CORRESPONDENCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 168, 28 June 1909, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir. —The decision of the Cabinet in regard to the route of the StratfordMain Trunk line.in favour of Ongarue, came as a great disappointment to many a wayback settler; fortunate people living within reasonable limits of communication do not realise how much so. The decision of a ministry of one of the leading Dominions of the Empire is no small matter of judical importance, but by what means it wa*« justified in this case is beyond the comprehension of many. In referring to the Ongarue connection Sir Joseph Ward spoke only of two qualifications: The 20 year old authorisation was one, and the if ct that it was cheaper was the other. The latter is a wise consideration judging by its probable productiveness. But there are other qualifications which Sir Joseph Ward overlooked, viz. The train will not be a menace of danger to the settlement in its vicinity. There will not be much fear of sparks from the engine setting fire to any grass country, nor are the Government likely to be besieged with deputations in the future, urging on them the necessity of doing something to relieve the congested state of its traffic. I can picture a circumstance in the far future of a stranger in the neighbourhood of Matiere asking a school boy. probably named Ryan, where the freights come trum"! The stranger is told by the boy that if he goes to the top of Aratawa he will see the settled country to the north as far as the eye can sec. He remembers his grandfather telling him that the people to the north were too slow to get out of the way of a train so they had to run it to Ongarue. I hope the Mokau-Waitcwhena League are not going to pass out, but will immediately put up a new signboard for the Kawhia-Ohura railway, and with a larger membership, instil vigour into the old league, and when in the near future we wait upon the Premier again, I hope he will remember the words o ? consolation he uttered recently, viz., that he recognised the necessity for a railway in our locality, and our mission was quite justified.—l am, etc., V. S. JACKSON. Ratanui, June 21st.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—i should like to draw attention through the columns of your valuable paper to the state of the Te KuitiWaiteti road, close to the town. The road is positively dangerous for traffic, and bow the butcher manages to cart bis meat from the slaughterhouse to the town Is a mystery. In addition, there are a number of settlers using the road very frequently, to say nothing of the children going to school. It is now winter, and to do anything permanent is impossible, but the road should certainly be made safe, or a serious accident will occur. Trusting those responsible will take the necessary steps without delay. What ia the County Council doing anyhow?—l am, etc, SUFFERER.