The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1903. THE MOKE ROAD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 64, 16 March 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1903. THE MOKE ROAD.

The api'hy cf the p-oplo of New Plymouth residing tbe opeoiog up of roads leading to, and openiDg up the country upon which the future proaperi'y nf the town depends is truly astouishiog. We have over and over again called attention to this matter, yet time goes on, and ne effort is made to urge upon tbe powers that be to construct or complete reads, giving access to thousands of acres of land, and bringing prosperity to many struggling settlers whose difficulties are greatly increased by tha want of access to thtir holding'. A short tinn ago we pointed oui; the need of access being given to the lands jugs beyond t,ho Tongarakau from the side via the East Road, so that Turanaki sattlers, by wt om these lands are being largely taken up, can come and go with »s little iucjnvenienca as pog-ib'e. During the past few weeks Mr Jennings, M.H.R. for Egmont, has been visiting every part of his wide electorate, and he , has expressed his surprise at the nigleet which has been shown in the matter J of the Moki-road. This road leaves the Great Northro.d at a point only some 26 miles from New Plymouth, or about 16 miles from the Waitara railway station. It runs through some most excellent coun'ry for some 12 to 1.5 miles, when it connects with the Ohurt-ioid at a point about 65 miles from S ratford. soojewhat below where that road enters the grtat Ohura Valley. The Commissioner of Grown Lands, Mr Mackenzie, and all others who have seen that valley speak in the highest possible terms of its extent and th<) quality of the land. The importance of constructing the Molsi-road will heapparent from the fact that it lessens the distance to New Plymouth to settlers residing there by fully half what it is by aDy other road. From Mr Mackenzie we learn that the Moki-road opens up a large area of really firstclusj dairying country, and gives a good eisy road, with no heavy grades, right through to the Ohura-road. Indied, Mr Mackenzie states that it avoids all the difficult country and heavy giddles on the Ohura-road, aud is a good trotting road throughout. It, further has the advantage of lying to the sun, which, togeth»r wi'h the nature of the soil, will give a go;d road through most of the year. When it ia considered that it brings the Ohuraroad, at a point which is between 60 and 70 miles from Stratford, within 30 to 35 miles of Waitara railway station, with some 15 miles of the road already metalled, it will be seen what a boon the construction of the Moki-road will be. We believe it is the intention of Mr Jennings to do all in his pewer to get the money for tha construction of this important road, and we trust he will receive the hearty support of the pt ople and member fo'y New Plymouth. One thiDg i 3 qnite certain, that unless vigorous efforts are made to push on the railway from btratford to the Whsngamomona, and of the Moki-road to the Ohura "Valley, the whole of the trade of the former will go to Wanganui and of the letter to Auckland. Already goods are being delivered in the WhaDgamomona by steamer on the Tangarakau .i,-ar at very little in advance of Stratford prices, and the railway from Auckland

ia now constructed as far south as Pirihaka, within about four miles of the point where the Moki-road connects with the Ohura-road, it behoves [New Plymouth and Siratford therefore to join hand in hand to prevent the trade of the Whangamomona and Ohuru, cf so much importance to both these town", from being diverted to I other centres. We hope no tffort will j be spared to secure, during the coming (session of Parliament, substantial assistance in the direction we have indicated.