ACCESS TO THE CITY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 233, 25 June 1908, Page 3

ACCESS TO THE CITY.

NEW ROAD FROM MAKARA. A DEPUTATION. A deputation representing tho Makara County- Council waited upon tho Hon. J. M'Gowan (Minister ; in chargo of the Roads Department on Tuesday morning, to ask for Government aid in tho construction .of a new road from Makara to Wellington. Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., who introduced tho deputation, said that the Hon. W. HallJones, who was then in chargo of the Department, was approachcd in this matter two years ago by a deputation which submitted a plan of the proposed road. Tho Minister then stated that he would have tho matter looked into and visit the locality himself, but nothing had been done. The present road was a very unsatisfactory ono. It .wound over a very steep hill, and consequently the settlers had great difficulty iu getting their produce to Wellington. A large quantity of dairy produco camo from'the Makara A alley, and tho largest fishing statjon in the Dominion was on Makara Bay. The estimated' cost of the new road was £6000, and they - asked tho Government to grant a '£ for £ subsidy. Hawkins (chairman of the Makara County Council) stated that three miles of tho road had been-formed without any assista??,° fr"? 1 le Government, and they wore still paying interest on the ; loan which had to bo raised to pay for the work. This was the first application they had made to tho .Government for a grant, and he thought that this should be taken into account. . The .Minister, in reply, said that, as the plans of tho proposed road wore in tho Department, he would be able to look fully into tho matter, and would see what, funds were available when ' the House met. The most needy and deserving oases would rcceive first consideration, and he could not make any definite promise. Ho knew that .roads and tracks were particularly necessary to people m a dairying district, and he would do his best to meet the difficulties. , j