TO THE EDITOR.

Patea Mail, 18 December 1880, Page 3

TO THE EDITOR.

ROAD TO MOMAUAKJ. Su:, —in your issue of the IGth instant under the head of “ Highway .Board Election,-' your Wavcrley correspondent says : “Two candidates were proposed yesterday for (he representation of No. a Ward, viz. Mr A. Aiken, representing Wavcrley interest, and Mr T. Fisher, of Wuitotara. The contest will be keen, as the question at issue is the road to the Moniahaki Block. Two lines arc laid oil", one through the Williamson property, the other along the river bank to Waitotara. The trade of the district is of importance to Waitotara, and the voters there are likely to vote for the man who will look after their interest.’’ When your correspondent staled that the trade of the Moniahaki is of importance to Waitotara, he forgot to mention that the trade of the Moniahaki Block is considered of very great importance to Wavcrley also ; and hence the injury attempted to be inflicted on the settlers in that block by taking them to Waverley to market, when there is an equally good market at Waitotara, or if for transmission to Wanganui, eight miles of railway carriage is saved. The bridge near to the month of the Moniahaki is only two miles from the township of Waitotara by the line of road laid off by the Government, and runs along the river bank, over sound porous land, practically a dead level, and inexpensive to make. The line of road laid oil: by the Road Board from Ibis same bridge to Wavcrley is about eight miles long, is taken in the face of physical difficulties, and is generally uphill the whole way ; the fencing alone on the lino would beggar the Road Board for years. In other words the settler on the Moniahaki is being compelled to travel eight miles to market, when (here is an equally good market within two miles of him : or he could take four loads of produce to "Waitotara in a day when ho can only take one to Wavcrley, and the public money is being squandered in furtherance of this cruel and arbitrary act —certainly cruel to the unfortunate deferred payment selector, who is perhaps obliged to meet his liabilities by means of the produce of his laud. In conclusion, sir, I do not seek a seat in the Road Board with a view to the arbitrary advocacy of this road to WaitotaraJ but to represent the wishes of the Momahaki settlers, who have already petitioned the Board upon this subject.—l am, &c., Thomas W. Fjsitei!. Waitotara, 17th December.