THE MOUNTAIN ROAD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 40, 28 August 1880, Page 3

THE MOUNTAIN ROAD.

The deputation appointed at the meeting held at Normanby on Wednesday last — consisting of Messrs. H. Southey, S. Gray, J. Barleyman, and M. Hunter — waited upon the Hon. Mr. Bryce on Wednesday evening.

Mr. Barleyman, who introduced the deputation, related what had taken place at the Normanby meeting. He believed that when the s ttlers in the Ngaire district purchased their land, they were under the impression that the Government would metal the Mountain road and maintain it in a proper condition, and at the time some of the land was sold, tenders were actually called for gravelling a portion, of the road — he thought as far as the Mangawliero. The road was in such a bad condition as to render life almost unbearable to the settlers. There were very strong reasons, for metalling the road, and he (Mr. Barleyman) was under the impression that the Government had admitted as much. [He then read the resolution passed at the meeting, and handed it to the Hon. Mr. Bryce.] Mr. Southey pointed out that when some of the land was sold, a contract had actually been let to Mr. Nathan for gravelling from Stratford to Mangawhero. The Hon. Mr. Bryce — You say that the road was under engagement to be made when the land was offered for sale. Do you mean to say that the Govemin nt held out that as an inducement to purchasers ?

Mr. Southey — Yes; certainly I think they did. Mr. Barleyman did not think the Land Board had ever held out such an inducement in their advertisements, but the inference seemed natural.

Mr. Hunter remarked that the main roads had invariably been constructed by the General Government, and the settlers were under the impression that the Mountain road would not be made an exception to the general rule.

The .Hon. Mr. Bryce — It is open to question as to whether the road should be metalled at all, as it "would, no doubt,

interfere considerably with the traffic on the railway, seeing that it almost runs in a parallel line.

Mr. Soutbey urged that even a railway would require feeders. The Hon. Mr. Bryce thought it unlikely that a parallel road could come under the categoiy of a feeder. Cross roads did, and the more there were, so much the better for .the railwa3 r . He admitted the work was a desirable one ; but in consequence of the position of the Government, in respect to money matters, many works of importance in the colony would have to be abandoned. The Government had a very hard job, during the session, to contend against an impression, which was very prevalent amongst some members of the House, that an undue expenditure had been going on in this district. If the resolutions handed to him had got into the hands of members before the estimates were passed, he was afraid they would have been rather severely criticised.

Mr. Southey wished to draw attention also to the fact that when the settlers purchased their lands, they were not aware that they were liable for a shilling rate for the New Plymouth harbor, and no intimation whatever was given to them that such would be the case. In fact, it had only been found out within the past few days.

The Hon. Mr. Bryce replied that there was a fiction in our Constitution, by which it was supposed that every man ought to know tlie law. Mr. Barleyman could tell them all about that. But so far as he could see, he did not think there was any possible escape from the rate. On the other hand, it must be remembered that a good harbor at New Plymouth would ver3' much enhance the value of the land throughout the district. Mr. Barleyman said the people were all aware of that ; but they did not believe that the harbor could be made for the amount raised.

Mr. Southey wished to know whether there was any hope of something being done with the Mountain road, because several of the settlers were already so sick of their position, in consequence of the deplorable condition of the road, that they were talking of selling out, and if something was not done, he believed that very few of them would remain on their holdings.

The Hon. Mr. Bryce said the fact was, that th • Government were suffering from the want of funds, and several roads of equal importance had to be abandoned in consequence. He admitted that it was a very desirable work to do ; but there were several railway lines in the colo^' which had no roads running parallel with them. He would place the views of the deputation before Mr. Oliver, and ask him to bring the matter before the Cabinet.

Mi*. Hunter pointed out that a large sum had already been voteJ for the rnaintenancT of roads in the North Island. Was there no chance of getting some of it for the Mountain road ?

The Hon. Mr. Bryce said there was a possibility, but he could hold out no proniise.

Mr. Hunter remarked that the settlers on the banks of the Waingongoro deserved more thau ordinary consideration at the hands of the Government. He considered that the settlers, in coming to the district at such a time, had indirectly paid a compliment to the Government, and to the policy it was pursuing. Mr. Bryce — And to the quality of the soil. The Government have no objection to receiving as many compliments as you like to give them, but they object to pay for them.

Mr. Hunter said the Native Minister had admitted, in his statement, that the best way to settle the native difficulty was to settle the people on the land, and if the Mouutain road was metalled, it would be the means of placing a large body of settlers all along it.

Mr. Gray pointed out that all the land in blocks XIII. and XIV., in the Ngnire district, had fetched as liigli as £,8 10s. per acre, and that was principal^ due to the fact that the purchasers were under the impression that the road would be metalled.

The Hon. Mr. Bryce said th.ifc, although it might seem strange for him to say so, he had no desire to encourage extravagant prices for land. He admitted that the doctrine, that a road should not be made alougside of a railway, was not always desirable. He would do all he could to lay the views ot the deputation before the Government.

The deputation thanked the lion, gentleman for his courtesy, and withdrew.