WHAKAMARA ROAD LINES.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 349, 21 August 1878, Page 2

WHAKAMARA ROAD LINES.

(To the Editor of the Pate A Mail.) Sib,—l see by the statement of proposed expenditure of the Hawera Road Board, which is published in 3m nr paper, that they have decided to spend £650 on the Whakamara Block, in two sums, namely, £4OO on the Ingahapi Road, and £250 on the Noonan Road. To spend the money that way, appears to me to be an endeavour to satisfy the holders whose sections are on the outskirts of the block (some of whom are not likely

themselves to settle on or work the laud) and prevent the opening np of the main part of the block. I hear there will bo opposition to the proposer! expenditure, and hope it will prove effective. I d"' not say but what a good lino can ba found on the Ingahapi Hoad, but on what has been named the Noonan Itoad, therein a succession of gullies, to cross, and side cuttings to make, with steep gravies. The one road wii! suit the Messrs (Jane and a few others on the Taumaha side of the block, while the other will partly answer the purpose of what I cal! speculative purchaser. Anyone who has been on the block, knows that a good and 'almost level lino can bo. got, by taking the road bounding the Mokoia Reserve. In fact, from the main road till well on to the block, and partly into sections 3 and 4 of Block XL, a team can lie worked easily. There is then about sixty chains of bad track, and which, in my opinion, enght to bo made before money was spent on any other part of the block. If that short length of bad track* Was made to just past the junction of the survey lines between sections 8 and 10, then the whole block would be opened up, a dray could be got along, which would suit the Ganes, and would even suit some of the speculators, and would equally well serve settlers higher up the Ingahapi Road. From the junction or the survey lines at sections 8 and 10, goods could readily be taken to the limits of the block at sections 30 and 31. Men with families, who are now unable to settle, would, if the short piece of road was made on the Mokoia side of the block, he able to take themselves and belongings, and commence work. It would certainly little further round for some of have land on the Taumaha side, but there would he the advantage of an easy grade all tiie way, and the whole block would then be opened up. I hope tins will be well considered, before the money-is spent or wasted, as is now- intended. Another 3 T ear will bring more to spend, and the other roads could then he opened without stopping settlement. —I am. &c., bo right.