King Country Chronicle Wednesday, Sept. 28, 1910. TOPICS OF THE DAY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 298, 28 September 1910, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, Sept. 28, 1910. TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The decision of Te Kuiti Borough Council to adopt the consulting engineer's report is satisfactory. The cost of giving us a comprehensive system of water supply, efficient drainage, and thoroughly metalled roads and footpaths, covering practically all the streets in the borough, cannot be said to be excessive. If the ratepayers want roa3s fit to travel on winter or summer, there is only one thing for it—they must pay for them. And when we think that for under £30,000 we shall get, not only streets and roads, water and drainage, but a system of lighting at an early date, we need not grumble at the outlay—large is it may seem for a newly-formed borough. Hamilton, our nearest neighbour, with an actual population within the borough,of 2500, is committed to a municipal debt of £BB,OOO, and Taihape, at the other end of the King Country, has a borough debt of £40,000. If we get our borough works efficiently done for £30,000, we shall do well. onc6 expended there should be little need for further outlay for many years to come. The meeting of ratepayers to be held to-morrow night will be given an opportunity of considering the financial aspects of the proposals, and there should be no dubiety in adopting and pushing the scheme on, so as to get the work started within three months from now. If time i 3 the essence of some contracts, it is surely of consequence in the great undertaking we are to face, which must be done in good weather if at all. It rests with the ratepayers to heartily support our council in making Te Kuiti a model municipality. Dr Makgill's suggestion of a system of town planning is an admirable one. Now is the time, before much building is done, to see that ample space is given for residential sites, and that an effort be made to beautify our town. Trees, in their appropriate places, and open spaces, wherever they can be reserved, do much to form the town beautiful. We await the decision of the ratepayers with confidence.

The very representative public meeting recently held at Awakino, for the purpose of pressing on the Government the necessity of metalling and forming the Awakino Valley road, brought several strong arguments to bear which are deserving of more than passing notice. The old high road between Taranaki and Auckland has proved of some use to the settlers living on it, but it rises to a height of 1500 feet in one part, and with its dangerous curves and the constant slips necessarily occurring on hill roads, it would prove a very costly undertaking to metal. The alternative proposed is to deviate the main road to take in a portion of the Valley road, so as to "avoid the great climb and actually shorten the distance by a couple of miles. The Valley road would practically follow the course of the river, never rising more than 200 feet, would be free from slips, and would be easily metalled by metal from the river bed. It is further estimated that the cost of making the deviation of 13 miles would show a saving of £2OOO upon metalling the old high road. These appeal to us as strong arguments. Roads, more roads, better and metalled roads, are what our Kawbia and Awakino freinds are needing more than anything else at I the present time. But apart from this, the fact that this is the main and only arterial connection between Taranaki and Te Kuiti, is the strongest reason why the work should be pushed forward. The Government has on several occasions, through the mouths of its responsible Ministers, stated • that it would complete the work, and a persistent endeavour should be made to force the matter to the front. It may be taken for granted that the public bodies of Te Kuiti and the county generally, will support the Awakino people in their agitation. Every piece of good metalled road constructed makes interchange of traffic easier, and we all benefit by improved communications.

The letter we publish in another column from the Minister of Railways will not satisfy the people of Te Kuiti, nor the large number of the travelling public who have the misfortune to make use of the rail methoi! of entering the town. The plan provides for the carrying of a siding close to the fence parallel with Rora street, to the King street end of the station yard, and for the enlarging of the goods shed, left in its present position, at its northern end. The station platform is to be extended 200 feet at its southern end, and an overhead bridge will be run from Rora street, over the extended portion of the platform, a traffic approach being made from Carroll street to the station. The stock yards will be moved to the south end of Rora street. There is no intention of moving the station buildings to the Rora street side of the town. The fact that the greater, far greater portion of our population is settled on the east side of the town has no weight with the Minister, who goes into future problematical requirements, inj stead of dealing with present actual wants. The running of a siding close to the street will not reduce the present risks with horse traffic, and if anything, will tend to increase them. For the moment we leave the subject, only drawing attention to the fact that the half chain of road stated to be the property of the borough is included in the plans as part of the land required for the extensions and improvements.