A SHORT CUT

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12534, 22 April 1935, Page 3

A SHORT CUT

WHA.KATANE TO NAPIER

£2,000,000 WORTH OF TREES

REQUEST REFUSED FOR REOPENING OF ROAD.

Representations made by members of the Napier Chamber of Oooiaaoerce to the Minister of Lands,' tho Hon. E. A. Ransom, when he was in Napier last., week, that the RangitnikiNapior road, via Muripara, ‘should be re-opened, received the reply that as the Forestry Department had £2,000,000 worth of trees in that locality there was little likelihood of' the Government’s agreeing to the road being re-opened. Mr. Harvey persisted that there was evidence to show the need for the road being re-open-ed, and the Minister promised to give consideration to any fresh evidence which might come before his notice. Mr. Barnard introduced the deputation, which comprised Messrs. .W. Harvey and Haskell Anderson. .Mr. Harvey said that both tho Whnkatnno County Council and the Napier Chamber of Commerce had taken the matter up with the Government. The road had been in existence for over 00 years, and was the main artery through that district, and had been the main stock route. It cut 70 miles from tho distance by road between Napier and Whakatane. Ho urged the Minister to give consideration to affidavits that made many people had used this road as a stock route, and that the Government had spent money upon it. It was felt that the road should he. reopened and maintained. The Minister said he was familiar with the road and hod given the question every consideration. He was in charge of the Forestry i ><:- partment, which had £2,000.000 worth of trees there belonging to ihe people of the Dominion, and wliat some people were apt to overlook was that these forests did belong to them, and that, it was the Minister’s responsibility to protect the forests. So far as the actual road access was concerned, tho department had all the access it required, and unless some good evidence could he adduced, he saw no good reason for making any alteration to the present circumstances. He had no intention of reopening the road. There was a, great risk, during dry -weather, of forests catching five, and it could not he shown that allowing people to use the road through the forest would not add to the danger. What county count'd would undertake the responsibility of maintaining the road ? There were no settlers, and it would be a charge upon tho Government. He was sorry, but, he was satisfied the Government was acting correctly in refusing to open the road. Mr. Harvey said it was maintained, nevertheless, that the road was needed. Mr. Barnard suggested that Mr. Harvey should make available to the Minister any further evidence he had upon the subject. Mr. Harvey agreed, and the Minister saicTne would be pleased to consider any evidence which cilme before his notice. .