METALLING PROJECT.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17980, 27 March 1930, Page 7

METALLING PROJECT.

PUKEMIRO-ROTOWARO. SUGGESTION TO SETTLERS. Give work instead of money. (Special Reporter.).. I-lUNTLY, This day. With regard to the representations made to the Minister of Lands, Hon. G. W. Forbes, on his recent tour of the' Raglan electorate, asking for the metalling of the Pukemiro-Rotowaro Road, the matter was referred the Minister of Public,Works, Hon. Ei. A. Ransom, who has replied to Mr W. Lee Marlin, M.P., as follows: — “ I have to advise that my colleague, the Minister of Lands, has informed me of 'the representations concerning the metalling of the Rotowaro-Puke-niiro Road, which were made to him by the deputation from the Huntly Town Board, Miners’ Union, and mine owners, introduced by you at Waingaro. and in this connection I have to point out that, as you are aware, the question concerning the metalling of this road has been under consideration on numerous occasions during the past 12 months or so. It has been decided on each occasion that the circumstances attaching to the case did not warrant more liberal assistance from the Government that a £1 for £1 subsidy, and in view -of this I regret- to state that I am unable to let you have a favourable reply to the present request. It is noted that the settlers cannot see their way to raise a loan sufficient to finance half the cost of this metalling, and in view of this it has occurred to me that possibly, those interested might be able to arrange with the council to provide a certain amount of free labour in lieu of a cash contribution. In the event of satisfactory arrangements in this direction being made, I would be quite prepared -to approve such a proposal, and the question of authorising the Government contribution, on a,£l for £1 basis, could then receive further -consideration. Concerning the request that the work be undertaken as a relief work, I have to point out that it, is not customary for road metalling to be carried out in this manner, and, in any case, it is considered that there are at present sufficient works in hand for the purpose'of relieving the unemployed situation in the Auckland district.” DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. GENEROUS SUBSIDY PROMISED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. —Copyright. HUNTLY, Thursday. During the Minister’s visit to Huntly to-day he was waited on by a deputation from the Town Board and ladies, representing the Rotowaro and Pukemiro settlers. Mr. W. C. E. George, chairman of the Town Board, pointed out that the settlers of Rotowaro are unable to , take advantage of hospital facilities at I Huntly, as in wet weather the ambulance is unable to get out to the district. Mr. G. N. S. Thomas said the road is very dangerous for everybody traversing it. Motorists found it so and mothers could not even take out their children for an airing in perambulators. The settlers considered they are very unfairly treated. Mr. Lee Afar tin pointed out that £IB,OOO had been spent on the Huntly Hospital, but the institution was very largely empty, as the ambulance could not get through to this district, while there was' a big population. Sometimes it was necessary to travel 22 miles to get from Pukemiro to Huntly, as against eight miles if the direct road was properly repaired. Mr. P. Hunter said that while not a highway road it was a very important connecting link, opening up a considerable area of back country. There were four large collieries 'there and when accidents occurred the injured men had to be conveyed 30 miles to Hamilton, The Minister’s Reply. Air. Ransom said he was impressed with the necessity of metalling. He was surprised, however, that the county council had not taken advantage of the £1 for £1 subsidy long ago. It seemed to him a fair offer. Air. Campbell Johnstone said the council got insufficient revenue ffom the road to warrant the expenditure and future upkeep. He thought the matter was one fpr the Alines Department. Air. Lee Alartin said the road would carry a large bulk of the traffic, relieving the other county outlets. Air. George said the difficulty could be overcome by declaring the road a county one. Mr. Johnstone: There is not a Buckley’s chance of that. Mr. Ransom offered a subsidy of £2 . if the balance was provided out of the county funds, but if a loan is raised the subsidy will be 30/-. The Alinister was heartily thanked for his generous offer.