ROADING THE DISTRICT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 481, 10 July 1912, Page 3

ROADING THE DISTRICT.

ADVANTAGE TO GOVERNMENT. EFFECT ON SETTLEMENT. MARCH OF PROGRESS. No. VI. The previous articles have been devoted to showing cause why the scheme shuuld be adopted by the settlers. It is just as necesssary to prove that the scheme is in the interests of the Dominion, and advance weighty reasons for claiming such a large Bubsidy from the Government. As a matter of fact, the Government will require to rind the whole of the capital necessary to carry to the work, and in advancing £64,000 will only receive security for the repayment of half the amount; that is providing the subsidy is granted. Before proceeding to advance reasons for claiming the Government assistance it 'may be as well to again refer briefly to the chief attractions of the scheme as far as the settlers are concerned.

The fact that the responsibility for the main road Would be equitably distributed over the whole area served by the road, and that what what would otherwise be a matter of keen contention for years to come will be definitely settled, is of immense importance. Should a patchwork policy be adopted, with each small district caring for its own particular road, or section of road, the question of the main arterial thoroughfare would be bound to cause interminable trouble. The main thoroughfare would naturally suffer, and each district would be detrimentally affected in consequence. Thus, from a strictly commonsense standpoint, and in the interests of every section, and every settler, within the proposed area the adoption of the scheme is advisable. It is needless to dwell on the financial aspect of the scheme as it affects the settler. Sufficient has been said to indicate that the scheme affords an opportunity to settlers of getting good roads at half, or less than half, what it would cost them to get the same roads by the patchwork system. Even if considerably mure • than the estimated eighty miles of roading is undertaken, in order to metal more of the by-roads, the necessary rate will fall far below the cost of any other smaller scheme. Thus the strictly business aspect of the proposal is immensely attractive, and it is inconceivable that people alive to their own interests will refuse to seize the opportunity. HOW GOVERNMENT BENEFITS. The advantages to the Government by the adoption of the scheme are manifold, though in some respects of a more indirect nature. However, they are sufficiently great to make the scheme highly desirable in the interests of the Dominion. In addition to the advantages derivable, there are also certain obligations and responsibilities attaching to the matter which no Government can ignore. The fact that the road is a main arterial thoroughfare, subject to a great amount of traffic between Auckland and Taranaki provinces, cannot be gainsaid. Furthermore, it traverses a great amount of native-owned country much of which is unratable, or only partially ratable. Previous administrations have expended a great amount of money on metalling, and in endeavouring to keep the road open for traffic, and have thus recognised a special responsibility in connection with the road. As was pointed out in a previous article, the annual grant on the road for some years past has been from three to four thousand pounds. This amount, owing to various circumstances, suffices for only a small amount of /permanent work, a considerable portion of it being devoted to temporary patching for the purpose of keeping the road open for traffic. By granting the necessary assistance to the proposed scheme this large annual expenditure would be done away with. Again, on many of the by-roads contained in the proposed area grants are annually made, and expended in temporary work. In short, the necessity for Government grants on the roads comprised in the scheme would cease, and the Government would thus be relieved of a very great responsibility. Obviously, to capitalise the grants in the form of a subsidy, and clothe the settlers with the responsibility of thenceforth carrying out their own roading (under proper supervision) would re move a constant source of agitation and irritation, and result in better work being accomplished. One of the great drawbacks to the successful roading of the district has been the existence of considerable tracts of native-owned land, which were unratable for roading purposes. Much of this land is still unratable, or only partially ratable, and it is obviously unfair, that the land in European occupation should bear the burden of the unratable lands. There is also considerable work to be done in widening, and preparing the roads for metal, which work may fairly be claimed to be the responsibility of the Crown. It may be reasonably held that adequate provision should have been made to give settlers proper access, by roads of sufficient width and formation, when opening the land for settlement, and in order to meet any shortcomings in this respect the subsidy is necessary. It cannot be doubted, moreover, that the accomplishment of the scheme would result in largely increased returns from the whole district, and a quickening of commercial activity which would contribute very considerably* to the prosperity of the Dominion. New settlement would be encouraged, and an enhanced value given to all the Crown landß in the district, and this, together with the increased production generally, constitutes a further irrefutable reason in favour of the Government regarding with the eye of favour the scheme as outlined.

DETAILS O x F FINANCE. It would, of course, be impossible to carry, out such a comprehensive scheme with the waving of a magic wand, and proper arrangements would require to be made in the event of the scheme being accepted, to draw a fixed amount annually in order to complete the maximum amount of work each season. These, however, are matters of detail for the parties to consider, and require the advice of a competent engineer, possessing in addition to engineering skill, a sound conception of the potentialities and requirements of the district. Much depends upon the type of man. His knowledge of the district will be almost as important a factor as his engineering ability. In such a big, scheme some diversity of opinion is bound to arise concerning the relative claims of certain works. By the exercise of sound judgment, based on local knowledge, the official in charge can do much to cement differences and surmount obstacles, which : might otherwise create grievances. A DISTRICT COMMITTEE. However the scheme, as outlined, may be regarded by all, or any, of those interested the formation of a thoroughly representative committee cannot be too strongly urged. The scheme, which it has been endeavoured to outline requires yet an immense amount of elaboration to reduce it to an exact and workable proposition. Such work can only be acomplished, in the interests of all concerned, by capable representatives from each district. Whether the scheme be accepted or rejected, after careful investigation and mature de liberation, much valuable information will have been acquired, which will prove of incalculable benefit in future efforts towards progress. A good suggestion has been made that the councillors for the ridings affected,- in the Waitomo County, should call the ratepayers together, with a view to united action; and appoint representatives on a committee to work in conjunction with representatives appointed by settlers in the Awakino County. The work of the committee is mußh too important to be approached in a parochial spirit, and each individual included in the proposed area has an equal right to be heard on the subject. Everything considered, however, the leaders of action in the matter should undoubtedly be the people's repesentatives on the local body. By virtue of their office and of their greater knowledge of the affairs of local bodies generally, they are equipped for the work ahead, and it is to be hoped the importance of the occasion will appeal strongly to them. With every confidence in the sense of public duty, which must actuate the men who ungrudgingly devote their efforts to the public weal, the matter is left. A PLEA FOR PROGRESS. In conclusion, the settlers are urged to aproach the subject in the broadest spirit possible. These articles have been inspired by an earnest desire to treat the subject from the standpoint of the public good, and for the purpose of aiding a movement calculated to immeasurably benefit the whole district. In investigating the scheme points will doubtless arise, and side issues crop up, which have not been touched on. These will all meet with due consideration at the hands of a properly constituted committee. It is therefore the manifest duty of each settler to further the election of representatives who will give valuable assistance towards the production of a finished scheme, which can be advocated by the united voice of the whole community.