THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY. SEPT. 30. 1909 OUR ROADS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 195, 30 September 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY. SEPT. 30. 1909 OUR ROADS.

IT seems a certainty that in order to press the claims of this district in the matter of roads some King Country mad will have to be carried to Wellington by a deputation of representative settlers. Prior to last year's session of Parliament the district was fortunate, inasmuch as Wellington, in the shape of the Prime Minister came to the King Country. The experience of the Prime Minister on that occasion produced such a vivid impression on the Ministerial mind that a cosiderably increased expenditure on the roads of the district followed. Unfortunately, Ministerial impressions, however vivid, are apt to be evanescent, and a memory-refreshing process is absolutely necessary in the interests of all concerned. It is obviously impossible for the Premier to repeat his ■ visit this year; hence the necessity of the King Country visiting the Premier. As was pointed out by a genuine backblock settler in our correspondence columns last issue, the position with regard to oar roads at present is as bad as it can be. The reorganisation of the Department had the effect of wiping out the local office, and the road works of the district are to be controlled form Stratford and Hamilton respectively. However economical and convenient this may appear to the Government, the arrangement has 1 it-

tie to recommend it from the settlers' view point. A great district in which the roading is little more than begun, and in which settlement is going on at a greater rate than any other part of the Dominion. A district also in which the roading has not kept pare with the requirements of expanding settlement, the King Country rn'-r----than any other new district reouire- ;,. be treated in ro grudging spirit in 'da matter of roads expenditure. Th<- programme begun last year lent eop,>;r to the Ministerial assurance that an era of rapid progress had dawned in tim district, and with stone crushers ( slab-life-bed throughout the district it was

fondly hoped the main roads at leant would be made lit for comir.jo-:- •_■::■.■?.':■;■. Without a doubt the met:-.]'.!:.;/ < ft:.< main roads is the only poiky v,'<,r:h considering, and the longer sir-h v/nri: is delayed the more it is going t> co.-'.. On the face of things it v.;.:- an absurdity to remove an office from the centre of such a district providing there was any intention of carrying 0:1 the works already begun in the district. If such intention can be assisted to any degree by the sending of a deputation, or deputations, to Wellington it is the obvious duty of all to assist towards such a desirable end. Tho«c who may be called upon to contribute towards a fund for the purpose staled should remember that the individuals who compose the deputation arc making the greater sacrifice in time and effort, and require the loyal support of the settlers who will all benefit as a result of the efforts of the deputation.