CAMBRIDGE AND PIAKO ROAD.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1080, 27 May 1879, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE AND PIAKO ROAD.

PICNIC TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING/. Shortly before 12 o'clock on Saturday last a large party started from i tho National Hotel, Cambridge, to the far end of the above road. A coach and four had been kindly placed at the disposal' of the excursionists by Mr \W- K. Carter, free of charge. The road takes a direct line from Cambridge past tbe cemetery to the foot of Pukemoremore. The swamp through which the road has been cut has a hard bottom all through, some parts clay and in others gravel and sand. A very wide drain has been cut, as the flow of water ij consider able. Nearly the whole of the drainage from the Fen Court eState is, turned into the mains which were cut for the road. There are but two small bridges one at each end of the swamp, and the whole has been finished in a workmanlike' manner, and reflects greab credib on the contractor. This road brings the Piako district within easy ride of Cambridge. A few days ago Messrs J. P. Campbell and Rouben Parr rode from the Nottingham Castle Hotel ab Waitoa to .the township in one hour and three quarters. Tho party arrived at tine fay end of the swamp road and encamped upon the hill ab aboub one o'clock. Nearly fifty had arrived by this time, including a fair proportion of ladies. A drizzling rain was failing nearly all the time, but the ladies took their seats in their buggies and in the coach, which latter afforded some little shelter. Among the visitors were Messrs J. B. Why te, (Mayor of Hamilton), John Runciraan, Peter Walker, 5. S. Graham, J. P. Campbell, W. L. 0. Williams, Thos; Wells (Chairman Cambridge Town Board,) Messrs J. Hume and E. J. Brooks. Mr James Runciman then called all together, and addressed them as follows : — " Ladies and Gentleman, — It has fallen to my lot and affords me extreme pleasure to declare the road we have just had the pleasure of driving along open for general traffic. I am sorry ib has nob fallen into better hands to give an explanation of the circumsbances. Ib was aboub three years ago, that bhe idea was conceived thab ib was absolutely necessary bhat a road somewhere across this part must be had, if possible. A few of the people in and around Cambridge resolved to pub their f hands in their pockets, and pay for a preliminary survey, bo see if a practicable route could be got. The surveyor reported favourably. But some of the subscribers thab the propose! roube was a jvery circuitous one, and that a straight road might be gob, at a small additional sum. Accordingly, ftlessrs G. E. Clark, Henry Reynolds and myself were deputed to try what could be done. We enlisted the sympathy of Mr Maclean, N who very kindly gave us very valuable assistance, and came plodding through the swamp with us. As soon as we came to where the road now is, we saw, apparently, no unsurmountable difficulty in the way, and then and there debermined to put the road where we have just had the gratification of coming along. And, as many of you are aware, it has been constructed by money received from various sources, — by public and private subscriptions and subsidised by the Waikato County Council, and on Tuesday the Trusbees of the Cambridge Highway District, waited on the Hon. John Sheehan to ask assistance, as the greater portion of the road passes through native land and for the right to put the road through we had to pay £60, and that the land was considerably enhanced in value and contributed nothing., I am happy to sbate that the Hon. the Native Minister liberally responded to our requesb to the extent ot .£l5O, I may say here thab the total I cost of the undertaking is ias neap as may be to £600, of which the sum of -£245 103 6d was subscribed privately. The continuation of the road is still not quite complete. There are two or three small culverts to make to connect it with the Piako road at Waibekarnru, which might have been done if we could have had the survey complebed. ( B ye the bye the survey is completed, but the surveyors' report is not yet to hand.) The road will be an almosb sbraiaht line from The Trnstees have to apologise for not having the road wholly complete, bub we were determined bo have it opened this day, being the sixtieth anniversary of the birthday of our Sovereign Lady, Queen

Victoria, who wisids the sceptre of" the greatesb power on the earth's surface, and who3e very name gladdens bhe hearb of every British subjecb, whenever pronounced. We have, bherefore, decided to assisb in perpetuating that great name, by calling this road after her, and to call on the lady appoinbed to name the road, to do so. . ' Miss Runciman then sbepped forward, and said : Ib affords me very sreab pleasure to name this road bhe ..Victoria Road, after Her Majesty bhe Queen. Three hearty cheers were then given for the Qaeen. Mr Wm. L. Marbyn called for bhvee cheers for Mr Carter, who had so kindly placed the enveh ab bhe disposal of bhe trustees. That he had done so, was a sign thab he believed in the advantage the road would be to Cambridge. Mr Brooks called for three cheers for the Cambridge Highway District .Board, which had superintended bhe work, which had been carried oub in so satisfactory a manner. Mr J. P. Campbell called for three cheers for the ladies, who had provided so liberally for the occasion, and for those who had honoured themwith their presence, in spite of disagreeable weather. Mr Wells proposed three, cheers for the Hamilbon friends who had shown disinberested sympabhy by their presence. Mr J, B. Whibe said, if he had been in time, he should have proposed bhe Cambridge Townspeople, who had so liberally voted away their subsidies for a country road, which bbey could ill afford bo do. They deserved great credit. Captain Runciman, having called for one mere cheer for the contractor, who had many difficulties to conbend wibh, in carrying out his contract, pronounced a Maori welcome. Luncheon having been laid under the lee of bhe coach, and the ladies having been waited upon, we turned to with appetites sharpened by bhe long ride, and throats dry by repeabed cheering, and did full justice bo the substantial viands, and bhe delicate dainbies which the ladies had provided, and lasb, but nob least, bo the contents of bhe bottles Everyone having made a sumptuous repasb, we turned our steps homewards, and arrived in Cambridge shortly before 4. p.m. , '