The Daily News THURSDAY, JUNE 18. THE OVERLAND ROUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 152, 18 June 1908, Page 2

The Daily News THURSDAY, JUNE 18. THE OVERLAND ROUTE.

Probably I lie most important public tl work authorised in the back-country for c ., many years is that which is now aniiouueed—the bringing of the Mokau. j, For very many years tvallie has been impeded'and settl'cineiit retarded by the totally inadequate ferry service pro- ° \idcd for negotiating the Mokau river, it tin the route or one ol Taranaki's most, t important highways, directly connecting 1; New -Plymouth with Auckland, via I Mokau and Tc Kuili, by road and rail, t the .\lokau barrier has proved a serious s obstacle to the utilisation of the route. It is, therefore, extremely gratifying to learn that the Government has at j last recognised the national importance of the work, ami a survey of the site | ami foundations has been ordered by the . lion. J. McGouau. The existing settlement and Ira Hie long ago justilied I lie j bridging of the river, but we venture to predict that the impetus to settlement mid trallie which will succeed the j opening of the structure will be some- ; thing whereat to marvel. From a commercial standpoint, Waitara and New Pivmoiith have much to gain from the j re-diversion ol business that lias tended ] Te Kuiti and Auckland-wards on ac-, eoiint of n more convenient and pros- • pectivelv satisfactory route. The representations ol the member fur the district. Mr. Jennings, having borne fruit in this regard should be an encouragement for all interested to combine in urging bv every legitimate means the transcendental claims of the .Moki road. (Jrantcd fair treatment to this important route. Hie .Northern Taranaki tcrrilorv would speedily emerge from the i omparalive backwardness imposed upon it by lack of passable means of com innnication. Meantime we can only express dee]) satisfaction that, evidence is being given of a more vigorous roads aim bridges policy in Taranaki. I