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Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1890, 16 August 1884, Page 2

In a very short time the tourist traffic to the Hot Lakes and interior will once more be active, and large crowds of people from all parts will be passing over the "Waikato route in that direction. The number of tourists that took advantage of the Waikato route during last year, is an indication of what may be expected during the coming season, the new route being now very popular and well known. The advantages of this route have already been enumerated, not only in these columns, but by tourists and'travellers generally who have had an opportunity of judging of the respective advantages, facilities and attractions of both routes that via Tauranga, and that via Hamilton and Cambridge. Our local coach proprietors have shown that the resources of their respective establishments are equal to any demand which may be made upon them, and have never failed to give satisfaction. They have materially increased their plants, at considerable cost, and are now in a position, (to use a much hackneyed intimation), to " execute orders with promptnes and despatch." Having done all in their power to secure favour and popularise the route, there still remains something to be done, which is not within the region of the coach, proprietors' duty, and

which will have to be attended to by our local bodies. We refer to the improvements necessary to the road. The Piako County Council has for a long time been making repeated representations to the Public Works Department, in reference to the condition of this important highway, and though it has obtained promises that the matter would receive immediate attention, these have turned out to be nothing more nor less than official equivocations, with which local bodies as a rule are very familiar. But the question of doing something can no longer be delayed, for as the traffic which will pass over the road as soon as the tourist season sets in will he something enormous, a good and substantial highway will have to be maintained.- Some people are of opinion that when the railway is opened to Lichfield the coaching traffic to the Lakes will start from that terminus, but this we cannot conceive to bo likely, and in any case the line cannot possibly be ready for traffic for another twelve months, so this can form no excuse for allowing the road to fall into disrepair. Those interested should now bestir themselves, and see that no unnecessary time is allowed to lapse in having the Rotorua road put in a fit and proper state for the heavy traffic of the coining season.