ROADING THE BACKBLOCKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 538, 1 February 1913, Page 5

ROADING THE BACKBLOCKS.

j DISCUSSED BY CONFERENCE. i SUGGESTIONS FROM LOCAL BODIES. A large number "f remits dealing with roads were scheduled for discussion at the conference of the Backblock Local Bodies Association on Wednesday. The majority of these were condensed into a motion proposed by the president, Mr A. Scholes, as follows: —"That in the opinion of this conference the time has arrived for the Government to adopt a new system with regard to the opening up of new country, and this confer ence has the following recommendation to make:—That a comprehensive scheme of roading be arrived at for each particular district so that all roads formed in such district shall be in conformity with such scheme; that all lands benefitted by such roading scheme whether native or European and whsther already occupied or not, shall be equally loaded to help defray the cost of such roads, such loading to be collected by the Government, and handed over to the local bodies interested, main arterial roads to be excepted; that the local bodies interested should have power to raise ioans sufficient for any scheme of roading which they may consider necessary, and strike a rate to cover interest and sinking fund on the same without taking the poll of ratepayers, provided that any ratepayer may have the right to object to his inclusion in such scheme in a manner similar to that at present in force."

Speaking in support of the suggestions the chairman said' they were all aware some alteration to the present system was necessary. As to the loading of lands for roads there was no doubt the native lands should be treated in the same manner as Crown land. In order for settlement to proceed roads had to bu made to give access to Crown lands, and these roads benefitted much native land. The Grown were loaded to meet the cost of the work, and the native lands should be treated similarly. As to the suggested authority to local bodeis to raise loans for roading purposes the speaker referred to th« difficulties of the present system and urged a simplification in order to obviate delay and facilitate the work in every respect. Mr Kennington, Clifton, referring to the suggestion to raise money without going to the ratepayers, said already local bodies had authority to raise money by getting a certain majority of ratepayers agreed. Mr Ford, Kaitieke, said that at present there was no system. He instanced the case of North Waimarino where a considerable area of land was reserved for milling purposes. Be hind there was a considerable settlement which was served by bridle tracks, The Government had made dray roads through portion of the land, but tha people at the back still had only bridle tracks. The people who were without roads were desirous of raising loans to construct roads, but found that it would be imposssible to carry any proposal as manv of the settlers already had roads constructed by the Government. He supported the recommendations. Major Lusk, Messrs Ryan, Meredith and Bacon supported the suggestions which were adopted.