bamett being postmaster. Two malis a week are enjoyed, and the settler* hope to have the telephone established during the coming summer.