NORTH COUNTY ROADS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3612, 27 October 1920, Page 4

NORTH COUNTY ROADS.

It is reported that the liwvy rams 1 experienced a few week* ago were responsible for damage to county roads in the Tekagua, Erewhon, Awarua and <Ruanui ridings, involving the expenditure of £ 3500 to make good. This i reported damage becomes of interest through the fact that the northern j portion of the Rangitikei appeal's to j have again become • a storm centre. I Travellers may complain of bad, virtually impassable roads, but they know little about the troubles that swoop down upon county road-workers with such falls of rain as have recently taken place hereabout. It is almost invariably in newly roaded country that slips and washouts occur; in older settled territory those troubles have been reduced to a minimum. In newly settled country the life of the farmer is not without its? serious disadvantages, and this fact is proved by his readiness to be specially rated for I whatever roads he is closely interested j in. As there will be hundreds of th'ou- | sands of pounds spent in roading in I North Rangitikei during the ensuing few years, these late falls of rain may have given opportunity for observa- ! tions that can be utilised in averting or avoiding much trouble on future /road works. Farmers in North Rangitikei are undeniably of the class that, do not shirk helping themselves in the matter of road-metalling. While they are spending their money they are also making roads for the benefit of all who care to use them. Those roads that are to be metalled between Taihape and Napier "will undoubtedly become important main roads, and although the Government has consented to subsidise in the proportion of one pound to five pounds raised by settlers •we do not think the Government has strained its generosity. More especially as a compact was made by a Member of Cabinet with the Natives. ,who presented sonie'so,ooo acres of land to the State? that the Rangitikei should be bridged to enable the land to be settled. This very one of the works the settlers have " made themselves liable for, and. therefore the Government no doubt, thinks it has discharged its compact w'th the Native donors of the Ohaukn land. The damage to roads by one fall o f rain, running into some £3500 Srw-fpsfoc, that.' settlers on new conntrv --hould i have consideration not clai T »nb 1 o bv farmers in older settled loco.liHes. and should also have ■niurb nmre treatment from the Government. •■•,•