TAUMARUNUI ELECTORATE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1915, Page 4

TAUMARUNUI ELECTORATE.

During the time ;Mr. W. X. Jennings was „\t..L'. for Taumarunui, that is lroin December 18, UII4, till May 14, 1',J15, when he was unseated on a technical point, a number of requests were •brought under the notice of the -Minister tor Public Works, at the reipiest of settlers. Xlie more important matters at this end of the electorate were the completion of lie Mangaroa-Xongaporutu roaa, particularly from the Okau-Kotare end. Xlie Minister stated that the money; voted had been all spent. To this the member replied that he could authorise up to 25 per cent, of the sum voted, which would keep tiie work "oiiig until this year's estimates were passed. Xlie Minister, however, could not see his way to fall in with the sui'^estion. Xlie stoppage of work on Awakino Valley road and Pongaroa road was also brought under the notice of the Minister, who replied regretting >he could furnish no more money until Parliament voted it.

Xlie metalling of Mount Messenger and attention to Upper Awakino road produced a reply to the effect that reports were being obtained about these roads. The Minister, writing to Mr. Jennings on June Bth, re a petition from men employed on public ( works for an increase of wages owing to the cost of living having gone up enormously of late, stated he had the matter investigated, and found the statements made in the petition were correct; but the Government could not increase wages at the present time, and he regretted he was unable to favorably consider the application.