King Country Chronicle Saturday, April 18th, 1914 LOCAL BODIES' CONFERENCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 661, 18 April 1914, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, April 18th, 1914 LOCAL BODIES' CONFERENCE.

The importance of the gathering held this week at Taumaranui under the auspices of the Backblocks Local Bodies' Association is indicated to a degree by the various subjects dealt with and the recommendations made thereon. The different phases of the great roading question were discussed from the brcedest possible standpoint, and the spirit of progress which dominated the meeting was a gratifying indication that the King Country local bodies do not intend to allow the settlement and progress of this great territory to b9 prejudicially affected for lack of interest and energy in representing its needs. The roading necessities of the district have been so frequently expounded in these columns that it is unnecessary to repeat in de tail the arguments used at the conference. Thß roading question may be summarised under three headings: the roading of native lands; main arterial roads; and general roading. The most earnest consideration was given to the matter of roading native land 3, and whether or not the recom mendation made by the conference be agreed with in all points it should have the effect of kseping a highly important factor in local progress prominently before the authorities. It may b9 safely assumed that any native lands dealt with in future will have roading conditions attached, and complications are therefore not likely to arise in respect to them. The position of the nativa tends already acquired, however, is far from satisfactory, and as we have repeatedly pointed out, the evil which has arisen can only be remedied by the adoption by the Government of a comprehensive scheme of roading on suitable lines. Whether or not the Government will be induced to take action on the lines indicated rests largely with the people most deeply interested, and it is to be hoped the recommendations of the conference will be urged upon the Ministers with sufficient force to render action imparative. In connection with main arterial roads the suggestions made at the conference are well worthy of consideration, and there is good reason to hope that some means will Lie adopted of dealing broadly with this important question. On the. face of things it is manifest that any action taken must be of a broad and comprehensive nature, and entirely removed from parochial influence. Sufficient prominence has been given to the matter of late to bring the subject before the attention of the authorities, and there is little fear of the question being allowed to be dormant.

In respect to general roading matters one of the most important items dealt with was the remit by the Awakino with reference to the issuing of authorities for the expenditure of grantß as soon as possible after the passing of the Public Works Estimates. The time during which road work can be carried out to advantage is limited to the few months of summer.and unless plans are approved and contracts let before Christmas there is little hope of much work being accomplished during the saason. The suggestion made at the conference that plans should be immediately approved so as to allow the local authority, if necessary, to car/y on the work aad finance it through the bank until the grant or subsidy is forthcoming from the Government, is one which will be widely supported. The starting of a contract early in spring often means the completion of the work before winter sets in, while any delay in commencing the work may hang up the contractor through the winter, and result in losa to all parties concerned. No

effort should be spared to bave this important matter satisfactorily adjusted. The interests affected are widespread, and it would pay the local bodies; the settlers, and the contractors to have an adjustment on the lines indicated. Not the least important feature of the conference was the decision arrived at have the Association duly registered, and have rules adopted under which the Association can work. The functions of such a body are altogether different from the discussion of merely parochial questions and by the adoption of regulations setting forth the aims and objects of the Association, and the manner in which the business is to be carried or. the delegates will be guided on lines consistent with the aspirations of such a representative organisation,

All ladies interested in the A. and P. Association are requested to meet the gentlemen's committee on Tuesday, April 21st, at 3 p.m., in the Borough Council Chambers, for the purpose of holding a ball. A meeting of the Te Kuiti Musical and Dramatic Society is to be held on Tuesday evening, when the elcetion of a committee will take place, and the programme for the season discussed.

Meetings of householders for the election of school committees in this district wi 1 fce held in the various centres on May 4th. The meeting at Te Kuiti will be held in the school at 7 p.m.

' £Mr N. |c. Innes, who has been contracting for some time in this district, waß married on Wednesday, April Bth, to Miss Parker, of Opunake, at the home of the bride. Mr and Mrs Innes arrived at Te Kuiti on Wednesday last, and intend taking up their residence at Oparure.

In connection with the extensive bank note forgeries recently discovered in Auckland it is of local interest to lear" that the note from which the forgeries were made was issued by the Te Kuiti branch of the Bank of New Zealand, and bears the signatures of Messrs T. E. Foy, manager, and N. Wallace, accountant.

In connection with tbe porposed loan for the river deviation scheme promoted by the Borough Council the Mayor. Mr J. Boddis, intends to call a public meeting on the Monday evening prior to the taking of the poll. The scheme will be exlained in detail, and the plan of the work exhibited, and ratepayers will have the opportunity of mastering the details before being asked to vote on the proposal.

In the course of tbe Farmers' Union picnic at Ruakura State Farm, Mr R. F- Bollard, MP., urged the claims of Ruakura as the site of a North Island agricultural college. The Premier, referring to the subject, said he did not know where the new agricultural college for the North Island would be, but when the time came for choosing the Bite he had no doubt that the claims of Ruakura would receive every consideration, both from the Government and the Board of Agriculture, upon which body he congratulated the farmers of the Waikato for having such a capable representative as Mr Richard Reynolds.

I At the annual conference of tbe National Teachers* Association, London. Miss Croxon moved that there should be equal pay for man and women, asserting that the girls, as the future mothers of tbe race, were every whit aB important as the coming fathers. One man interjected: "Drop this silly physiological drivel," another remarking that teaching was rapidly becoming a women's profession, and that the male teacher would soon be as extinct as the dodo. The proposal was defeated by an overwhelming majority. In replying to a deputation from the Auckland Farmers' Unoin at Auckland, the Prime Minister explained the Government's policy regarding worker's homes in country districts. He pointed out that under the Act of last session county and borough councils had tje power to erect workers' homes. Land was also being purchased by the Government in country districts for workers' homes, and these would be built as funds allowed. The Act at present limited the size of rural sections to five acres, which he considered to be sufficient for first-clasa land, but not enough for second and third-class land, so next session he would probably introduce an amendment to remedy the defect. For children's hacking cough at night Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, Is 6d and 2s 6d.