COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 224, 1 September 1905, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS.

V (to thr editor,) -^ir, —Re Messrs Bell Bros, and Rose* letter io your last issue : It appears that your correspondents warn pe whole loaf and not as they say Inly a few crumbs, and begrudges a kw crumbs to other struggling setiltrs. I would respectfully point out tpt they have always publicly tated tfat their frontage was on the coast aid that their oa'ht to Te Maika was

via Potaka, which at the present time is ft (air (bridle track and maoh bettar than many other settlers have to new use to get to their holdings. The Ta Maika road servos only one section when the present contracts p W pleted and the money appiif )by Crp. Shaw is expended proposed. Had our member asked for a large sum to be placed on the estimates for the Te Maika road his action would have called for severe criticism. Had tbe writers of the letter suggested a grant to extend the present eontraais from |Taumatatotara-Te Maika Junction to the Marokopa road, it would have better suited the purpose as the outlet to Lemon Point, via the Mahoenui road, would be shorter than the Te Maika route, whilst the portion to be formed to connect is comparatively short. The present council hos asked to have tbe Malioenui road widened whilst the Bettlere are willing to rate them-elves to have it metalled. Had Mosers Bell Bron, and Boss advocated the Te Maika road to be formed from the Taumatatoiara junction to tbe Marokopa road, I consider they would have been asking for their few crumbs but when they ask (or the whole Ta Maika road to be included in the lUt o( urgent public work i under the existing circumstanoas, I contend that

they are asking for the whole loaf. When Messrs Bell Bros, and Bom refer to tbe small amount asked for the Tabaroa ridiug, 1 feel sure they have sadly neglected to consider the list of proposed grants, because : (I) they make no refereao to any other wrrk in tbe ebive mentioned riding but tbe road; (1) had they considered the lists of grants ttked for they w mid have noticed ea amount for forming a 16ft. road from Mahoenui CList Ro..d junction to Lamon Point, which is in the Tabard* Riding* ; (3) they have also omitted co no'.ici thv. there is a grant asked for to widen tbe present Maboanai road to the Taumatatotara junction, tbe said road being tbe boundary between tbe Waibamk-ke and Taharos Ridings therefore half the amount spent in doing th s wjrk is in favour of tbe Tahar< a Riding.* I am sure it must have been with great reluctance that your correspondents departed from the oozy corner of private life to criticise their friend who has forfeited that cosy corner at the request of the ratepayers to enter tbe stormy winds of public life, when they commence to criticise before they understand what their friend has done. Therefore, as Messrs Ball Bros, and Ross mention the fact that the member cannot criticise, it becomes the duty of another friend to protect him from criticism.—Yours, etc , ALEBT. These two items are included in i proposed grant to form and widen ' Mihoenm road, as published in the . Settler of August 18:h. (to the editor ) ’ Sir, —l certainly think Messrs B -11 ; Bros, and Ross must ‘have been under a wrong impression when the letter published iu your last issue wac written, as it was only roads most urgently needed that were to be included in the schedule to be placed before Ministers by a deputation of ooun» cillors representing the Kawhia County. 1 don’t think the Te Maika road can come under tha«. heading, aa there are so few ratepayers at present interested in chat road. I have no doubt that the most, if not all, of the ratepayers in the Taharoa Riding know that the widening and improving of tbe Mahoenui Kawhia road and the formation of tbe Mangapohue road are of as much importance to them as to the Waiharakeke Riding, as the firat-named is our main road from the harbour to the railway and stock market. Your correspondante evidently overlooked the fact that tbe unformed portion of road to Lsston Point, and the half of that portion of the main road to tbe Taumatototafu junction, for which grants are to Im applied for, are both in the Taharoa Riding. The Te Maika road wbea taken in hand will be a large order. Let us make our demands as moderate as we can as we are then more likely to get what we ask for, —Yours, eta., H. SHAW.