THE OKATO MERGER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 225, 2 March 1915, Page 3

THE OKATO MERGER.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The present time appears opportune to draw attention to a nialteiwhich seems to have escaped the notice of eorresondents re the above. There is little doubt the. merging was first mooted by settlers living on the Carrington Road", and their trouble is the unmetallcd and unbridged portions of the Saunders road, from the Kaihitu stream to the (airington road. Settlers adjacent to the Saunders road absolutely refuse to burden themselves with more rates for the benefit of those living anywhere from the Puniho road to Opunake. Mr. Andiows f-t a County meeting, is reported to have said that the Carrington and Saunders roads would ultimately become main roads. Mr. Andrews deserves credit for going so far, but he might have added 'that the former was treated as such until the present Government came into power. That these are mam roads any unbiassed person must admit. When they are metalled settlers living any distance up the numerous byroads between Okato and Opunake will lie from six to sixteen miles closer to Ww Plymouth and the deep-sea barber. Much of the produce that now goes down the by-roads and along the South road will be taken to Xew Plymouth by the shortest way. The completion of the Carrington road will encourage farmers to use more slag and other fertilisers, as the saving in cartage will be considerable. Think of the motor traffic there is likely to be upon this road! Motorists from ITawera, Manaia, Kuponga. and oilier places will no doubt save time and petrol by using the shortest route. The imrii South voiul will lie used a good ileal less, and as the reserves of metal are hardly touched towards the Mountain, those ratepayers who may not use the Carrington road will be benefited, as in a few years it will be a difficult and expensive matter to obtain metal for the main South road. Then, why should a few settlers be asked to rate themselves to metal n. road which, by its very position, must be extensively used? Why did Messrs. Okey and Wilkinson wink the other eve when the present Government departed from the precedent set by their predecows, who spent thousands of pounds in forming, bridging and metalling this mad without asking the farmers for a renin'.' The present cor-

respondent N onlv the bofdnnimr (if the trf)iible. ami unless these "icntlomcn stir themselves liy next election it will have assume"! ve'-v awkward dimensions. The loeal bodies concerned seem, ill common with our M.P's., to have I peon troubled with a bad do-o of somnolence in this matter. Tlie Kmnont f'onnty. Parihaka. Okalo, and Wcrokino TJoart Hoards were all interested, anil said nothing. Perhaps (he Taranaki Covnlv. wiio have now taken the YVorckino lioad Hoard's place, will, in accordance with its claim for progress, -move." If they do, ami are supported by other loeal bodies, there is little doubt, that justice will be done, as ,-robablv the Minister for Public Works did not thoroughly understand the position. T think. Si>-. yon mi-ht take'this -nait.-..- up. f'iiarity be-kis at home. Tf the pro-cut Coverniiient trralu

the Carrington road like the Liberals did, New Plymouth and the whole of this side of the mountain will be benefited thereby.—l am ] etc., INTERESTED.