DEPUTATIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 679, 20 June 1914, Page 2

DEPUTATIONS.

(Continued from Page 5.)

■ Mr - Mostyn Jones, President of the Chamber of Commerce, sppke in Bupport of a general scheme of,, roading for the district. Thia was 1 £ matter for th» Government, bjaihg too great a thing for any local body; The speaker pointed to the Rangitoto block where roads were being made without any general scheme and such system must result in greater expanse ultimately to the Government and to the district. He suggested tbe advisability of appointing a commission to report on the matter. Regarding individual roads Mr Jones mentioned the main Wellington-Auckland road as a very necessary national work. It was also desired to'give proper access to settlers at Kopaki. Mangapeehi, and other new settlements between Te Kuiti and Taumarunui. The speaker also mentioned the Oparure-Waitomo Caves road which would complete the connection from the coast to Te Kuiti in that direction. Concerning main roada the speaker submitted that the northern portion of the Dominion was different to the south and be felt be taking over of the northern main roads by the Government would be a good move. Mr Jones also made, a plea for the completion of tbe Mangakokopu road to give direct access to Moeatoa and Marokopa. The speaker also drew the Prime Minister's attention to the necessity for an alteration to the railway timetable in order to allow children to tbe north attending Te Kuiti High School which would be shortly establishhed. Sundry alterations and improvements could also be made to the timetable at the south.

Referring to the postal facilities, Mr Jones thought manv of the drawbacks were due to the inadequate nature of the building, which he thought should be replaced by a much bigger structure. The telephone service between Te Kuiti and Auckland should also be improved, and also one or two matters in connection with mail services. Mr Massey expressed agreement with the deputation concerning the general scheme of roading. A bill would be brought down the coming session which he was sure would be a great improvement. The general question of roading was rendered more acute by the rapid growth in popularity of motor traction, and something had to be djne. The Government was alive to the necessity and would take action. Regarding tbe Auckland-Wellington road, he thought it should be completed. As to the taking over of the main roads, there was a good deal of opposition. Probably there would be some solution when the matter of local government came up for discussion. Concerning the train facilities, Mr* Massey said he would convey the representations to bis colleague with a view to meeting the requirements. As to the postal facilities, he understood the matter was due greatly to tbe amallness of the building. There was a great many applications for public buildings, but Te Kuiti would get its share. Mr W. V. Lorigan, on behalf of a number of settlers, referred to the Btopping of the practice of allowing surfacemen on the railways to run goods for settlers living along the lines who had no access by road. The settlers paid the men, who worked after hours, and also paid for tbe use of the truck. The practice had only been stopped f>r about a month and there was no apparent reason. The Prime Minister said he would he glad to make representations to his colleague and continue to assist settlers who had no roads. Mr John Ormsby, on behalf of a deputation consisting of the speaker, Messrs Hargreaves and Lorigan, urged that the surveys in connection with the proposed line between Kbwhia and the Main Trunk line should be pushed ahead. Mr Maßsey promised to obtain particulars and forward the matter. Mr John Ormsby, on behalf of the natives, referred to the restrictions on natives travelling. He paid the restrictions were lifted for a time, but recently had been again enforced. The epidemic bad never been prevalent in the district, and while the natives were wiling to submit themselves to anything reasonable, they felt tbe position at present' was rendered harsh for the whole of tbe Maoris. Mr Ormsby also referred to the sittings of the Appellate Court and Land Boards, held at Auckland. Tbe natives were compelled to go to the city and hang about the street corners waiting for their cases tu come on. He suggested these sittings of the Court and Land Board should be held in the district immediately concerned. The speaker also made reference to certain details in connection with Court procedure and made suggestions. Mr Massey said he thought the matter of railway restrictions would now be satisfactorily adjusted. He had reason to believe there would be no further trouble with the epidemic. As to the other matters he would submit them to the Native Minister for his consideration. Mr C. Middleton, on behalf of tenants under the Maori Land Board at Waimiha, requested that the Government should acquire the land from the native owners, so that the settlers could become Crown tenants with the opportunity of acquiring the freehold. Mr Maßßey said they could not force tbe owners to sell, but he would have the position investigated with a view tu arranging matters astisfactorily. Mr O'Regan requested that somebody be put in charge of Waimiha railway station. Goods were constantly being lost, and no satisfaction would be given until some officer was placed in charge of the station so that all goods had to be signed for. At present everybody helped themselveß, and losses were continually occurring. Mr Massey said similar complaints had been made in other places. He would go into the matter and have re-

presentations made to the Minister for Railways. Mr A. on behalf of a number of settlers, requested a grant for a bridge over the stream on the Ahuroa road. Messrs Finnis, James, and a dumber of Rangitoto settlers requested that greater activity be displayed in connection with the construction of the Rangitoto road. Mr Thorns dealt with matters affecting the roads in the Awakino County: The Prime Minister in each instance noted the details, and promised to do his utmost to assist in the direction requested.