King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18, 1912 ROADING RESPONSIBILITIES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 501, 18 September 1912, Page 4

King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18, 1912 ROADING RESPONSIBILITIES.

The necessity for a definite and statesmanlike roads policy is becoming more urgent as aetlement increases throughout the North Island. As far as the King Country is concerned the necessity is becoming so acute that unless adequate provision is made in respect to roads extreme hardship is bound to accrue, and the country will experience a severe setback. In bygone years when the land hunger was not so insistent; when the land was taken up in large areas, and was mainly devoted to wool growing the roading question did not bulk so largely among the impurtant essentials of the country. With the growing scarcity of good land and the advent of close settlement the providing of goods roads became a vital factor in the progress and prosperity of our country. The clue recognition of this principle is evidenced by the fact that provision is made in all Crown settlements for roading.and the land is loaded to a certain extent for road formation. Under ideal conditions where no special features present themselves the provision thus made may be found sufficient, providing the settlers are able to raise special loans to complete the work as nescessity arises. Unfortunately, in the North Island owing to the existence of large tracts of native-owned land, the settlement which has been undertaken by the Government has been of a patch work character. Roading provisions which might have been adequate had settlement proceeded in an uninterrupted chain from railway or port have proved entirely insufficient to fulfill the needs of certain districts throughout which Crown settlement is dotted in blissful disregard of surrounding conditions. The Government undertook an impossible task in attempting to conserve the native lands and carry out a settlement policy at the same time. Chaos has resulted, and all thoughtful and public spirited people realise that the task which confronts the Administration is one of no light nature. The suggestion thrown out by the Minister for Public Works concerning the Te Kuiti-Taumarunui road that the work should be undertaken by the local body, or by the settlers whose properties would become enhanced in value by the road being constructed, is the first which naturally occurs to those who have not an intimate acquaintance with local conditions. It is manifestly impossible for the local body to undertake the work except n n behalf of the settlers affected, who could only finance the undertaking by means of a special loan. That the settlers, who in most cases are leaseholders of - native owned land, should be called upon to undertake such a comprehensive roading policy as is necessary, is a severe penalty for pioneering the country. Administrative action, or inaction, decreed that the native lands should be settled in the manner which has been adopted, and those settlers who have gone on to the land in roadless districts are surely worthy of some consideration for the great work they are accomplishing in bringing the waste spaces of the Dominion into cultivation and production. The decision of the Minister may be designed to react upon those who have indulged in speculation in native lands, and who seek merely to make a a profit from the enhancement in values due to any public works which may be carried out, and the insistent land hunger. However laudable such a policy may appear it surely savours of crudity in administration to penalise the bona fide settler in the endeavour to saddle the speculator with his legitimate responsibilities. There are methods of dealing with the speculator as defined from the bona fide settler, and the correct method to adopt in the case under review it is the bounden duty of the administration to discover, and apply, without loss of time.

A Press Association telegram states that Lyall Watson, aged seven, who was knocked down by a tram car in Hobson street Auckland, yesterday, died on the way to the hospital. The return football match, under "Soccer" rules, between To Kuiti and Mangapehi clubs, will be played on Te Kuiti Domain on Saturday next;, commencing at 1 p.m. Wh'un these tenuis mot at Mangapehi ;i couple of weeks ago a drawn game was the result, so that a close game should bo witnessed on Saturday. The adjourned annual general meeting of the To Kuiti Lawn Tennis Club will be held in tho Chronicle office on Monday evening next. Tho meeting, which should have been held on Monday last, lapsed from tho want of a quorum. As there will be a lot of important business to transact, especially in connection with tho new courts, it is hoped that all members will attend. Miss Valerie Collins and her company of talonted artists, will submit a high class programme in the Town | Hall, Te Kuiti, on Wednesday, October 2nd. Miss Collins is a New Zealander, and is said to be possessed of a contralto voice of unusual range, fine quality and vibrating resonance. The critiques which have appeared in leading papers throughout Australia and New Zealand, predict for Miss Collins a great future. Mr N. Madison Cardon, monologuist and comic sketch artist, also comas with a good reputation. Other members of the company are said to have undoubted ability. Altogether the entertainment should prove to bo one lof the best yet submitted in tho district.

Next Friday evening a very interesting picture will screened by the Hayward Picture Co., o£ the great Rugby football match between Auckland and Wellington. This picture will bo shown only on Friday night and should appeal to all lovers of Rugby. Mr Graham has a largo and assorted catalogue of entries for Saturday's sale. See advertisement for particulars. Wo also remind clients of the Sunnyside estate auction sale on Thursday, 26th inst. In to-day'B issue Mr Graham has a preliminary notice of the sale by auction of Mr Earl's household effects, as also horse, gig and harness. The sale takes place on 27th inst., at 1.30 at his residence, Otorohanga. Mr Graham advertises in to-day's issue a grand show on behalf of Mr J. Walker, of Auckland, the wellknown fancier of pot garden, and other plants, choice birds in endless variety. Mr Walker will bo in attendance up to the time of sale, and intending buyers will have the advantage of his export knowledge of birds, plants, etc., which has been the study of a lifetimo with Mr Walker.

Uncle Seth says: "Ye can't tell the taste of a chicken by the looks of its feathers," but fine feathers count, just the same. Whsn a cabman hails a pedestrian it's a compliment to the fellow's tailor. Some men look as though a 'bus wouldn't stop for them. In his replace announcement Mr A, J. Boughton assures men of perfect fit and faultless style in 3uits made by his expert tailors. Mr N. 0. Morgan, of the local staff of the Union bank, left by this morning's south express on a month's leave of absence. Yesterday Mr Youren on behalf of his fellow officers presented Mr Morgan, in view of his approaching marriage, with a case of pipes, also from himself with a cheque, at the same time in a few words conveying to Mr Morgan the best wishes of hiß brother officers. Mr E. D. Gilmer, accountant at Hamilton branch, is temporarily relieving at To Kuiti. At the Druids' Lodge meeting, held last night, two new candidates were initiated to the Order, and an amount of business put through. Arrangements are being made to have s some of the Grand Lodge officers present to address a public meeting to be held shortly, setting forth the great benefits of Druidism, and otherwise explaining the privileges attachable to members of such an Order. As these officers have a thorough knowledge of the position the Druids hold in the Dominion to-day, some interesting facts may. be gleaned from their spoeches, and those who at present look upon Friendly Societies as expensive institutions will hear much to alter their opinions.

It is hoped that the Order generally will be greatly benefitted by their addresses, of which further notice will be given later. The Rev. Lamond will be the speaker in connection with the Methodist Church services next Sunday. Mr Lamond has the reputation of being a very finished speaker and well worth hearing. Replying to a statement by Mr Wilford in Parliament yesterday, the Prime Minister said he was opposed to the abolition of the Upper House. Two Guineas for four lines of poetry! Read Tonking's Linseed Emulsion intimation every Saturday amongst news items.-'