Our Roads (?).

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 357, 10 April 1908, Page 2

Our Roads (?).

Some time ago the Secretary of the Awaroa Branch of the Farmers’ Union (Mr H. H. Babbage) wrote a long letter to the secretary of the Auckland Provincial Executive on the above aver important subject, and in the coarse of the letter went, on to say “I should be glad to hear if the Provincial Executive has done anything towards getting us roads. We want something more than the passing of resolutions, and we hope the executive will bring weight to bear to secure for us the carrying out of the Government’s side of the bargain with us on our leases. The settlers of the Awaroa-Mahoe road are loaded with 3s per aore for roads, on which we have to pay interest every year, and yet we haye only got part of a Gft track. We feel this severely year, as, on account of the heavy bush fires which passed over our farm*, most of us have to reduce our flocks, and when we are ready to restock we will not be able to get sheep in on account of not haviog a road. The expense of regressing is heavy enough, without any other drawbacks.” In replying to the letter, Mr Garland says : —“Regarding the question of roads in your district I assure you that the Government have been very well advised of the condition of matters.

Your previous communication waa sent on to the head office, and I advised that your claim Jfor roads be at once laid before the Minister in charge and a promise has been made that the matter will secure consideration. I was not aware that your land and that of your fellow setters was loaded to the extent of 3s an acre; this is a phase of the position which I did not notice in your last letter. . . . I assure you that the hardships endu red by each sett lers as yourself are not unknown to me, as I put 25 years in back country myself before coming to town, and have a fellow feeling for you nil. You see we are obliged to go cap io haed for what is by right our own, and that is the thing which is so bard to bear, bat I promise you that I shall do everything in my power to sec if means couuot be obtained for your district.”