TE KUITI-HANGATIKI ROAD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 465, 15 May 1912, Page 5

TE KUITI-HANGATIKI ROAD.

A road to which the County Council might profitably turn its attention is the continuation of the Te Kumi road down the valley to Hangatiki. Attention was drawn to the mater in a recent issue, and the subject will bear investigation. Those who advocate the rapiß opening up of the road have all the arguments on their side. Practically level the whole distance, it traverses the picturesque valley of the Mangaokewa, opening up some first-class dairying country, and forming a much shorter connecting link with Hangatiki than exists at present. The road has been surveyed for some years and undoubtedly would have been constructed long since had the Mangaorino road not been put through to open up the Crown land on the eastern aide of the railway. A glance at the map is sufficient to indicate the advantages of the road, and a ride down the valley furnishes convincing proof that the road is necessary. A further claim is made that by this route a much better connection between Te Kuiti and Waitomo Caves is to be had than by the suggested route through Oparure to the Caves. Almost as short in distance the grade is infinitely better, and it is contended the valley road would be the much

more popular route when the connection is made. We have no desire to advocate one road against another. Both are necessary and urgent works, and in the interests of the district should be opened up without delay. In the case of the valley road the survey has been completed throughout: the route being along the level river flats no heavy work is necessary, and the road could be quickly formed at a minimum of cost. We trust these facts will be borne in mind by the authorities. Our district already suffers from the lack of roads and every possible effort should be devoted towards attaining a complete roading policv. In the original schemes for roading projected by the Government chief attention was naturally demoted to the roading of Crown lands, and where native blocks existed unconnected with Crown lands, little attention was given them. That the road in question was regarded somewhat differently by the authorities is evidenced by the fact that the survey was completed by the Government some years ago, and the obvious intention was to push on with the construction work. That delay has occurred in carrying out the work is an added reason for expedition in the matter in future.