FIVE YEAR PLAN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2669, 13 September 1937, Page 5

FIVE YEAR PLAN

METALLED ACCESS ROADS SETTLERS IN ISOLATION PUBLIC WORKS ASSISTANCE. Inquiry by Mr Jas. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, of the Minister of Public Works as to how he intended to proceed with his five-year plan to provide metalled access to settlers in isolated districts has brought the following reply : On my visits of inspection on public works since I was appointed Minister of Public Works I have become concerned about the large numbers of settlers in outlying districts—particularly in the North Island —who have been on their farms for years and who cannot utilise them to the best advantage because they are still without allweather access in the shape of metalled roads.

It appeared to me that the problem should be tackled orderly and according to a properly planned programme spread over a period of years. The first essential in preparing such a plan is to have reliable information regarding the total mileage of used and unmetalled roads in the Dominion and the estimated cost of metalling them. Each of my district engineers has therefore been requested to prepare a return showing in respect of every road in use in his district and which gives access to genuine settlers: (1) Name of road, (2) length unmetalled, (3) approximate estimated cost (in round figures) of metalling it, (4) order of urgency, (5) number of settlers who would be served, (6) class of farming followed by settlers concerned and (7) length and estimated cogt of metalling which could be carried out this year if the same amount of money were provided for metalling of roads as during last financial year.

A county council should be in a position to supply the most reliable information regarding used and unmetalled roads in the county, and I suggested, therefore, that the district engineers should request each county council to supply a schedule of all unmetalled roads in use within its boundaries. When I have received the schedule which district engineers have been asked to furnish, the matter of finance and amounts to be provided by local bodies, and the order of urgency of metalling the roads will then be considered by me.