RAGLAN AND WAIPA ROAD.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 751, 10 April 1877, Page 2

RAGLAN AND WAIPA ROAD.

We learn with astonishment and regret that the Government surveyor Mr Palmer, is endeavouring to find an outlet for the proposed Raglan and Waipa road, so low down the river as the coal-mines at r-riupiri. Whatever may havs been the diverse opinions of the Raglan people as regards the possible line of road, all join alike in condemning the route I.o w being sought for by the surveyor. It is nofc simply to connect Raglan with Auckland that the road is wanted, bub to conuect Raglan with Auckland by way of Waikato. To be acceptable to the settlers, the same road which serves one object must serve both. To simply lead the Raglan line info the road helovv the settled districts of the Waikato will only affofd a vny small installment of the benefit which is l.ioked for from the construction of this long needed road. What the Raglan settlers at one side the range and the Waikato settlers at the other want is direct cc-imuuication between the two. The Rag-lan settlers might then find a market, either to buy or sell,close to their door.s without travelling a hundred or more miles to Auckland, while practically thay would be nearer Auckland by taking the railway at JN garuawahia than tra'vel-

ling further down the line and taking J it up at Taupiri. The proper outlet, sto benefit all concerned, is Whata Whata. It needs but a glance at the map to see this, , and therefore the attention of the;.surv3yor should be directed rather to discover a good line between that point and Raglan than- in. seeking "a ! ,^r,oad, leading further down the river, to cut off the Raglan settlements from the civilisation lying almost afc their «jdaoj:su..,. Granted , a- separate line of road converging into the main line at Taupiri, Raglan will be in almost as isolated a fjosition as she now is.