WHANGAMOMONA'S. NEEDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1920, Page 5

WHANGAMOMONA'S. NEEDS.

ROADS AND BRIDGES WANTED. DEPUTATION AT WELLINGTON. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. A deputation representing ■ the Whangamomona district interviewed the Minister for Public Works (Mr. Coates) to-day in regard to roads, bridges, and postal facilities. Tt was's introduced by Mr. Masters, who strongly urged the claims of back-block settlers. The deputation asked the Minister to give a subsidy at the rate of £2 to £1 for the metalling of the Whangamomona Vallev Road. The settlers wfere willing to 'borrow £BOOO and rate themselves accordingly. Mr. Coatey, in reply, said he did not like paying such high pricps for road His sympathies were with the settlers, and he could promise a. £ for ■ £ subsidy. He would consider the resuest for a larger subsidy. Mr. George Stockwell, on behalf of Marco Road settlers, said they had been on >the road for twenty years and depended still ou a six-foot truck. They fWere willing to raise £lnoo by loan, and asked for £2 to ill subsidy. The Minister made a sympathetic reply. He thought tins caso was even stronger than the other one. He promised a £ for £ subsidy, and would give favorable consideration to the request for an increase over that amount. Mr. E. Callaghan, representing Tahunaroa settlers, asked for the erection of two dray bridges to give them access to their holdings across the Whdngamomona river. The bridges would be cheaper than the suggested round the hill road. Mr. Coates promised to secure a report from his officers, and let Mr. Masters' know the result. The deputation also interviewed the heads of the Telegraph Department, and secured a promise that ten telephones, with the necessary material, would be provided without further delay. Attention to the telephone needs of the district was promised.