THE CRY FOR ROADS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 481, 10 July 1912, Page 7

THE CRY FOR ROADS.

TANGITU'S NECESSITY.

THE SETTLERS' RESPONSIBILITY

The crusade in favour of improved roads in the district is steadily growing, and it would be wise for settlers in those districts which are essentially adapted for dairying to take in hand the matter of metalling at the earliest possible date. Of all the districts in the King Country probably Tangitu is the locality where a sound, progressive roaditig scheme is the most necessary. The settlers have hitherto depended for a livelihood mainly on working for wages, either on the roads, or in the bush, with intermittent opportunities of devoting time and effort to improving their sections. Practically all the sections have now • been brought to the stage of production, and henceforth the settlers will have to direct their energies to working their properties. Fortunately, the inauguration of dairy ing affords the necessary opportunity to the settlers of making a living, and carrying on further improvements. The sections are small, and the success of the dairying project is absolutley essential to the district. One of the chief contributing factors to the successful carrying on of the dairying industry in any district is a system of good roads. The best is not any too good, and the roads which exist in Tangitu at present constitute a drawback which settlers will find it difficult to overcome. Good roads as an essential to successful dairying is such a well recognised fact that it is superfluous to labour the point. It therefore behoves every settler in the

block to consider the position carefully, with a view to taking any action which may be necessary to establish good roads. Every mile of formation which has been completed should be metalled at the earliest possible date, and every mile of uncompleted formation should be pushed through without delay. In connection with the formation work the resposnibility rests with the authorities, and no stone should be left unturned in the effort to have the work accomplished. Thfl responsibility of the metalling, or the adoption of a scheme whereby the metalling will be put in hand rests with the settlers. The main road is a difficulty which will have to ba overcome. The object lesson of the Te Kuiti-Awakino road should not be lost on the Tangitu settlers. By taking immediate action much hardship and useless expense will be saved, added to which is the significant fact that on the placing and keeping of the main road in good order rests the progress and prosperity of the settlement. This fact should appeal convincingly to both the settlers and the authorities, and by immediate action the well being to those who have pioneered the district will be assured. The settlers are now taking up their leases, and commencing to pay rent. Thirds to a considerable amount will be accruing on all the sections, and the purpose to which the thirds will be de voted id of the highest importance. It has been established beyond dispute that the best method to utilise thirds is to set them aside for paying interest and sinking fund on metalling loans, otherwise the money is frittered away in temporary patching, and no permanent benefit is derived from it. It is to be hoped the Tangitu settlers will not delay. Time is a vitally important factor in their case, and by taking early action they will be bringing prosperity to their doors in the only possible manner. The nosition of the Tangitu people for establishing aroading scheme is excellent, inasmuch as the thirds accruing on the sections will probably more than met the necessary rate to pay interest and sinking fund on a comprehensive scheme. Thus, they will be in a position to approach the Government with respect to the main road, and obtain further substantial assistance towards a sound proposition. It is to be hoped no delay will ensue with respect to taking action in the matter.