EAWHIA-KIRITEHERE MAIL SERVICE.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 380, 25 September 1908, Page 2

EAWHIA-KIRITEHERE MAIL SERVICE.

(to the editor.) Sib,—So this service is to be alterad to Te Kuiti-Marokopa Why? Because this will cause the Government io construct the Kiritehere-Te Kuiti Road, and erect necessary bridges over tbe streams that obstruct traffic in bad weather, and so give d : rect connections with Te Kuiti, which is to be the hub of the universe (no Knj C Hintry ) There slobe a market fur stock of all descriptions, there are to bi coaches and motor cars running daily to connect with train service both north and south. Of course tbe road is to be widened to 16ft and mettalled, this is a dream of the future ; aod. is to be brought about by the transfer of the mail service from Te Maska to Te Kuiti. This will give pr r parties, a.uated on both sides of this noble highway increased value, when the advocates of these gond things are to sell out, same leaving for S uth Africa, others, for the South with tears of sorrow, of course, being loathe to part with such a bright future. However, we must take this with a grain of salt, and settle down to solid facts taking things as they are not as they should be, and so adopt ourselves to existing circumstances. An air-ship would certainly ba the most convenient means of travel at present. Well, to begin with, Te Kuiti is not tbe present stock centre, nor will it be so for some time. Obaupo is tbe stock centre of the Waikato and King Country and what we have te consider is the nearest and best road to get to that market. There are three routes from Kiritebere and Marokopa districts at present, taking Marokopa Heads as a base. First, via Kawhia aud Te Maika distance, 60 miles plenty oi teed along the whole route ; stock have to be punted across the harbour and driyen down the coast ; this route deserves more attention paid to it than it has had in tbe past. No 2 route via Marokopa Valley, through Te Anga and Wai tom a distance about 72 miles to Obaupo. No 3 route via, Te Kuiti through Kiritebere and Pomerangi, distance from Marokopa to Te Kuiti 55 miles and 40 miles from Te Kuiti to Obaupo, oe 95 miles in all. No one would attempt to to take stock on this route, bar a lunatic, during tbe six winter months, there being no feed for stock, and who would attempt to drive stock through 55 miles of mud without food. There is no doubt stock will not travel this road to Obaupo, so it would be folly to cram our heads with a false idea. That this road is not what it is cracked up to be is shown very clearly to me by the action of those who advocate it. No 1 goes to Auckland via Te Kuiti, but takes car? to return by Hangatiki ; has said nothing on the subject .since. No 2 advocate goes to town at fleet week via Hangatiki returns same route, also fetches cattle from Waikato selects Hangitiki route. No 3 advocate has cattle to take out to sell. Obaupo is selected, and os No 2 is no fool, Hangaiiki or Kawhia will be selected as the most convenient route. As to the mail servie', there is no doubt to my mind, that tbe coast is the best route at present as there is about 10 miles of sfi\ndy beach at low tide which is good travelling besides heavy parcels come by steamer to Kawbia. thus saving the inland mud. There is no reaaon why the settlers at tbe bead of the Ki ritehere Valley and Pomerangi should not get their mail via Te Kuiti, as Halleys could go out and meet the mail at Mlangoaei thia would only take one day, and only cost 8a per week. But that the mail service should be sacrificed in order that people may be able to say that the road running by their sections is a mail route, and that they may secure a few pounds more for tbe sale of ■ their sections, is not to the best interest of the district. This is a matter of no consequence to those who are leaving, and will only affect those who stay. Let us get all the roads we can, but certainly support tbe road leading to the stock centre. The road to Te Kuiti should be constructed, but I do not think it is tb« most important. Tbe road to Te Maika and Hangatiki is of more importance to me. I herein give an estimate of distances and cost of widening and metalling three of the most important roads in this district. Marokopa to Te Kuiti 55 miles £5OO per mile £27,500 ; Marokopa to Hangatiki 40 miles, £5OO per mile £20,000 ; Maro kopa to Kinohaku 20 miles, £5OO per mile £lO,OOO, It will be seen that there is little hope of getting road metalled, although we may get them widened and opened for traffic. The best way te secure the construction of the mam a tery r> vl would b for to h o.’r.d criterenco meing at Te K'H.i, <f setlLrs inters. »d in each district thro ighoiit the King Country, when the question of fbads and lands ceuld be thoroughly gone into. United we stand, divided we fall. —Yours etc., JOHN WOULDES.