THE WERAITI ROAD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4158, 8 July 1892, Page 2

THE WERAITI ROAD.

Proceedings in 601111

Mr Beetham, under cross-examina-tion, stated that about nine miles of the road system passed through the Brancepeth estate, The Weraiti road would open up a large part of the estate if it were made. So far as Brancepeth was concerned it was perfectly accessible without the Weraiti fioad, Certain portions of the block were inaccessible until purchased by his firm within tko last three or four years, If the line of road were carried through it would add to the value of. the Brancepeth estate and all land in its neighborhood, Roads always increased the value of property, He had said a great many times that the road was required to give directaccess toßrancepetli and to open up the Wainui-oru valley generally. From his position ns a member of the Eoad Board he had always consistently advocated roading the country, because he had the welfare of the district at heart, His firm had bought tho land adjoining Brancepeth because the original holders were anxious to sell and because the rabbits were becoming a nuisance to tberc. They did not want to acquire the land, but it was almost forced on them, The intention of the Surveyor, Mr Lindsay Jackson, was to take the road to the Taueru River and eventually through Te Weraiti. The reason that the matter was being taken up now was that the Crown grant was about maturing. Had it not boen for the expense and the want of authority to do it, tho road, would havo been taken years ago. The Board had been advised by the Goyornmept that the road could not be taken unless under the Publio Works Aot, but they did nqt consider the road could be barred, If compensation had to be paid, the road would havo to be dropped. He had been a prime mover in the matter of the road because as a warden for sub-division No 8 he was supposed to know the requirements of the district. As a deputation from the Board he had frequently visited Wellington with the express view of forcing the road through the Weraiti, The Board declined to allpw Dr Hosking to see Mr Boll's opinion bepauße he was privately interested in jt. TJje ljtter from Mr Bell was read in Committee, He thought the public had a right to the road through Weraiti, but admitted that the Brancepeth estate would, with other properties, derive benefit from its formal ion.

The legal aspects of the case wa-e argued at considerable length "by counsel, after which Colonel Bpherts, R.M intimated that ho would reserve his decision till eleven o'clock on Saturday. '