ROADING THE DISTRICT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 477, 26 June 1912, Page 6

ROADING THE DISTRICT.

THE MAIN ROAD PROBLEM. EVOLVING A SCHEME. NO. 11. In view of the importance of the Ta Kuiti-Awakino road, and the manner in which several large districts are affected by the state of the road, it was inevitable that the progressive settlers should agitate strenuously, and persistently, to eltacfc an improvement in conditions. No reasonable person could declare himself satisfied with the conditions, and the naturally sane action for a reasonable community was to co-operate of the general good. Past action usually took the form of representations to the Government for the purpose of obtaining increased grants. Owing to : various causes the progress made with the metalling under the Government administration has been painfully slow. In gumming up the position many features have to be taken into consideration. One factor with which we are all conversant ia the weather. As a rule work had to be stopped in April and could not be recommenced until the following November or December. Again, grants could not be anticipated to any extent; teams and labour were at times difficult to procure unless exorbitant rates were paid, while the state of the public exchequer sometimes demanded a curtailment. Other influences, no doubt, contributed their share towards holding back the wurk, but suffiicent has been said on the point to indicate that the grant sys--1 tern is open to considerable improvement. Prior to the bringing into j operation of the Counties Act in tne district, no other system was possible, | but within the past few ysars the authorities have awakened to the fact that an alteration is -desirable. An indication of the policy to be adopted is |found in the fact tbtft grants in most instances are now handed over to the local bodies to expend, and subsidies are being freely granted for installing loans. Much can be said in favour of the subsidy system as compared tfith the old order of things, and the that it is being widely welcomed by settlers in new districts is clear evidence of its popularity. One of the weak spots in connection with the question of subsidies for loans ia the uncertainty as to whether subsidies will ba granted to meet all cases. As yet there has been no definite system evolved, and the sooner the matter is placed on a permanent basis the sooner will the work of roading the new country be accomplished. However, though the Authorities are not definitely pledged in the matter, sufficient evidence exists in this district to show that in every instance where settlers take the initiative, and show an anxiety to help themselves the Government is equally anxious to assist. Considerable stress has been laid upon the fact that the Te Kuiti-Awakino road is a main arterial thoroughfare, and it is assumed in consequence that it is the duty of the Government to complete the work of metalling it before handing it over to the county. Nobody in this district will combat either the statement or the assumption. No definite policy has ever been laid down in connection with the work and no fixed responsibility has been mined. It is thereforo opqn to our settlers to advocate in the strongest possible manner that the responsibility rest with the Government. On the other hand it is so glaringly apparent that Government control of the metalling is not in the best interests of the settlers, or of the Dominion, that it is the manifest duty of every individual to agitate in the strongest possible manner for some more advantageous manner of carrying out the works. It is a recognition of this fact that is impelling the settlers to take action in the matter, and the well acknowledged fact that the Government are anxious to help those who evince a desire to help themselves naturally points the way for the settlers to take in hand a comprehensive scheme for accomplishing the work on the best possible lines. The objective to be aspired to by all is the adoption of a scheme which will result in the metalling of the roads in the shortest possible time, in the most economical manner. Quickness and economy must necessarily be the foundation stones upon which the fabric of any scheme must be erected. Another cardinal feature is Government assistance, but it can be taken for granted that any Government will be only too glad t« contribute to any scheme which will relieve it of an immense responsibility, and place the reading of the district on a permanent basis. Assuming that the metalling of the main road is the responsiiblity of the Government there is every reason to claim that a substantial subsidy should be granted for that work. On the surface it appears as though the Government should be urged to grant sufficient to metal the road entirely. It has to be remembered, however, that by granting a loan and subsidy the Government, will be capitalising the grants and will have to provide money on demand which would otherwise be spread over a number of years. Moreover, the settlers will be deriving such an immediate and enduring benefit from the capitalising process that it will be entirely to their interest to adopt the loan and subsidy, and have the work done on their own terms. The experience of the past can hardly fail to convince them of the desirableness of quick and economical construction, and it is apparent to all that the benefits derivable from a well planned work outweigh any possible advantage to be g2ined by waiting for the Government to carry on the work at its own guod time. An important feature to which due weight should be given is the fact that no matter who metals the main road in the first instance the important question of liability is bound to crop up later on. There is no doubt liability for the metalling and upkeep of the main

road should be distributed widply among all who commonly use the road. It will, however, be a matter of considerable difficulty in future to have matters placed on a proper and sound basis, providing the present opportunity is allowed to pass. If for no other reason than the one just mentioned both settlers and Government should hail with acclamation a scheme which is to settle such an important question for all Seldom is such a golden opportunity presented and in grasping it the settlers will be doing both themselves and the public generally an inestimable service. Think it over. Ponder on it, and the more you think the more impressed you will be.