THE ARAPAE ROAD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 356, 29 April 1911, Page 5

THE ARAPAE ROAD.

❖ A somewhat heated discussion took place respecting the work on the Arapae road last night, at the Waitomo County Council meeting. Cr Were said there was something wrong when settlers had to go ten miles round to get their stuff in. It was unfair to the settlers that practically nothing should be done to the road. There was £ISOO on the estimates, and £B7O authorised. If the Engineer could not do it someone should. Cr Boddie said the road wa3 pegged out for seven miles. He wanted to know why it was pegged un'esa some practical work was to follow. It reminded him of the three years' inactivity of the Roads Department. The County Engineer was authorised to do some work, and had been instructed three months ago to go on with it, yet very little had been done. He wanted to know why? Settlers were complaining. Of course the specifications might not have been approved of. Cr Were said a contract for £199 had been let. Why not the rest? Cr O'Dwyer said if a charge were brought against the Engineer they should put it on paper, and give him a chance to defend it. Cr Were said he was there to represent the ratepayers; why was the Engineer not there? Cr O'Dwyer said be did not defend the Engineer more than any other man. Cr Were said he represented a district; was he to be silent becajsa the Engineer was not present? Cr O'Dwyer said: "Certainly, if you are not doing so in a proper manner." The Chairman said they had not a lease of the Engineer. He wr.s away with his permission. He was quite satisfied no one in Te Kuiti had worked harder than Mr Adams the last three months. Cr Boddie explained he made no charges. He asked quietly, but had not got an answer. He was more than surprised to learn that only £7OO had been expended on the road. Cr Were was not going to "wrap up" what he had got to say. He wss only a rough back country settler, and if tney did not like it they could '"lump it." Cr Smythe thought the Engineer was doing his best. The Chairman promised to make enquiry. The District Engineer wrote en April 20th that the plans for this road had been sent to Wellington for approval or otherwise, as the cost was in excess of £250 The Chairman said he was quile satisfied this was the explanation of the delay.