A MINISTER'S WEEK-END.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 115, 17 May 1909, Page 8

A MINISTER'S WEEK-END.

ROAD REQUESTS. j SOME PLAIN SPEAKING. The Minister for Roads (Hon. A. W. •Hogg) spent a busy week-end in the Wairarapa district, and returned to 'Wellington this morning. For some time past it appears there has been a dispute between the Roads Department and the Featherston County Council. Therefore, on Saturday, at the reqpiest of 'Mr. Buchanan, !M.P.,' Mr. Hogg proceeded to Featherston and iMartinborough, where he met the members of the County Council, together with several of the local residents and settlers. The deputation asked why the White Rocks-road was not being formed and proceeded with. It was pointed out that tlie road led to the East Coast, and that a sum of £1600 had been provided for it on the 'Estimates. The Minister replied that he had ascertained that the road was far from urgent. 'With the exception of the owners of one or two large estates, it would only benefit two or three small Crown leaseholders. He was, he added, certainly opposed, in view of the great needs of both men and women where there was a lot of close settlement, to the expenditure of money in that way, as it would only have the effect of enhancing the value of large properties. He was not inclined to make roads and bridges, involving the expenditure of considerable sums of money, to help the owners of big estates to get an increased price for their properties, should they sell them to the Government or private individuals. If those estates were disposed of afterwards to tho Government the Government would have virtually to buy its own roads and bridges over again. Several councillors pointed out that by a deviation the road could be made for about half the contemplated expenditure, and they promised to send details on in writing. Subsequently the Minister paid a visit to the Dyer Settlement, for the purpose of seeing for himself a piece of road, the grade of which is complained of. After viewing the road the Minister told those interested that they could hardly expect him to comment on the work done by the engineers of his own Department. He must say,, however, that he regretted the character of the grade, and what otherwise seemed to be an exceedingly important road, and one of easy grade, lie would get the Inspecting Engineer, who was not -only highly qualified, but, coming Irom another part of the Dominion, utterly unbiased, to look at the road, and his decision would have to be accepted as final. Returning to Martinborough, the Minister .had an interview with the Town Board, which urged that he should render it some assistance by way of endowments ; they wanted about 5000 acres of the 30,000 acres set apart by the Government as a deer park. The Minister replied that endowments were a question of policy, and they would have to apply to the Minister for Lands. Later on the Minister visited the Tablelands Estate, and crossed some small rivers, where it is said that bridges are required. The settlers stated they would be prepared to find half the cost of roading and bridging if the Government would find the other half, and the Minister promi&ed to have the matter reported on and to send a definite reply later on. To-morrow the Minister, accompanied by Mr. A. B. Wright, Inspecting Engineer, will leave on a visit of inspection to the Eketahuna country. He may also extend his trip as far as the Alfredton district.