THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 5, 1910 BELATED ROAD WORKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 222, 5 January 1910, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 5, 1910 BELATED ROAD WORKS.

THE letter of "Backblocker," which appears in our correspondence columns to-day, deals with a subject which our settlers cannot afford to neglect. The road works of the district are undoubtedly of paramount importance, and the fact that so much of the-pre-cious fine weather during which it is possible to carry on work to advantage has already gone, may well cause consternation among those to wiiom .the road question means so much. This year's Estimates were awaited with anxiety by all, and when the list was finally issued it met with very general approbation as making reasonable provision for the most pressing works. The metalling of the main road from Te Kuiti has been strenuously urged .upon the Minister, and it was anticipated that no time would be lost in auuthorising the expenditure of whatever amount was placed upon the Estimates. Deputations to the Minister represented the urgency of the work, and although no definite pledge was made, the deputations were led to believe that no; delay would occur in starting the work. . .Recognising its duty to the district* the County Council offered to have the work carried out, providing! the Government would indemnify the local body, out of any grant made, i Notwithstanding the persistent ami • praiseworthy efforts of the local people, however, the Minister has yet made ho move to fulfil his pledge, and the slow task of ing the mud is apparently to be made more difficult by reason of the lethargy of those whose duty should be the care of the backblock settler and the progress of the growing rural districts. Mr McKenzie is credited with the power of saying "no," and saying it with emphasis when occasion arises. In connection with the road in question he said "yes," but evidently the emphasis was lacking. In any case if. the Minister's "no" is of no more decided quantity than is his "yes" in the instance under review, he will be voted a much more colourless Minister than was anticipated. Apart, however, from the Minister's personality, the question, is of far too great importance to be allowed to drift. Immediate steps should be taken to agitate to have the work. put in hsnd. •, The cooperation of Mr Jennings, Member for the district, may safely be counted upon. an.d. bV leayijig no stone unturned to stir th 6 .Goyermwnt 'to action'' the settlers will be the- ; Course jk)u£> wm/nopaenße dictates. ■•■■ f ■ -