King Country Chronicle Wednesday, Nov. 25th, 1914. MAIN ROAD PROBLEM.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 724, 25 November 1914, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, Nov. 25th, 1914. MAIN ROAD PROBLEM.

The newly-elected County Councils of the Dominion hold their lirst meeting to day, and the policies of these important local bodies will doubtless be the subject of widespread interest. As far db the Waitotno County is concerned it must be recognised that the Council has inaugurated and carried through a great amount of progressive work, and that a policy of progreES must be maintained hi order to provide for the rapid deve'opment which i'b proceeding in the district. While the Council is deserving of every comrnendation tot its progressive measures it is not claimed that the administration of the local parliament has been perfedt in detail, or adequate in every particular. In a rapidly growing district in which problems of a somewhat complex nature have to bo considered and dealt with there iB bound to be a diversity of opinion, and the experience gainel by each succeeding Council is inevitably baßed on mistakes as well as on wuccesseß. In respect to one important work in the County it is to be sincerely hoped the experience of the past will guide the Council to definite action. The main road from Te Kuiti to Pio Pio has been a bug-hear to settlers and Council ever since local government was established in the County, and the longer action is delayed the greater will be the troubles and difficulties of all parties concerned. Had a scheme on the lines suggested by Mr C. If. Wilson, member for the district, and advocated ntrnngly in these columns, been carried into effect, the difficulties attaching to the main road problem would have been overcome, and action in the direction indicated ia still desirable The uncertainty bb to Government action in respect to main roads, and the many interests which have to be considered, together with the proposal to construct a light railwayto serve the outdiaticts have all contributed to hinder definite and comprehensive action in the matter by the local body. The unpleasant fact remains, however, that the main road problem still exists, and no definite scheme is promoted to meet the situation. We have always contended that apart from any other project the proper construction and maintenance of the road in question is of vital importance to the district. It is unnecessary at present to reiterate arguments which have been bo frequently used in this connection, and the fact that a serious menace confronts the settlers Berved by the road should inspire the local authority to definite action. Provision has been made by Parliament for special assistance to main roads, and it is reasonably certain that any well considered scheme for meeting the existing difficulty will be subsidised by the Government. Experience, has shown that the settlers gain nothing and lose a great deal by waiting for anticipated Government expenditure on the road, and by taking definite action to en sure the proper construction and permanent maintenace of such on important thoroughfare the Council will be erecting a monument to its efficiency and devotion to the interests of the district.