HELP NEEDED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32620, 12 September 1945, Page 6

HELP NEEDED

APPEAL TO THE MINISTER COROMANDEL COUNTY ! STRONG CASE OUTLINED j I i “ During’ the counties confer- i ence last week the Coromandel county delegates, Mr E. Deeble, county chairman, and Mr J. H. Lucas, count)’ clerk, had hoped to see you in connection with road i and bridge problems in the county. As your time was fully occupied, however, they did not press me to arrange a deputation, but asked me to submit the case they wished to draw to your attention. This is enclosed herewith together with a litho of the county showing its road system. There are also some photographs of one of the bridges (No. 6 in the council’s document) which collapsed not very long ago,” stated a letter from Mr J. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, to the Minister of Works, Hon. R. Semple. The letter continued: — -“The general comment I wish to make is that Coromandel County is in an exceptionally difficult position, a fact which I know you have recognised, seeing that during your minis-

try you have given it generous treatment. 'The county consists almost entirely of hill country, the road and track mileage are substantial, the bridges with’few exceptions are in a bad condition and the population is small. “It is as clear as anything to me that it is quite beyond the county’s capacity to make any financial contributions proportionate to the cost of providing the road, ford and bridge facilities which are clamouring for construction. Safety of Traffic “.One matter about which the county is particularly concerned, and which places it at a serious disadvantage with many other counties, is that there is not a mile of State highway in its whole area. Hence on every

inch of its roads and tracks the county has to meet either the entire cost of maintenance or ipay a contribution-to your department. This fact alone should weigh with you when you are asked for favourable consideration, as for instance free grants for the bridges referred to, which are in a dangerous condition and the cost of which is so substantial as to make anything like a normal contribution by the county impossible. 'Hence if you require such a contribution, the construction of these bridges will simply not be carried out, to the prejudice of the safety of the traffic. “As to main highways, the county was unfortunate in that just before you initiated your policy in this matter it had been agreed that the road between -Coromandel and Colville should be made a main highway. This road was excluded from your administration, and still is a county road. It is about 18 miles in length, and runs through hill country very sparsely populated. If this could' be made a main highway it would afford relief that would' be appreciated'. As to some of the particular proposals, I would like to say:— “(1) The widening of the tracks is particularly desirable. Their maintenance by pick, shovel and wheelbarrow is out of the question, and they should be wide enough to enable the council’s grader to operate along them.

(2)i As to 1,2, 3 and 4, in the county council’s document: I have ■been working for these proposals ever since my first approach to you in 1936 on behalf of the council. Very considerable work has been done lately—and very good work too —and the present proposals are designed to make further progress towards the completion of the coastal road’—from Port Jackson to Port Charles —a magnificent drive if ever there was one. State of Bridges “(3) As to the bridges 6 and 7: The photographs will give you an idea of what the problem at one of these is. The other bridge near the Kuaotunu Post Office is very old and its condition dangerous. If this 1 one collapses like the other, drownings are quite possible. “(4) Kaimarama road: I was on this road some weeks ago. Its condition was just shocking. A soldier has recently been rehabilitated on a farm at the end of it. The settlers in the winter could hardly operate under worse conditions. “>(s)' Cupp’s road, Whenuakite: Months ago at the request of the Coromandel Rehabilitation Committee you agreed to make a grant of £4OO towards this road. I conveyed this information to the committee but the county council has not yet been advised. I would be glad it you would convey youi' offer' to the council. “ (6) As to the Opito Bay road I will be making a separate aproach to you.. When I am told that only recently, owing to the lack of telephonic connection and the bad road, a woman give birth to a child at night by the wayside, with no help but her husband’s, and that after birth the husband had to carry the baby in one arm and help his wife return home with the other, I feel that good and necessary as your financial requirements may be, there is a strong case sometimes for easing them on the grounds of humanity. “Pardon this lengthy, letter. It is a sort of ‘cry from Macedonia.’ ”