BACK-BLOCK ROADS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1911, Page 2

BACK-BLOCK ROADS.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir, — After waiting 18 months for the Minister of Eoads and Bridges to do something to reduce the difficulties under which we are compelled by him to subsist, we feel that we cannot do any harm by writing to your paper stating our case. To commence with, I may tell you that there are seventeen settlers directly connected with this particular block. The Ahoroa and Moea-watea-roads, if opened up, would be used by many settlers farther back to drive stock to their most suitable market, namely, Waveriey, but neither they i nor we can get along as we ought, and all because of tho "Taihoa" and apparently "don't-are-for-your-plight" policy of our Mr. M'Kenzie. A sum of £600 was voted by Parliament during November, 1909, for the widening ot the Ahoroa-road, but not a cent, ot this sum was expended, in the said widening for more- than a year, and up to now there is only about 18 chains of widening commenced costing, we suppose, perhaps £20. A sum of money was granted for making the 6ft track (Moeawalea and Opaku), and not a penny of this money was expended for our welfare. Several settlers have from one mile to three miles of trackless bush to tak-e stock through to sections, and almost invariably lose some. Now, sir, when we read of" the Minister for Roads having stated that he has- spent ;0270,000 or more on back-blacks roads during the year that is past, we wonder whatever has become of it. A like sum is mentioned as being earmarked for similar purposes for the ensuing year. Will we get any? We have wished more than once that -we could got hold of the hon. gentleman and mete out to him a little of th© treatment that we are receiving at his llands. We have petitioned several times, and the last communication we had from the head office ran something like this : "Am making enquiries, and will write you further when a report comes to hand." iieads very fair, doesn't it? Well, sir, it is, we believe, some time over six months since that letter was written us, so perhaps the reporter, or engineer, or whoever is responsible, is using up some of the £270,000 before he reports. But be that as it may, we are needing help, and the Minister is able to do what we want. Will he, though ? Bridge-mending, cleaning-up, track-cutting, etc., etc., has been don© by settlers for nothing, but the dangers along the way are ineieasing, and the Minister must bestir liimself on our behalf, or some fatality will occur, and he will be to blame. — I am, etc. (for settlers of Moeawatea Valley), CHAS. PERKINS. Whenuakura, 21st Jan., 1911.