COUNTRY NEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 335, 8 February 1911, Page 5

COUNTRY NEWS.

Own Correspondents. Ratanui. Settlers in these parts are very upset as regards the treatment they are receiving about roads. They consider that they are being handicapped on account of the slow progress being made with the Kawhia--Maho mui-road. Dairying is about to commence next year, and unless this road is pushed on more vigorously settlers will tie under considerable hardship getting their cream out to the I'm Bio factory. The Bung-iivim road is also requiring attention and lor three years a distance of :' chains ot this road has been incomplete. This is an important road as it gives access to all the small holdings which number about 11. The sum of £SOO was on the last Estimates for this roau, but as far as ! can learn the money is all being spent, in widening further back. The completing of this short distance would be of incalculable benefit to the settlement and there would be less risk than at nresrnt. Another example of the dilatory way in which the Government do things as regard* the cutting up of the Katanui township. This is an area of about SU acres and has been felled and grassed for .some lime. Settlers are very anxious about this matter and would like to see it cut up at once. Money has been collected for the erection of a hall for the district, but on account o( not being able to obtain a site the matter will have to remain in abeyance until the survey work is carried out.

Great interest is being centred in the dairying movement as our district certainly is a dairying one. Farmers are very sanguine about the future, and intend to make a start next season by supplying cream to the Pio Pio factory. It ia estimated that if roads were in good order that the industry could be established on a splendid footing, and that eventually 1000 cows could be milked in the district. Manßa-o-hae. A very enjoyable picnic was held here laßt Tuesday week, and there was a large attendance of settlers from all over the district. Sports and games of various kinds were indulged in during the day, and a very enjoyable time was spent. In the evening a dance was held in Mr Were's woolshed and trippers of the light fantastic had a splendid time. Although on the warm side everything went off well and one and all had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Mangaotaki Valley. A meeting of settlers was held in Mr Hegginson's house to consider a rather sweeping proposal put forward by Mr Alder, to draw the attention of the authorities to the neglected condition of the Mangaotaki road. It was proposed by Mr VV. Alder, seconded by Mr G. Symonds, that if a sufficient .sum is not granted at onc3 to widen the road, that the settlers surrender their holdings to the Government. Mr Alder said that they were compelled to live on the land, compelled to improve it, compelled to pay\rent and rates, and seeing that some of the settlers were on the land since 1902, it was shameful that they could not cart their produce nor their stores out in 11)11. The advice of the more timorous settlers prevailed, however, the majority being rather afraid that the Government might be inclined to ""* take their land. It was, however, resolved to petition the Minister for Public Works that if sufficient money was not voted for the road next year, the settlers would have to consider the advisability of surrendering their land, as it is no use to them in the present state of the roads. Kaeaea. I wish to draw the attention of the authorities to the state of the Waitai road, or as it is commonly called, the "short cut." Although there has been a lot of money spent on it at the lower <md near the new bridge, there has been nothing done on the top of the road not even the slip cleared away ; consequently the road is lying useless for wheel traffic, and the money that has been expended tnis spring lias been lying idle. Whereas, it a man had been put on to clear the slips and put in two culverts in two heads of gullies the settlers on the Dim re, road and the Paro and Wai tewhenua roads could have used this road all the slimmer and saved 111f>■ ■ ■ miles earn way to Te Kuiti si\ miles in al! which is a great consideration in a journey of :!0 miles or more m our nearest railway station. As it is, at. present yon can only rule on horseback and 'pretty rough -one.-: at thai.. Ibit 1 suppose these thine, s wi 11 have lo Wait UPtil next -qtriag election time ■ when there will he an abundance of cash eomine: from somewhere. It was general!;/ nude rst.co ! thai, the metalling si the main road would reach I'm Pio this summer, out We am .loomed to disappointment, as it will tnU*- them all ties- time to malm two n ,iK'S hefo.e the y.esl.hm- breaks aI. the rale it. i : pone; on al preseru. When the I'remim opened the bridge over !.'ue i\lokaii river some Lime back, he made s. statement that a quarter of a million sterling would he spent <„, read: and •".■idge-i for four cuusecu,tVl. e : ,. i: -, ene million in all. We got. that one year's allotment as that, was election \ ear but none was spent | u . r e last summer nor (his summer t .ittus' ". not a cooper. 1 suppose if •will com.' to light next spring as usual, it he in;/; election year. So wo will have to wallow through :''> miles of i,md and look pleasant, as per (lMUi,i. However we are governed as well as we deserve to he, Al! the same, ,the slow way that main road is being metalled is a disgrace to the Government and the country.