MINISTER AT AWAKINO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 272, 23 April 1914, Page 4

MINISTER AT AWAKINO.

DEPUTATIONS FROM &ETTLBR& '

The Minister of Publ.c Worki (Hon. W. Fraser), Messrs C. K. Wilson, M.P. . MacAlister (Ministerial tecretarr), G. T. Murray (resident road engineer) Bowera, Kicks and Dowsett (Clifton County Councillors), Kennie, Mosworthr, and' Marlow (representing the Waitara Chamber of Commerce) journeyed to. Awalnno yesterday ov two motor cars from George and Johnston's, which negotiated Mt. Messenger in good style, there being only one or two bad places. The Minister was interviewed atOknn concerning the metalling oi the tßdk> over Mt. Messenger, and the bridging q« the Mokau river—Die Minister gaid ha recognised the- necessity for metalling the road, out said that the settlers could not expect it all 1.0 oe done at osee, foi Metalling cost much money in this district of scarce stone supplies. There waa no need to worry. He would push on the work as rapiuiy as nossiblo. There _ i-ro. however (as the Minister explain' in an 'interesting intervi; -v with aNews

>1 osentativo printed on page T of thi» _ sue) other places in the Dominiom with just as important reqirrements. Afl for the Mokau river, it was at present abl« to be crossed, and the Government wig most concerned with those backblocka people who as yet had no mean# of access at all.

During the day the pnrtv motored to the T.iumatamaire hill, arid the length and difficulties of negotiating this road were explained, as well as the Awakino Valley road, which a deputation subsequently urged should be completed .10 kl to allow connection with Malioenui hj» an easy route instead of by the hiil just mentioned. In tho evening the -lireistor was entertained at a banquet.' v