King Country Roads.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 337, 8 November 1907, Page 2

King Country Roads.

KIWRIA COUNTY COUNCIL. SUPPORTS AN ENQUIRY. At the last meeting of the Kawhia County Council, on Saturday, 26th alt , Or H. Shaw banded in the following petition which had bjen sent to him :—“ We, the undersigned ratepayers of your riding (Taharoa), do this opportunity of asking you to recommend for us who have sections in the Whakapiran exemption from paying rites, as we have no road, and tbe track that gives access to our holdings was made by private enterprise. Where then, does the justice come in for us to pay rates ? Pay I Pay for what ? Fur our horses to climb a mountain track. We paid cheerfully enough at first on account of an idea we bad that we soon would have a road; but we believe that as fat as we know we might be paying rates without roads for the next two years at least, aud anything we want done to it do it ourselves—and goodness knows there is a lot wants doing. Would you also kindly let us know what thirds are available for Whakapirau, and do they lapse after two years ? If so we are of opinion that the sooner they are spent the batter. There are soma settlers whose names are not on this because they are away, but we wo assume that they would endorse these sentiments.” The letter was rignod by James Flamank, Septimus Wright, Rubt. Nealy, J, Sadler, B. "Diuglas Smith, A. Fairfax, A. Temple man, F. O DerocAurt.

Cr H. Shaw said that the lot of the petitioners was a bard one. They bad no road, and at the present rate of pro* would not have one for many years. It would not be possible for the Council to recommend a rebate of rates.

Tbe Chairman remarked that they c mid not do so. The petitioners should refuse to pay rent until the Government gave them a road, and be considered that no court of justice in the world would give a verdict against them. Tbe Government put these settlers there four years ago, and at pre sent they had not even a bridle track. Cr H. Shaw asked what would happen if they refused to pay the rent. Tbe Chairman replied that it would have to be recovered through the court, the same as any other debt. The Whakapirau block is loaded with 5s an acre for reading, and the settlers would have to-pay interest on that for 999 years. This added to the capital value was a big item. The only way he could suggest was tor the settlers to strike by refusing to pay rent. Or Babbage stated that at Awaroa the land was loaded 8s an acre, but so far no loading had been spsnt, the road having been made out of Government grants. The Minister of Linds was now trying to shuffle out of the loading

The Chairman : The petitioners have to use u track cut by themselves, and they also have to keep it open. The road is being constructed in the usual manner. It is being made right at the far end, which it no benefit. The money should have been spent in giving tbe settlers an outlet. Tbe sections are only 100 acres, and those that are on them will be starved off by such methods. Cr H Shaw remarked that some of the married men with families, and owing to their being no roads were put to tbe expense of having to keep two homes. It was impossible for them to exist under such cieoumst&nces.

Or Babbage said the Council should help the petitioners, and moved “ That thia Council draw the Government’s attention to the position of tbe Kinohaku Special Battlement settlers on the Whakapirau Valley road, and the shameful way they have been neglected with their roads, as they have been there for four years now and still have to use tbe bush tracks.”

Seconded by Cr H. Shaw.—Carried Cr Jonathan remarked that a lot had appeared in the papers lately with reference to roads, and suggested that the Council follow up, the agitation for an enquiry into the administration ol tbe Roads Department. The Chairman and Cr Babbage con curred, the former remarking that it would be unwise to state a specific case, but to base tbe resolution on the general discontent which prevailed in the Kawhia district.

Cr Babbage said that if the settlers let the matter drop now it would be the most criminal thing they ever did. They should keep the b dl rolliog. Cr Jonathan ; We might get the Waitomo Council to co-operate. Cr Babbage; The Waitomo people are quite satisfied. This side of tbe range is treated worse than any other portion of New Zealand. The Chairman: The roads in the Waitomo County are three times as far advanced as they are in ibis dis* triot.

Or B xbbage: Why should they be so? Cr H. Bhaw said tbat a Kinohaku settler bad asked Mr Burd about tbe loading and he bad replied that it was being spent in giving them an outlet to Te Kuiti. It seamed a hopeless case when the money was spent' 5Q miles away.

, Tbe Chairman said that the District ( Engineer had stated that the loading was spent in giving access to ihe block, aud yet he had also stated tbat block money could not be spent outside of a block. Some time ago he had suggested that the Government be asked which were Government and which were County roads. His idea was tbat when they were told that they were all County roads that tbe Council should be consulted in getting the grants expended, the same as the Waitomo County Council was. He thought tbat the Roads Department should be written to in connection with this matter, as the roads might be in their keeping for only a year or two but tbe Council would have to keep then* in order Cor many years to

oeme. I Cr H. Shaw remarked that there was ftjlot of dissatisfaction at Kino haku as lo how the road grants were spent. The fallowing motion, proposed by Cr H. Shaw, and seconded by Cr Babbage, was carried “Re R >ads Department Administration: That thia council heartily indorse the remarks relative to enquiry contained in Mr Gregg’s It tier, which was published in the Wellington Post and also in the Kawhia Settler, in reference to the administration of the Roads Department generally. This Council does not wish to make any specific charge as it is accepted that an ex haustive enquiry into the matter as a whole is urgently nece-aary. This Council submits that the administration as at present carried on, in do gives settlers any confidence in the Department's procedure, and the only possible suggestion with the object of a more satisfactory state of affairs ultimately eventuating, is nn immediate enquiry, which we faei sure will be productive of results that will be beneficial to the settler?, who endeavour to keep faith with thoir landlord?—the Govarnmeut, and it is felt the Gov eminent are not kueping’faith with tbe settlerf*,”