The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1817, 28 February 1884, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and cx.ict justice to all men, 01 whatsoever st.ite or persuasion, religions or political. Here sli.ill the Press the People's ri^h' ni.itnt.iin, Unawed bv inlluem c and unbribed by tr-nn.

THURSDAY, FEB. 28, 18SJ h

From what transpired when the directors of the itotorua railway met Messrs Bryce and Rolleston in Auckland, it would appear that it is likely to be some time — years, probably, — before the la>t section of the Rotorua railway is commenced. The directors cannot proceed with this section until the necessary endowments are provided, and, as these cannot be got, the line will have to wait. In the face of this it is not unreasonable to ask the Government to take immediate steps to complete the Uotoruaroad, which is now one of the main trunk roads of the colony. A considerable sum has been sp^ut in making it what it is, and, with the exception of one short piece of about 10 chains, situated about tlnee miles on the Cambridge side of the bush, the road is thoroughly serviceable. There is hero a rather steep hill, over which all traffic has now to go. Kound the face of this hill the constabulary have boon employed putting in an almost level grade, but when they went away they left the work unfinished. A sum of from .£4OO to £.">OO is required to complete this portion, a very small sunn when the great benefit is taken into consideration. When this is done there will be no grade in the whole distance from Oxford to Rotorua, that will exceed 1 in 17. [ The railway to Oxford will soon be | completed, and then we may expect the already heavy traffic on this road to be largely increased. There iis another consideration that ought to urge the Government to an expenditure of this small sum, and it is this : The high prices offered by the lessees of the Kotorua Township lands were given on the understanding that the railway would be pushed on with all possible speed. In this respect the lessees were deceived ; we do noc say wilfully, because we believe the Government honestly intended to afford the railway company every facility for pushing on the work. But they were deceived ; and as the Government does not intend to allow them to cry off the bargain without a h'ght, the least the Ministers can do now is to repair, as far as lies in their power, the injury inflicted on the unfortunate leaseholders. Until efficient means of communication between Kotorua and the outside world are provided, the allotments sought to be forced on the acceptance of the successful bidders at the auction will be. of little value. If it were not that the traffic warranted the outlay, the implied promises of the Government to the lessees of the land should make the completion and maintenance of the road imperative. The completion of the road is, of course, required on public grounds. The road is the main highway from Auckland to the Hot Lake District, and the crowds of tourists that daily travel over it attest, in the most conclusive manner, its popularity. We understand it is contemplated to move the constabulary from the Rotorua side of the bush. They are fully equipped for road-making, and could be easily moved into a good camp already standing near the proposed work. We would suggest that these men be employed on the job at once, while the weather is good.