THE ROADING QUESTION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 197, 7 October 1909, Page 2

THE ROADING QUESTION.

Meeds of District. Meeting :■,: i e Kum, The mcotirpr advertised to he held last eveniino; unoer tr.e auspices or tno Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce for the Mr G. C. Stevens;.'.. airman, and fdr W. William?, member of the Ohura County County Council were also among those present. Mr Boddie, president of the Cham.:, er of Commerce occupier: the chair, ar.u in explaining the object of thm- mmmme said the reason ror calling it un dor tr.e auspices of the Chamber v.- as '.:::. t vm: be that body could not fierht thm fr.f'es m town and country altogether. 1: etuh: at least take a leaf! for tlm securing widesprea b co-op: ra'on m. a great and necessary word. It was quite unnecessary to dilate upon the subject at issue, as they were ail so vitally affected by the question. The chairman, in referring to the | Roads Department said the office which had hitherto existed at Te Kuiti had controlled a vast district in which a great amount of road work was in progress. That office had been done away with and the offices scattered to the four winds, and nobody knew anything about what was to be done in future. The present Government had made definite promises regarding the roads, and they were anxious to know if these promises were to be carried nut. In the beginnings of a new district the settlers did not look for a great deal, being aware that initial difficulties had to be overcome. With the increase of settlement, however, the difficulties became intensified, and unless roads were provided it was impossible for the settlers to keep the boat's head to the wind. The time had arrived when this district required something more than the mile or two of metal that had been put down. Referring to the Prime Minister's promise of £250,000 a year for backblock roads, Mr Boddie said this district had received its share of that money last year, but unfortunately the results did not justify the expenditure. This was largely the fault of the system. Something had to be done in order to get a fair and reasonable share this year, and he felt strongly that just as we stood today, continued agitation was the only way to accomplish their desires. The Chairman welcomed the members of the new Ohura County and congratulated them on the step they had taken, in setting up local government. Those present were then invited to propose resolutions, and discuss the prosition with a view to taking step; to secure recognition for the requirements of the district. Mr A. Williams, Piopio, then moved the following resolution : "Thar

' this meeting of settlers representing the various districts surrounding Te Kuiti view with alarm the closing of the Public Works Offices at Te Kuici and the suspension of all road works throughout the district, and resolves that immediate stepi be taken, either by way of petition or deputation, to bring before the Government the urgent necessity for immediate provision being made to commence metalling the main arterial roads in the district as soon as the weather will admit. The motion was seconded by Mr Bevege. Major Lusk, in speaking to the motion, said, as to regret for the abolition of the office, he would regret it i if it meant less work being done on i their roads; if it meant that the Go- i vernment intended handing over the ■ money to the local bodies to expend, j there should be no regret. He had j hoped to have some information as to j the Government programme before the j meeting. What they were all afraid of was that the money was not going j to be granted. On general lines he would support the motion. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. The chairman said that the principle of the motion having been affirmed, it was for the meeting to decide upon what method to adopt in order to carry ! the motion into effect. Mr G. C. Stevenson, chairman of ; the Obura County Council, said he felt sure if the meeting decided to send a deputation to Wellington the Obura people would support them However they would require to have a definite programme. No good was to be obtained by carrying grievances with them without a suggested remedy. I:: a broad sense the grant for roads shoui.l at least be equal to that for railways. If this was done we might hope that the country would cope with the problem of road construction. Major Lusk said he was of opinion that a deputation should be appointed to proceed to Wellington at an early date to urge upon the Government the necessity of obtaining more assstar.ee for the formation of roads and bridg-.s. He would propose a motion to that effect. Mr F. B. Darrow supported the previous speaker and seconded the ■ motion. '. Mr Bevege suggested the meeting 1 should appoint two or three to co-ope-rate with delegates from other districts. Mr G. Elliott said he took it from the tone cf the meeting that they were agreed that something should be clone immediately. r, ur reads at pres.-:: were in a w-rso s'ato than ever. Many get stock '-;:- ii.-. y-y .'-■ ,: ; '\.,;.;;. : lion should be ohtaireu as to v. - hat : amount of money would be at the cis- 1 posai of the local bodies so that pre- ■ parations could be made. Last year the 1

' Department had to race with the sea- ; son,owing to the delay in receiving the of opinion that far f.o ::■_-:• result; weu f ! The mover said the- ::r:.::o?si m;m -. _ t | new. It had been urged fy the Yfal- \ | tomo County Council on rr-r = to an. mm. j occasion. They were ■•-•■'■.- e.rtem. i j that specifications shouhl ■_ ?-■ rm- ■' [ \ by the Department's Pf-glmmr.' ' -.ft-;; j all it was the settlers' m.a:.m" an: th-m I I were the people be t er.r'tma t: mm. i how it was to':- smut, hummo , '; decent contracts arf goof Mart tlm j : cheaper. , j under. , | at the lower erf cf the district be o:n- ---'; sideredthe spoofing c: the mcr.ev at i the proper time :f tltt greatest i~r.tr- '. j tance. Without rtafs there c:t:l f net j i be successful settlement.

|be held a: elm wlius cc : ires"\l:- | "Chronicle" wl.l ,-e g.au -:■ reeeiv-. | wires from the ::5-:-:r: meetings im- ! mediatelv after me same are r.elel, JThe results will ■ c pumishsd ami the ! different centres will thus be i:ep: in touch with wl;:.t is 1. -.-:.-._- :l_re. With reference m m petlrons m be circulated m ::,-. c:;;ereot districts it is important th.r.t every sigr.aturtpossible shouli ': ■_■ .. hcaelmt 1. Ccooes mould be sent to all post mimes V.:f.