THE TANGITU ROAD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 445, 6 March 1912, Page 5

THE TANGITU ROAD.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INTERESTED. At Inst night's meeting of the Chamber of Commerce the matter of the main road from Waimiha to Tangitu was dealt with, and the following resolution was passed unanimously: That this meeting bring before the Government the urgent necessity fur immediate steps being taken to open the road from Waimiha railway station to Tangitu, first in the interests of a large body of struggling settlers, and second in the interests of the general settlement of the district. In proposing the motion .Mr Boddie said he had been at Tangitu on several occasions, and had only just, returned from a four days' trip to the settlement. An area of about, l-UKiO acres had been cut up into '.>() small sections ranging, from 1".o to I'.IO acres on which there was a population of over 4T)O people. The land was excellent, being quite equal to the best Taranaki bush country. The settlement was under the Improved Earn; system and the Government had done all that was provided for under those conditions. The settlers had no complaint to make. Naturally a great deal of roading had been necessary to provide access to so many small sections and the block had been loaded for roading purposes. A great proportion of the money had been spent; partly on the man road, and [tartly on the block roads. The sett!ers_ had worked hard and while making a living by road work had also improved their sections. The great majority were going to be successful settlors. Still they were faced with the hard fact that, on a main road of eight; miles it was only possible to convey goods even in summer by pack horses. The result was that the produce of the block could not be conveyed to the railway, and to get even the necessaries of life to the. settlement meant an increase of at least a hundred per cent.on the cost. To pack in a bag flour, which cost lis (id at Waimiha, meant an extra cost of 12s to the settler, and a settlsr who sent out two bales of wool had to pay away a third of the return for carriage. It was an impossibility for these conditions to continue and the strongest possible efforts should be made to alleviate the position. The late Mr Armstrong, Commissioner of Crown Lands, for the district, visited Tangitu a few months ago and was so impressed with the urgency of the matter that he immediately telegraphed to the authorities urging the completion of the road. The local road engineer was aware of the urgency of the work and was prepared to do its utmostfo carry it through as soon as the authority was issued. As instancing the urgency of the work Mr Boddie said that as scon as bums had been obtained at least eighty tons of grass seed would be required besides wire and necessaries. It was imperative in the interests of the country that work should be started immediately and should be kept going until the road was open for wheel trathe. At. least five miles required metalling and good gravel was obtainable from the river at Waimiha. For the remainder pumice was available. One of the finest settlements ever attempted was on the eve of being made or broken, and a tremendous responsibility rested with the Government. If the road was opened prosperity would be achieved. If it was not the settlers would have to come out. The settlers had decided to send a deputation to Wellington on the matter and the- cooperation of the Chamber would be appreciated. Furthermore, it was needed and should be given. Mr Boddie stated he had seen Mr Scholes, County chairman on the matter. Mr Scholes was at present in Wellington on County business, and would use his best efforts to have the work put in hand. Dr Fullerton. who seconded the motion, corroborate; 1 . Mr Boddie'a statement as to the nature of the road and the prospects of the district. Mr Graham, .Major Lusk and the chairman spoke in support of the motion, which was carried unanimously. It was decided, that a letter should be sent from the Chamber setting forth the urgency of the ease and that Mr Boddie be supported! in his representations to the authorities.