MAIN NORTH ROAD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1919, Page 5

MAIN NORTH ROAD.

CONDITION OF MT. MESSENGKt. A deputation consisting of represent** ' tivcs of the Clifton County Council, Waitara Chamber of Commerce, Now Plymouth Borough Council, TRranaki Cknrflb(>r of Commerce, and New Plymouth > Expansion and Tourist league,"waititf ; upon the Minister for Public Works (Si*Wm. Frasor) at Waitara last evening, nnd impressed upon him the urgent need for proceeding with the improving of the '> road through to Mahoonui, and particularly the metalling of Mt. Messenger. j The Minister said he had had a vote ' placed on the estimates last session and intended proceeding with the metalling' of Mt. Messenger this summer, but his engineers could not obtain the labor. That was the great difficulty, and it would not he removed until the troops returned or the Government institut«d • scheme of assisted immigration. Ho sympathised with the settlers, and needed no convincing as to the necessity for putting the work in hand without delay, - for he had been in the district and knew the position perfectly. The work would be started whenever they could get men, and he had just recently purchased a motor lorry for the purpose. But for the war upsetting his plans he was certain ■ the whole road, including Mt. Messenger, would have been completed ere thin. To-day, in company with Mr. .Tenninp-. M.P. for the district, the Minister will proceed north via Mt. Mcssenser, Mnto". and Awakino, where ho will meet the settlers. Our detailed report of last night'* pro*SidJwm li hold «y_er,