MINISTER AND SETTLERS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 364, 27 May 1911, Page 3

MINISTER AND SETTLERS.

HON. K. M'KENZIE IN OHURA

FURTHER DEPUTATIONS

On the occasion of the Minister for Public Works' rceent visit to Mangaroa, Councillor Stuart, of Ohura County Council, waited on the Minister and spoke very strongly against the way the vote on the estimates for the Mokau-Ohura load had been expended this year. He stated that it was a cruel injustice to the settlers that no portion of the had been expended in widening from the Matiere end.

Mr McKenzie stated that it was no fault of his, as the Engineer-in-charge was expected to allocate the vote to the best advantage.

Gr Stuart replied that in this case the Engineer had not done so, as the road in question connected Matiere and Te Kniti. It was a main road, and he wanted to know why no portion of the grant had been spent in widening from the Matiere end. Mr Jennings here drew the Minister's attention to the fact that the particular part of the road O Stuart referred to was almost impassible for traffic in winter.

Mr McKenziae said he would see that when the estimates came out next year, the part of the road in question would receive due consideration.

Gr Stuart next dealt with the unexpended grant of £4OO for the Waikaka bridge. The Minister stated that if it was possible to get the timber in this winter for the work, he would see that the bridge was erected. Gr Stuart also impressed on the Minister the urgent necessity for completing the Ohura track to Ongarue from Otangiwai, for when the WaikaUa bridge was erected it would benefit a large number of settlers. The bridge would connect four important roads, and the Ohura track would be the outlet for a large portion of the district to Ongaruc. He hoped the Minister would see that the track wr.s pushed ahead. Mr MeKenzie promised to 3ee that a sufficient sum was pJ.aced on the estimates to complete the track next i year.