PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 745, 13 February 1915, Page 2

PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION.

SYSTEM OP CONTROL. AWAKINO COUNTY SETTLERS' POSITION. By"Pionerr." For many years a, considerable amount of dissatisfaction has been prevalent amongst settlers in the Awakino County, with the exception of a small number within a limited radius of Awakino, with respect to the headquarters of Public Works administration. They long have held and contended that the large area of territory referred to has been the tag end of an unwieldy district, controlled from Taranaki. Their interests have been practically disregarded by officials, and during the past few years this has been more pronounced. Ever since settlement commenced in the Awakino County settlers have been annually reminded in a truly forcible manner of the inclinations of Taranaki Public Works officials, by a perusal of the Estimates, which have been but signposts pointing to Taranaki. That this policy of the Public Works Departmet is in direct conflict with the plans and intentions of settlement of earlier days is manifest. When the Maip Trunk railway was being put through, roads were commenced and designed in the King Country to run from the railway to the coast. Yet settlers who took up their holdings in the anticipation and direct understanding of communication to the Main Trunk line have been humbugged and thwarted for the past dozen years, by nothing more or less, than dual control; that is, two engineering staffs each pulling in the direction of the location of his headquarters, irrespective of the absolute and direct interest of settlers. This has been exactly what has occurred in the King Country districts lying west of the railway, one half being controlled from headquarters at the railway, and the other half of the same road being controlled from Taranaki, wiih which settlers have not a single iota of interest. Of the four routes which traverse the Awakino County from the coast to the railway the settlers along each route have a common interest, and it certainly is only sana and sound business on their part to insist on the completion and maintenance of their respective routes. And that should be the willing policy of the Public Works Department without having to be continually reminded by settlers where their business interests lie. Settlers going into a new district very Boon ascertain for themselves the mast advantageous point with which to conduct their business, and when the Government of the day, who put them on the land, failed to give them road 6 to begin with, in order to prosecute settlement successfully, is it not equitable and just that their representation for mai?i roads required, should be given due consideration, and not subject to veto of Public Works officials.

Three of the routes through the Awakino County have suffered in that direction, and probably the fourth one —the Te Kuiti-Awakino road would have had a similar fate only that it was pushed though as a main arterial road to join up the Auckland and Taranaki provinces. The result, therefore, has been that the vast area of country, known as the Waikawau, Mangaotaki, Marokopa, Kiritehere, Moeatoa, Pomorangei, and Te Anga districts have been denied access to the Main Trunk line by nothing more or lsss than the want of geographical knowledge of the Public Works officials responsible. What earthly excuse can be offered for forming roads on the coastal side a certain distance and leaving unfinished portions in the middle, cutting off settlers from the work already pushed ahead from the railway, and getting up speed with a road running a little way inland from the coast to New Plymouth: an almost unused route, on which two thousand pounds has been expended for every ten pounds spent in giving these settlers access to the railway. Four years ago there was a re-dis-tribution of Public Works control, and the portion of the Awakino County referred to was placed under the supervision of the Te Kuiti office. For some reason or other it was re-trans-ferrediback to Taranaki, without any knowledge of the settlers. I understand that the engineer in charge in Te Kuiti had definitely made up his mind as to the importance of the Te Kuiti-Marokopa and Mangapohue routes which he intended to urge and push through with all possible speed. Therefore, had a fair thing been done by Bettlers under this new management, these roads would have been open for traffic to-day. This points out that the position of headquarters in the matter of direction, is a necessary factor in the carrying out of a comprehensive roading policy in the interests of settlers. If, for example, the L'e Kuiti-Marokopa road is being controlled as far as Mangaohae from the railway, why not on to Marokopa; and likewise the oiher routes which are in a similar position. As settlement has progressed matters, instead of getting better, have been getting worse. In tniß respect, settlers of the Awakino County are the sufferers. Although Work of the previous Administration was slow, the object of linking up was being pushed on and done in that direction. When the settlers of the KiritehereMoeatoa district and others represented to Mr C. K. Wilßon, ex M.P., the urgency of having expedited their just dues in gaining access to tho railway, his reply was that as far as he was concerned, he would do his utmost, but he said the engineer was against it. In response to further pleadings by the same settlers at a later date, Mr Wilson reiterated his previous statement. Now, what does that prove? It proves, J claim, beyond doubt that the people and their representatives are subservient to

resident engineers, thereby invalidating their Parliamentary representation in the moßt vital matter that concerns them—roads. I venture to ask would any of the past Ministers of Public Works have handed over to a Department engineer the rights of administration vested in them by pubilc confidence. Another illustration: Mr Robert Were, of Mangaohae, a well-known County councillor and a strong advocate of the claims of backblock settlers at a meeting at which he was chairman, held at Waitanguru a few months ago, in conjunction with representatives of the Kawhia Chamber of Commerce regarding the necessity of opening up that portion of the Kawhia-Mahoenui road from Waitanguru to Te Anga, stated that one engineer had said that the land was not worth it. "Yet," remarked Mr Were, "on a section opposite of exactly the same area I grew seven hundred pounds worth of wool last year." la that not a glaring example of allowing public officials too much play. Whafhad such a matter to do with Public Works officials? Is it not another proof that the position of administrator is now enjoyed instead of carrying out his duties as an obedient servant public. I ask, what has it to do with any engineer if land settled is gopd, bad, or indifferent, if settlers are given the opportunity to convince the Minister of the justness of their claims Again, another instance in which the appeals of settlers have been floute.l in order to give preference to the administrative authority of Public Works officialism: In 1913-14 a paltry £250 out of £SOO voted was only spent in widening the Te Kuiti-Marokopa road, whilst on a road forming one of the several roads of the route to New Plymouth a vote of £ISOO was expended plus a further £250 in anticipation of the next vote. The position is obvious that, as long as Taranaki interests are allowed to predominate and influence tie Public Works administration of the Awakino County, that dissatisfaction will continue. If our reading system is to give satisfaction to settlers and business people control must be from a source where our natural sympathies are.