ROADS AND BRIDGES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9350, 20 January 1909, Page 5

ROADS AND BRIDGES.

INDIGNATION MEETING AT OHAKUNE. MINISTERS APPEALED TO. <From -Our Travelling Representative. ) A special indignation meeting was held on Monday evening by|resideuts. of Ohakune, to complain of the fact that roads and bridges repeatedly promised by Ministers of tne Crown have not been constructed. It was pointed out that people could not get timber or egress from their sections. Some of the settlers bought land 18 mouths ago and some in December. It was resolved to send a telergam as follows to the Premier:—“At a largely attended meeting of Ohakune business people and residents held here last evening, Mr J. A. Butler', in chair, the question of opening np Miro Street to give access to some 50 persons, who acquired land at the recent ballot, was discussed, and the following resolution was carried :—“That this meeting views with astonishment the flagrant breaches of faith which Ministers have committed in the matter of opening np jthe road. Mr MoNab gave a voluntary promise that Miro Street would be formed and metalled before the sections were sold. The Premier, interviewed by a deputation at Ohakune Station while en route to Auckland, distinctly promised to wire instructions to proceed with the work. Later on he was interviewed on the Parliamentary Jtrain and he again promised that the matter would be attended 'to without delay. Mr McKenzie, Commissioner of Lands, was also interviewed at Ohakune, and he too promised that the work would be attended to. Subsequently he wired a member of the Town Board that the road would be proceeded with at oncei With regard to the sections sold on sth December and others 18 months ago the owners are still unable to gain access to them. Fully 60 persons are waiting for a road to get their timber in to build,, all of whom are unable to comply with the conditions of the leases, owing to the Department’s apathy. The season here is short, and unless the work is proceeded with without delay holders will be unable to get a burn this year. The progress of the place has been seriously delayed, to say nothing of the injury which has been caused to many persons seeking to establish homes. The outlook is very serious and the meeting is confident that this important matter will receive justice at your hands, ”—J. A. Butler, chairman. The following telegram was sent to Mr Jennings, M.P., New Plymonth:—“At a largely attended public meeting held last evening great dissatisfaction was expressed at Minister’s breach of faith Jin not carrying out the promise to construct the Mangawhero bridge and open streets. Strongly worded telegrams have neen forwarded to Mr Hogg and the Premier. The meeting appeal to yon as our representative to obtain the immediate carrying out of the necessary work.”—J. A. Butler, chairman.

To the Hon. A, W. Hogg, Minister for Roads and Bridges, Wallington, the following was sent“At a largely attended meeting of Ohaknne residents held last night, Mr J. A. Butler in the chair, those present expressed satisfaction at your appointment to the portfolio you hold, and considered that justice was likely to be extended to this long suffering community. It resolved that yonr attention be called to the vexatious delay in proceeding with the construction of the Mangawhero bridge vote which appeared on last year’s estimates. The Premier gave a deputation from the district a promise at Ohakune that the bridge would be proceeded with at once. Mr Hall-Joues also promised a deputation that the bridge would be put in hand without delay. Obakune Town Board some time ago called the Department’s attention to the delay in proceeding with the bridge and received no reply. The rainy season is now close at hand and when the river is in flood communication between the township and the station is likely to be interfered with, often cutting off vehicular traffic. This meeting read Mr Hogg’s remarks at Napier on the subject of roads and bridges, and now our plight is placed before him, feel sure this urgent work will receive prompt attention at his hands. ”—J. A. Butler, chairman.