THE ROTORUA ROAD. PUBLIC MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE [FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1187, 5 February 1880, Page 2

THE ROTORUA ROAD. PUBLIC MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE [FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)

A public meeting of the settlers of the Cambridge District, convened by the < hairman of the Town Board, for tho purpose of urging the Government to at once proceed with the construction of the road to Botorua was held in the Public Hall, Cambridge, on Tuesday. There was a good attendance, many of tho moßt influential Bottlers being present. Before proceeding with the business of the meeting, Mr T. Wells rose to apologise for the absence of the Chairman of the Town. Board, who had been unexpectedly called away, tie was, however, fully alive to the importance of pushing on the work. Mr Wells then moved, " That Mr R. H. D. Fergusson take the chair." Ihe motion was duly seconded and carried. Ihe Chairman having read the advertisement convening the meeting, said he was very glad to see the member for the district (Mr Whyte) present. That gentleman had just returned from a tour in the direction of the lakes in company with the District Engineer, and would no doubt be prepared to give them some account of his visit. It was very evident that they should bestir themselves or they would find that a road would be started from Morrinsville, and that would, nojt suit the interests of Cambridge. He'tbjg called on Mr Whyte to address tfiS meeting. Mr Whyte said he was not there prepared to make a speech on the political situation, but he was extremely glad to meet his Cambridge friends for the purpose of discussing local questions. As the present meeting had been called for a specific purpose he would just tell them what steps had been taken in Wellington, He had never lost sight of the matter they were zuet to discuss, and he had persistently urged the work upon the Government as one of colonial importance. He had pointed out that its construction would be the means of connecting Auckland, at present cat off from land communication, with the rest of the North Island. JVapier, Taranaki, and other places, he had shown, were within access of Wellington, while Auckland alone was out in the cold. He had also borne in mind, and had impressed it upon the Government that the road would be a very important means of settling the native difficulty. Upon these representations a sum of £4000 has been placed on the estimates for the wor* this year, It would take considerably more than this, but they could ask tor a further sum next session. He thought they were entitled to a portion—say 61,000 or £2000— of the grant for roads re native districts. Mr Stewart, the District Engineer, has been asked to report on the road, and he (Mr Whyte) had accompanied him. They had examined the two routes proposed, and had come to the conclusion that that via Tapapa was the best, inasmuch as while the difference in the cost tf construction would not be great a saving of some 20 or 25 miles would be effected. Since his return he had in conjunction with Mr Whitaker, despatched a telegram to the Member of Public Works, strongly representing the need for pushing on the work, and the minister had replied informing them that instructions had been issued to Mr Blackett to proceed at once. If he found that this course was not being followed he intended to see Mr Oliver personally, .ill that now remained to do was to see that Mr Blackett got his instructions. He had alao endeavoured to get a road to Tauranga, and Mr Turner was he believed about to commence surveying. It was at first thought it could be managed by branching off from the Tapapa road, but this he feared was impossible, and the road, if made, would probably come in the direction of Matamata, Before sitting: down it might be permitted to him to state that he believed thoroughly in the present Government, which he was confident was desirous of doing the best for all parts of the colony, and at whose hand justice would be done to the Waikato, At any rate he (Mr Whyte ) would do all that lay in his power to hold them to this course. He had almost forgotten to mention that he had unceasingly urged the claims of Cambridge to have a branch ailway, or rather as he bad always expressed it, a continuation of the main line, because he believed that if made it would in effect be the main line for many yeara to come. ( ' pplause.) Mr ti. Maclean, having listened with, pleasure to what had fallen from Mr Whyte, begged leave to move the following resolution. That this meeting having heard Mr Wbyte's statement thank him for the trouble he has taken m the matter, and request him to continue his exertions to ha%e the District Engineer at once directed to proceed with the road from Piriroi to Rotorua by the Tepapa route while the present flnc weather lasts. In -upport of the resolution he said there were three different routes proposed for the road through the property of the firm to which he belonged, the nearest of which waa the one referred to in the resolution. He held that roads through private property should be ta^en by the best route, and he did not care which they took .so long as it was the best. The constabulary were making the road as far as Piriri, and au excellent job they were making of it. They should therefore ask tue Government to allow the \.U. Force to continue the road, because it was the best libour they could get. Many of the men so employed were experienced workmen, and he deplored the faot that so many of chem should have been taken out of the district during the late disturbance | while there were men in Canterbury walking about doing nothing. Ihe Waikato Diatricb had been shamefully neglected by the Government in the matter of roads, — indeed, it was scarcely possible to go 25 miles beyond < 'ambridge in a buggy. They should insist that the road should be made this summer. Mr F. Hioks had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. He was quite sure that the meeting would agree wisi him that the road was one of the mosfc important in the colony, hither as a means of settling the native difficulty or of opening one of the most wonderful places on the earth's surfaoe it arnst be so regarded. It was indeed matter for surprise to him that the road had not long ago boon made. It would seem that it was owing to their own supineness, for during the last 15 years no serious efforts had been made in this direction. No wonder the Southerners sneered at them ! The native difficulty had doubtless stood in the way, but xf they had bestirred themselves the difficulty would in all probability have been got over. So far as he h*d means of judging, the natives would offer no objections to tho road. He thought a bridle track at least should be formed during the fine weather. The <,hairmaii read an extract from a sub-leader of that morning's Waikato Times, containing a portion of the telegram sent to the members for the district by the Minister for Publio Works to the effect that instructions had been issued to proceed with tho road, and that the Constabulary would, if possible, be employed thereon. Mr Maclean said the Constabulary could only be employed on private property. He knew, however, of several persons who were prepared to tender for the rest of the work, making their own arrangements with the natives. Mr T. Wells quite agreed with the terms of the resolution, but thought they would still have to urge the matter with peraibtvuoy. Mr Hicks had expressed surprise at the feupiuouess of the Caui. bridi.»tf people \ but he would remind hju>

that they had held several meetings, but meetings were useless unless followed up by prompt measures. If they were^ to separate that day after expressing thajs^ opinion that Mr Whyte was a^'olly good fellow, and all that the probability was that they would hear rery little more of the matter. They had been told that money had been voted but they had heard before that day of money being voted which was never spent, yfflmw they wanted of their mem. ber was that he should follow up what had been done and see that the money was spent. He had the greater pleasure in supporting the resolution because he be!iev»d its aim was in accordance with the opinions whioh he had expressed. The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously Mr R. Kirkwood reminded Mr Whyte that a promise had been made to a deputation from the Town Board to erect a Court House and enlarge the Post Office. The greatest inconvenience was experieno* ed by the public on the arrival of the mail, as the vestibule at the the Post Office was only Urge enough to admit about three people, Mr Whyte said be had certainly asked for a grant for a, Court House, but knowing that the Post-office was a new one, however inadequate it might be to the wants of the town, he thought it possible that by asking for too much he would get nothing. Only £300 was voted for the Court House, the Minister of Justice informing him that no more could be granted The argument that the Postoffice was too small might have some effect when he brought the matter forward next session. Mr Kirkwood explained that what was wanted was not a new post-office, but ah additional room fur the accommodation of the public. Mr Bright pointed out that by increasing the accommodation, a number of additional private boxes could be erected, the rent of which was more than would pay interest on the outlay on the Mr Whyte promised to give the matter his best attention. On the motion of Mr Wells, seconded by Mr Kirkwood, a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Whyte for attending the meeting and explaining his action relative to local matters, and after the oustomary compliment to the chair the meeting terminated,