A MUCH-NEEDED ROAD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 488, 3 August 1912, Page 4

A MUCH-NEEDED ROAD.

The letter which appearß in another column advocating tho formation of the Oparure-Waitomo road, conveys some idea of the necesitios of the district, and the slowness with which the departmental mills are turned. Year after year the settlers and townspeople of To Kuiti have made efforts to have the road in question formed, but; for some unexplained cause an attitude of masterly inaction has been adopted in connection therewith by the powers that be. Roads are not luxuries; even the very best metalled roads are absolutely essential for the proper conduct of the business of farming. Unfortunately wo have not yet reached the metal era in this district, while from tho situation described in the letter referred to, the first essential in tho way of proper access to their sections is denied to some. Tho fact that within six mileß of Te Kuiti such a condition of affairs exists should provide food for neriouß thought and help to awaken people to a sense of what is necessary in order to ensure progress and prosperity. The initial progress of tho district has been enormous, but the time has ar rived when tho essential requirements of the district merit the urgent attention of tho. authorities. The district has grown after the manner of Topsy, without definite plans for the future. The irresponible, youthful stage is passing, and it is incumbent upon all to assist in giving definite shape to a policy having for its objective the systematic and thorough roading of the whole district. There are many important works demanding the attention of both town and district, and of the most urgent are those which will provide proper access to settlers who are shouldering the burden of breaking in the wilderness. That a wilderness should exist so close to the Main Trunk railway is an indication of tho irresponsible methods under which settlement has been promoted. "Ve trust the efforts of the settlers in agitating for the first essential of settlement will meet with widespread support. Another road of almost equal importance. and one which can bo constructed at a minimum of cost, is tho connection between Hangatiki and To Kuiti along the valley of the Mangaokewa. A distance of about three miles only has to be formed along a practically level grade in order to open up a fmo stretch of country. The road has been surveyed for a number of years, and is an important section of tho Main Trunk road north and south. It is to be hoped tho representations made to tho Minister for Public Works concerning the matter will have the desired effect.

The annual meeting of the Te Kuiti Racing Club will be held in Waitomo County Council Chambers on Tuesday evening next, [.when a large number of members are expected to be present. '■ Ift the report dealing with the Owhango Settlers' Association's application for a hospital, it was stated the settlers were prepared to subsidise the hospital to any amount. This should have read that these sett'era were not prepared to subsidise. The monthly meteorological return kindly furnished by Mr T. E. Foy, shows that the total rainfall for July was 7.37 ncbes, as compared with 4.7 inches for July 1911. Rain fell on thirteen days, the heaviest fall being on the 17th, when 2.50 inches were recorded.

It is rumoured that Lord Islington will be succeeded by Lord Liverpool as Governor of New Zealand. Te Kuiti Hockey Club will hold their next social and dance in the Town Hall on the 15th inst. The Rev. R. B. Gosnell deal 3 tomorrow night with the subject, "A Religion for Men." This is specially for young men of an athletic nature. The members of the football anSd hockey clubs are invited to come along in full force.

Mr A. E. Robinson, Rora street, Te Kuiti, has on several occasions granted the use of pianos for public functions, and the best thanks of the citizens are deservedly extended to him for the generous public spirit displayed.

The Rev. H. N. Drummond, who is preaching in St. Luke's Church on Sunday, has been nine years in the Melanesian Mission. He lived for about three years in Raga, one of the northern New Hebrides, and about the same time in the Santa Cruz islands. The rest of the time has been spent at the training college at Norfolk Island, and in the Mission steamer he has visited the many islands in the mission field, from the New Hebrides, Banks Islands, Torres Islands, Santa Cruz and Reef islands, and the large group of the Solomon Islands. To the children and at the evening service he will speak of the life in the isiands, which he knows so well. Mr Drummond came to New Zealand about a month ago, to represent the mission at the Consecration of the new Bishop of Melanesia, and has been speaking on behalf of the Mission in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, and is returning to the Islands early next month.