King Country Chronicle Wednesday, April 9th, 1913. FINANCE AND ROADS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 557, 9 April 1913, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, April 9th, 1913. FINANCE AND ROADS.

A gratifying featuie in connection with the operations of the Waitomo Cuunty Council during the past year is the amount of metalling work which has been undertaken. The work completed, together with the contracts in hand, represents a total of about fifty miles, and this should be finshed in reasonable time next season. Othe; works projected by setters in various parts of the county represent approximately another thirty or forty miles of metalling No stronger indication could exist that the district has at last awakened to the fact that the firat essential to the success of the settler is a good system of permanent roads. Unfortunately the financial stringency which at p/egent exists renders it probable that future metalling operations will cost more than those which have already been undertaken. However, the present Minister of Public Works has pronounced emphatically in favour of roads before railways, and it may be fairly assumed ttyat only the railways of vital importance to settlement, such as the Ohura line, will be carried on until the roading of the country has been placed in a more satisfactory position. The sieps outlined by the Government in the direc tion of classifying the counties have a most important bearing on the roading of this district, and it is to be hoped due recognition will be given to a district in which progress has been so rapid and widespread. The various projects already in hand for the raising of money far metalling loans indicate clearly the desire for pro gress which is animating che settlers, and every effort should be mida by ! the Government to provide monsy for the achievement of an end which is essential to the success of settlement. The infliction of the £SOOO limit to the borrowing powers of a county was doubtless necessary a* an indication that financial operations msut be restricted for a time, but the continuation of that limit will be a distinct hardship on the whole of the King Country. The metalling operations of the Waitomo County for the past year affirm the fact that at least treble the amount mentioned can be profitably expended by one county in a year. Moreover, as we have previously pointed out the work is not only profitable; it is absolutely essential to the success of settlement, and whatever branch of public work is delayed the roading must continue. At the risk of being monotonj ous, we would again emphasise the necessity for making ample provision to meet the settlers' demands for metalling loans, and we would again exhort the settlers to urge their demands with unflagging pertinacity.