DEPUTATION TO F. A, WHITAKER, ESQ.. M.H.R.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1214, 10 April 1880, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO F. A, WHITAKER, ESQ.. M.H.R.

On Thursday a deputation of Waipa settlers, consisting of Mr Andrew Anderson (of Kaniwhanawhana), and Messrs P. Corboy, Salmon, Dawson, and Foxall, waited on the member for Waipa with reference to certain public works connected with their particular part of the district, and more especially with regard to the proposed bridge over the Waipa, for which a sum of £4000 had been voted during the last session of the General Assembly at Wellington. In reply to a question from the deputation asking what position the matter of the construction of the bridge over the Waipa now stood in, Mr Whitaker stated that sections of the bridge had been taken and forwarded to the Public Works Department at Wellington, where, to the best of his belief, plans of a bridge suitable for the locality and traffic had been prepared. Ihe members of the deputation had expressed some surprise that the work had not been already commenced ; but it was understood that some little difficulty had arisen, owing to the circumstance that the survey plans of the road on the Raglan side of the river showed the road as striking the river at an acute angle, instead of intersecting it at a right angle. It had been, therefore, necessary to make a resurvey of the road on the west side of the river, and Mr I Park had been instructed to undertake that work. He had just returned from doing so, and had found that the plans at Wellington were incorrect, and that the Raglan- Waipa road struck the river at the proposed bridge site at a proper angle. Now that this last obstacle had been overcome no doubt tenders would be shortly called for. The deputation said they were anxious to know also what position the road matter stood in. It was of great importance to the district that the road should be opened. The districts to which it would give access and egress were second to none in the Waikato for fertility, and it was simply the isolated position in which a want of practicable roads left them, that had kept back the progress of the Waipa district. Mr Whitaker stated that the Government had agreed to expend a sum of £600 in opening up this road, and a contract had been let. He (Mr Whitaker), however, was of opinion that the money would have been more advantageously expended if it had been laid out in road formation further along the road than was proposed, and, acting on this opinion, he had telegraphed to the Public Works Department to that effect. With reference to the bridge, Mr Whitaker further stated that lie had forwarded a telegram to Wellington to ascertain the precise particulars of matters with respect to the bridge construction, and had requested a reply by telegram ; and the moment he received it he would furnish the Whatawhata people with such information as he obtained. The deputation thauked Mr Whitaker for the cordial reception he had given them, expressing their confidence that he would use his best endeavors to further their interests, which they felt could not be left in better hands. Mr Whitaker thanked them for their kindly expi'ession of opinion, and told them that they could materially sti'engthen his hands by submitting the resolutions passed at the Whatawhata meeting to writing and forwarding them to him, when he would transmit them to Wellington. The deputation then thanked Mr Whitaker and withdrew.