THE BLACK HILL v. THE LOWER WHAREAMA ROAD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 143, 25 April 1879, Page 2

THE BLACK HILL v. THE LOWER WHAREAMA ROAD.

To the Editor of tk Wairakapa Daily.

Sir,—Permit me to draw attention to a very incorrect inference likely to be drawn from a passage in your leader of this day's date. Thus you say—" The opposition to Mr King's line comes from Lower Whareama, the settlers in which, we understand, desire another route which will give them more direct communication with Master-

?or engineering re&on^,^,bit simply because in laying it off he has sacrificed their individual general good. It is therefore a matter of great' regret that at the meeting held on Monday last two Councillors,•finding that -they cojild not upset the Black Hill route on its merits, attacked Mr King personally, and endeavored to show that he was a blunderer and unreliable."' "

Anyone reading' the foregoing would certainly infer that the two Councillors referred to were representatives m the Lowet Whareama interest; and that they, had all along been opponents of the Black Hill route, Tho reverse is the case. Messrs Maur.sell and Wingate had, up to the last meeting of the County Council, been strenuous advocates for and supporters of the Black Hill route, and they naturally felt sore at finding themselves in the false position of being led into antagonism with the interests of a considerable majority of the ratepayers, including large proprietors remote from the Lower Whareama. Messrs Maunsell and Wingate are not Lower Whareama representatives,

I would also point out another error which you have doubtless inadvertently made. You say—" It is a matter of regret that in a large district like the Whareama , which is kept in almost a primitive state by want of road communication, disputes and petty differences among its handful of settlers should be the main obstacle to the extension of road lines," You appear to conclude tliat a road taken by the Black Hill route would best serve general interests, while that by the lower route would rather serve local interests. Such a deduction would be entirely at variance with the merits of the case.

The matter stands thus: Aroad by Black Hill would be a road between Masterton andTinuienly; but extend tho line one mile and twenty-seven chains, and tho result is to connect Masterton with central and Lower Whareama, Uriti, and Tinui, and I unhesitating affirm that to carry the road by the slightly extended route will be Jo set aside " individual advantage for the general good." I think you are less than generous in twitting the Whareama settlers that their district is kept in a primitive state bv want of road communication ; rather accord them your aid in getting fair play from the Masterton Highway Board. I am, &c. Edwin Meredith.

Upper Plain, Masterton, April 28,1879.