WAITARA TO TE KUITI.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1919, Page 6

WAITARA TO TE KUITI.

TRIP BY MINISTER OP WORKS, f ROADS AND DEPUTATIONS. After leaving Waitara 011 Wednesday morning last for Mokau and To Kuiti, Sir Wm. Fraser and Mr. W. T. .Jennings had a busy day, deputations lasting up to 12 o'clock at night. The principal subjects discussed were the Mount Messenger and Lower Awakino Valley road. A variation occurred at Pio l'io, where the County Council asked for authority to construct a railway from Puketutu to Aria, about 30 miles, and the directors of the Aria dairy factory wanted permission to put in hydro-electric power for their factory by harnessing the Mokau-iti stream, both requests receiving favorable consideration. The King County new districts have shown great progress owing to a progressive policy being carried out by metalling the roads. This policy was favored by the plentiful supply of metal obtainable everywhere, and the various County Councils were not afraid of raising loans, on the pound for pound subsidy system. At Urenui the member introduced Messrs. Herbert and Gaustad to the Minister, Their request for an additional subsidy for metalling the Matoro road was acceded to by the Minister. At Uruti, there being no deputations, the Minister viewed the quarry, where the metal for Mount Messenger will be obtained. At Okau Junction the member introduced Mr. Jones, Councillor, who stressed the importance of Mount Messenger, and Messrs Haywood and Greenwood urged the completion of the Mangatora bridge over the Tongaporutu river. The Minister stated the hardwood timber had now arrived from Australia, and the work would be proceeded with. At Mokau, the party met Mr. Whitehead, chairman, and other members of the Harbor Board. Messrs Sage and Old asked for reinstatement of the Mokau up-river mail service, as the residents were now completely shut out from mail matter. The Minister said he would bring this request under notice of the Postmaster-General. At Awakino a large number of settlers were present, the chairman of the County (Mr. R. Body) presiding in the hall. The main request was the completion of the Lower Valley road, Councillor Tweedie, Messrs. Duncan, Avery and others speaking in support. The Minister replied that he had authorised the necessary money, and the matter was in the hands of the engineer. A number of speakers at this meeting put in a plea for Mount Messenger, the Minister stating the position. Messrs Budge, Cross and Joshua Jones (returned soldiers) represented matters of local access. At Mahoenui Councillor Old asked for the erection of post "office buildings. This request would be referred to the Postmaster-General. At Pio Pio the councillors and residents met in the County hall, where a number of requests for subsidies for metalling were made by the chairman. The Minister replied that Awakino County had done well in regard to subsidies, but he had to consider a number of counties that had not been so pushing. He would consider the requests made. Advocacy for promoting a railway from Puketutu to Aria was made by the chairman. The Minister said that was a Cabinet matter, and if the request was sent along he would submit it. The narty next proceeded to Aria, where they arrived at 11.30 p.m. A large deputation was present, where several requests were made, the principal one being urged by Mr. Riddel, chairman of the co-operative dairy factory. It was to obtain a permit from the Minister to harness the Mokau-iti stream to obtain hydro-electric power for the factory, owing to the scarcity of fuel, both firewood and coal. ; The Minister congratulated the companj' on its enterprise, and said there was no difficulty in the matter, and he would send one of his electric engineers to report as soon as he could get away. On the way out to Te Kuiti the party visited the Tairere Falls, in the Mokau River. After visiting Ta Mapara and hearing requests of local importance the party readied Te Kuiti and met the chairman of the Waitomo County Council and others re schools and roads. In the evening, at the Municipal Hall, the Mayor (Mr. Findlay) presiding, a large number of requests were submitted, the principal one being an alteration of the present tenure of Te Kuiti town lands. The deputation made out a strong case', showing that after their leases expire they receive no compensation for improvements. The Mayor, Messrs. Pine, Lonigan. and Elliot submitted the case for the leaseholders. The Minister promised to place the position before Cabinet. Mr. Benner, chairman of the Otorohanga Town Board, created a diversion by-his insistence in wanting to know what the Government was going to do in the case of widows and children left hi indigent circumstances owing to the late epidemic. He said there was too much taihoaism over this matter and he wanted a straight answer. The Milliner replied the matter was in the hands of two other Ministers, and he would reiiri sent the deputation's views. The next day, Friday, the party proceeded by train from Te Kuiti to" Okahukura and visited the tunnel, which is now pierced from the Okahu entrance to the exit at Mahirakau. In the evening at the Municipal Hall the Mayor (Mr. Laird) presiding, a number of local requests were made by Messrs. Monfries (West Taupo Settlers' Association), Ford and Reid (Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce) and Mr. Laird, for the borough. This finished three days' travelling, when fifteen deputations were met, whidi dealt with over fifty different matters. At Pio Pio, Te Kuiti and Taumarunui, the party were enthusiastically received at social functions, and cheers'were called for the Minister and member at Mokau, Awakino, Pio Pio, Te Kuiti, and Taumarunui. -» '