A ROAD GRIEVANCE AT TUAKAU.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4177, 3 January 1871, Page 3

A ROAD GRIEVANCE AT TUAKAU.

To the Editor of the Dailt Southern Cross. Sir, — In spite of all \ the difficulties the farmer is suffering under in consequence of the low pticea now going for stock, &c, it is pleasing to see the spirit shown by them in bearing up against the stream. Crops are looking very well in thia district. It is sad to think that more cannot be grown ; but when one looks round and sees the roads which would have to be used if they did, it is then no wonder that farming in the outdistricts is in a languid state. Above, all settlers, I fancy the fate of the Tuakau settlers is the most painful ; they not having to contend against the usual disadvantages of a bad road Qnly ; as is the case in all country districts wiiere population is sparse, and the funds low, but in addition to all this their great and grievous want is the want of the line of road shown to them on the map in the General Government fiand Office at the time, and previous to the purchase of their farms. The line of road as surveyed crossed some few farms adjoining the Tuakau block, belonging to private parties, and there has never been an attempt made by the Government since to procure it, although it is still to be seen in the Land Office, by would-be purchasers, marked with the high-sounding title of "The Road to Auckland." There was a memorial sent some time since to the Assembly on this right of way, and in the committee of the House the waut of the road was designated a scandal, and an early settlement of it was advised. Previous to this a few trustees lately in office, Jot reasons best known to themselves, pressed the late Provincial Secretary until he wrote to the General Government requesting a deviation which would suit them< They obtained the sanction of crossing an unsold farm, and a promise of £176 in scrip towards it, if the settlers would give £330 in. labour or money. A grand offer — was it not ?— f or the dupedpurchasers ; a tempting bait no doubt. This proposed deviation was condemned by a meeting of land purchasers in the Tuakau block in the strongest language possible, as was also the conduct of the late trustees. So strong was it in fact that the late trustees, having received a copy of the resolutions passed at the meeting from fcha ohairman, pronounced them libellous, and threatened to tako legal proceedings against the meeting. The Government will in the end have to listen to the purchasers of their land. What would a private individual do if he represented a line of road on a plan, and sold his land by it j tcaA. alter th» sals could not make his representation good ? Why, sir, he would be compelled to be honest if he had any remaining property, eveu though he had to atfcendjat the Judge's levees in the Supreme Court. It would be well were the Government to make an effort to settle this scandalous affair, even though it has been left as a legacy and passed down from their predecessor. It is in vain this continual shelving of it from time to time, expecting time to work wonders. It is easy bowing a deputation towards the door, but, sir, t this subject will still crop up. — I am, Ac, B. Hareis, Pukekohe.