MAURICEVILLE ROAD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 292, 17 October 1879, Page 2

MAURICEVILLE ROAD.

To the Editor of the Wairarapa Daily, Sill I perceivo that sit the last meeting ofthe Wairarapa West County Council it was resolved-" That the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for the unexpended balance of the Mauriceville vote on tho. northern and western roads, the proportion on each side to be indicated by Councillors Mn o re and McGregor." jrtSX I nm very glad to see taken in the matter, for the setESßf Mauriceville has now been in exflKe for over seven years, and ffe arestilfwithout even a passable road, lam of opinion, however, and I am sure a large majority of my fellow-settlers agree with me that, considering the unexpended babnee of the vote is so small, it would be far better to apply the money to the improvsment of the already formed north road iii preference to proceeding with the formation of the western road, for anyone journeying from the school room north to the junction with the present main Fortymile Bush road, a distance of over three miles, will perceive that even in fine weather the track is scarcely practicable for wheeled traffic, and after very little rain it becomes very dangerous for horses and foot passengers; in fact, almost impassable.

If this portion of the road were gravelled it would not only be of inestimable benefit to the Mauriceville settlers, but as it would affect a saving of three miles on the present route traversed by the mail coaches, it would also be of great advantage to all the settlements further on, both towards Napier and Wanganui. I would also point out that between the point where the Mauriceville road leaves the Forty-mile Bush road and the point where it rejoins the same there reside over fifty families, whereas between the same points on the main road there are only three residents.

Being possessed of property both on tho northern and western roads, I am, of course, desirous of seeing them both completed ; but considering the smallness of the sum at present available, I assert my conviction that it will be far more to the advantage of all concerned, even the western settlers, to have the north road put into sufficiently good order to permit of ordinary traffic than to have both roads formed and existing in the lamentable condition m which the north road now is. I trust that, on receipt of the plans and specifications, tho pentlemen who are to 'indicatethe proportion on each side" will duly consider the arguments I have used, and will be induced to decide on the preference to having the more important north road gravelled, and thereby rendered of great use to all, to having both roads m a state little better than a quagmire, as the said north road is at present. Apologising for occupying so much of your valuable space, for which I must plead the urgency of the matter—l am. ifcc, > Henry Atjlin, Mauriceville.