CAMBRIDGE-ROTORUA ROAD.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1998, 28 April 1885, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE-ROTORUA ROAD.

Travellers and others who had occasion to pass over this road la^t winter well know what a deplorable state it was then in, and how very unpleasant it was even for horse traffic. For several months it was with great difficulty that the mail coach succeeded in making iti way from Cambridge to Ohinencutu, and waggon traffic was carried on at great cont and very coniider ablo risk. The road being a colonial road and one of the principal in the province, the Piako County Council took a paternal interest in it, and though it was altogether outside their province, in the interest of thn district they paid it every attontion and spent a good few pounds in keeping it open. They instructed their engineer, Mr T. G. Sandes, t<> report upon that section of it between the Gorton junction and Oxford, and that gentleman estimated that to put it in anything like passable or permanent repair about £800 would have to be expended. The council laid the matter before the Public Works Department, pointing out the great impoitance of the roud, with the result that ati adequate .turn was placed on the Estimates during the ensuing session for its immediate and thorough repair. When the fine weather »et in the Goveinment put a number of mon to work, and the road was put in excellent condition for tho summer. About £500 of the grant was expended, but tho repairs, though pretty expensive, were not by any means of a permanent character, and ho tho road h now relapsing into its old state, and promiKes bofore very long to be almost as bad as ever. Indeed, wo are assured that unless something is done immediately, a few weeks bad weather— and the bad weather in near at hand— will make the section between Cambridge and Oxford very unpleasant for passenger traffic. Now that tho road has bocome the popular route to tho Hot Lakes nnd intorior, and coach loadi of tourist** aio daily passing over it, the Government would do well to soe that it is not ncgloctod. The greater portion of the grant is still unexpended, and there can, therdforo, bo nothing to prevent the Government Retting a gang of men to work, and making tho road good for tho winter. Tho Piako County Council mepts at Cambridge to-morrow, and no doubt the mattrr will be brought forward and, receivo duo attontion,