AN URGENT WORK.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 204, 1 November 1909, Page 2

AN URGENT WORK.

THE settlers on the Kururau road between Taumarunui and Ohura are taking active steps to induce the Government to put in hand at an early date the construction of the bridge over the Ongarue river near TaumarunilT. The country between Taumarunui and Tatu is now practically all settled, and settlers are obliged to bring stock to their sections oyer the river. Atpresent the only alternative to fording the stream id having stock ferried across. This means that the settlers are forced to run the risk of losing stock in the river or incur considerable expense in the matter of ferry charges. The character of the river, which rises very rapidly with a moderate rainful, renders the negotiating of the ford a dangerous undertaking not only to stock but to travellers. It is therefore of the greatest importance that proper and sa'fe communication should be established between the railway 'and the district. As settlement expands and a greater area comes into grass each year it will readily be recognised that the arguments in favour of the bridge arc pressing. The rivers of the backblocks have already taken a heavy toll in the shape of valuable lives, and it is to be hoped the authorities will be moved to take early action. No opportunity should be lost by ths settlers of urging the claims of this important work. The breaking in of the back country is only accomplished by means of an immense amount of labour and hardship on the part of the settlers, and when it is considered that every extra acre transformed from bush to grass land means added wealth and producing power to the Dominion therp is every reason to urge that safe and proper means of transport should be the first consideration of the Government. In this matter, moreover, there is every reason why Taumarunui residents should support the application for the bridge, and there is little doubt the united efforts of town and country would be effective and attaining the desired end.