A ROAD MATTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 24 May 1913, Page 5

A ROAD MATTER.

DEPUTATION TO HON. W. FRASER. : A matter of very vital importance | to the aettlers on the road between Eksaiahwia and Pongaroa was [ brought before the Hani. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, at Tirauniea yesterday, when a large deputation of settlers represented their requir ; amerats in regard to the metalling ?f five and a-half miles of the ■ ?oacf, thv> distance qnmetalled I to th© Akitio County boundary. The deputation was presented to the Minister by Mr G. R. Sykes. M.P., and Mr C. O. Holmes, t\\, first speaker, said the object of the deputation was to try to obtain substantial assistance from th? Government for the metalling of the rc--1 mainder of the Alfredton-Wobcr road, situated in the Masterton County, and over which the Minister had just passed. The rea-sons for asking this assistance were represented as follows: (1) The road is a main arterial road from Eketahuna to Pongaroa and thence to Weber, and would become a very important one ji, ..metalled .right through, (kr The number of ratepayers is small or rather the possible rating area for any loan tliat may be raised is small, owing to the area being so close to the Akitio County boundary no part of which can be taken into the rating area even though a very great : benefit would be d?rived by many' Akitio settlers if the work was done. (•}) The greater part of the country through which the road passes is Government lamd, s which is already burdened to the extent■of os per acre for roads. (4) The greater number of ratepayers live on byeroads,, and a large amount of the i rating area that can be included for any loan that may'be raised is situat-. Ed on these roads, which in time will have to be remetalled by those ratepayers living on them, (o 1 ) The cost of the work is great, owing to the difficulty of getting metal. It is estimated the work under consideration would cost £4400 to complete. (Q) If well assisted and the work will be nut through, the district as a whole would greatly benefit in many ways, one being tne chance of having a much better mail service, the "pres ?nt service being very poor indeed, considering the size and population of the district. Amother benefit would be the ease of transit, which in the winter time is almost impossible. i' 7) The settlers already bear special rates for metalling the road lower down and having'been in the mud at this end for more than fifteen years, they need hilp to get out, but thinking the burden too great to hear alowe, they asked thai the Minister try and procure some substantial assistance 'from' the Government. Mr Patchett, member of the Masterton County Council, urged the Government to do something to complete this important work. He explained the many difficulties under which the settlers were placed, and said that unless a grant were conceded the work would remain unfinished, and settlers would continue under the disabilities which thsly had put up with for fifteen years or more. i

Sfr Herbert said this road was the main arterial road from Eketahuna to Pongaroa and Weber. The settlers had made and improved the road .from their own money, with Government subsidy. \ Tne unfinished link was five ,and a-half miles. The j settlers are very amxious for the work to be done, but have not the money, owing to the insufficiency of the rating area. The late Government had promised that the road would be metalled and "completed, but this promise had not been kept. , The road would give access to Pongaroa, where uie settlers are very anxious that the work be completed. A straightout grant was asked for. The settlers had been here for eighteen years, amd had not grumbled. It was the Governmnet's rightful responsibility to do the work, and he 'hop jd tlie'Minister would give the matter his best consideration. Mr Robertson, Chairman of the Akitio County Council, said the Pongaroa settlers were entirely in sympathy with the objects of the deputation. Mr Fraser, in replying, said that the country was full of promises. Verbal promises were of no importance, but if there were records of promises made it would be. the duty of the Government to see to them. He understood the position entirely, and would consider it, but the Government could not be expected to do the whole work. The settlers must contribute a certain aimount. If a deputation, waited on him in Wellington with a properly defined scheme to lay before him, he had no doubt that some satisfactory arrangement would be arrived at. Mr Sykes thanked the Minister for giving 'the deputation such a patient ' hearing.