PUBLIC WORKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 67, 18 March 1916, Page 9

PUBLIC WORKS.

aninsTEß die toitr. KING COUNTRY DEPUTATIONS. TK (KUITI, Friday. The Hon. \V. Fraser, Minieter of Public Works, arrived at Te Kuiti to-day from his tour of the K&whia and Marokopa districts. The Minieter was accompanied by Mr. W. T. Jennings, member for the district, ilessre. A. Scholes, chairman of the Waitomo County Council, and P. Mora, County Clerk. During the afternoon the Minister received several deputations on road matters at the county chambers. Messrs. Bright well, Julian, and Hargreaves brought before the Ministeh's notice the scheme being promoted by eettlere of the Kopaki district for the purpose of metalling the roads between the railway and the Mapru end of the Tangihi settlement. It was pointed out that settlement was in the pioneer stage, and the settlers were anxious to raise a substantial loan for the purpose of advancing the interests of the district generally. The Minieter was requested to provide a subsidy for •the'loan. Mr. Fraeer said it was out of the question to guarantee such assistance at present, but he -would be glad to do all in hie power to assist the settlers #ien money was available. Mr. D. Wilson, on behalf of Kopaki settlers on the eastern side of the railway, asked for assistance in building a bridge on the Tunariki Road. The settlers had constructed a bridge themselves some time ago, bat a flood carried h. away, and a number of them were deprived of an outlet to the railway except through private property. It was pointed out that the settlers were already included in a special rating area' for the Ahuroa Road.

The Minister promised to go into the matter, and would favourably consider the request if it was within his power. Messrs. R. B. Webber and J. Nreholls applied for a subsidy to a loan of £600 for metalling the Ma-ngaorino Road. It was stated the road wae portion of the main North and South Road, and that portfon for which the subsidy was aeked was impoeeable in winter. Mr. Fraser said, in view of the fact that the settlers had done a good deal themselves, and had not received Government assistance, he -would do what he could for the settlers. The Minister left for Wellington by the evening express. OTHER DEPUTATIONS. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. During the Hon. Fraser's visit from Kinohaku and Marokopa to Piopio, Mr. W. T. Jennings introduced numbers of settlers with reference to various matters. At Lemon Point Mr. Derecourt epoke about the Whakapirau Valley Road, Mr. Porteous about Tanmatotara East Road, Messrs. Hally and Templeton re widening about three miles of the Maungokopohua Road. The Minister promised to see how matters stood at the end of March, and was sympathetic. At Mangaoe, requests for bridges over the Pomerangi and Mangobae Streams were made by Councillor Thorns. At Piopio, Mr. R. Johnson, on behalf of Temapara settlers, asked that Kafcuwera Road be altered in swampy -places. A report is to be obtained in these matters. Delay over Piopio post office building •was represented by Messrs. Hathaway and Batcher. The Minister promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Postmaster-General. A request for a traffic bridge over the Mokau River to the Domain Ground, at Piopio, was made by Mr. Power and others, b»i could not be acceded to at preirc?-