King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1912. THE AWAKINO COUNTY.
One of the most difficult as it is one of the moat important questions which naturally arise in the settlement of a huge district such as the King Country is the establishing of reasonable and proper county boundaries. The importunes remains and the difficulty increases when the essential feature of access (Miters into the subject. In thfljf'V early .stages of settlement certaifi natural centres are chosen, and from tin •se thu sphere of influence is usually decreed by certain obvious features and community of interest. This course has been followed in respect to-
I the counties which have been created hitherto in the King Country. Little difficulty has been experienced in arriving at an adjustment of boundaries, but as settlement increases it
is becoming apparent that in extending local government to the remaining portion of the district special care will require to be exercised in order to conserve the jbest interests of every section of the community. In the matter of the Awakino County it is widely held that the general interests Will best be conserved by apportioning that county among the various operative counties adjacent to it. Natural division line 3 exist in most instances, with the exception of the northern portion, and the question as to where the division between Waitomo and Kawhia Counties should be struck is arousing keen interest. Had the geographical situation only to be considered it is probable the Kawhia County would be held to be the natural parent body to that part of the district, but with the spread of settlement, and the development of the county it is being made apparent that the permanent controlling influences of the distirct will centre on the Main Trunk railway. The interests of any farming district are not confined to the locality in which the industry is carried on. Prosperity and progress only arrive and permanently exist as a result of facili:es provided for tthe rapid and uninterrupted interchange of trade with other districts and counties. Fre-
quent and convenient markets and proper means of transit are vitally necessary to the prosperity of any farming ditsrict, and with closer settlement the necessity for these facilities becomes accentuated. With a fine stretch of coastal frontage it is unfortunate that portion of the district does not possess a suitable harbour. The Marokopa river affords the means for a limited trade at present, but a3 the country becomes settled and trade expands it will be found,increasingly difficult to serve the settlers by water. In any case it is obvious that the establishing of proper communication with the Main Trunk railway will serve the settlers both in the matter of local markets and as a means of access to the world markets. Facilities such as these cannot be over estimated in planning the future of a district, and it is to be hoped due weight will be given to such fact when the matter of division come up for consideration. The settlers in the northern port'.un of the county are extremely anxious to bring the county into operation with a view to a proper adjustment. During last session of Parliament steps were taken to give effect to this desire, and a Bill was passed enabling the counties of Awakino, and East and West Taupo to be brought into operation on the Governor's proclamation. Unfortuntely the grouping of the counties defeated the object, as the Taupo district is not sufficiently advanced to warrant the operation of the Counties Act. It is intended during the coming session to remedy the mistake, and matters will then be in train for dealing separately with Awakino. Any step 3 taken in the direction of apportioning the county should have the utmost consideration. The settlers are deeply 2fxected, as upon tn 0 wise discrimina-
tion and public spirit of the majority in dealing with the case depends much of the future prosperity of the district.
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King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 463, 8 May 1912, Page 4
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659King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1912. THE AWAKINO COUNTY. King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 463, 8 May 1912, Page 4
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