STATE OF ROADS

Northern Advocate, 25 October 1935, Page 2

STATE OF ROADS

A MOTORING TRIP TO FAR NORTH,

Messrs. F. Rowe, E. T. Frost and H. H. Dacre have been on a visit to Parengarenga They left Kaitaia by motor car on Saturday morning, traversing the main north road. From a few miles beyond Houhora the road was very rough, and when within half-an-hour of Parengarenga the car got bogged for about two hours. Though the road from Te Paki Station to Parenga is bad, they learned that it is in good order between the beach and Te Paki, so that the best route for those visiting the extreme north at present is along the beach. They were most favourably impressed, in passing through Te Hapua, with the work being done by the pupils of the school /n cultivating plots for vegetables, and were interested to find that the bell in use at the school \vas that taken off the Forest Hall, which was wrecked on the beach many years ago. They found Colonel Bell looking well. The Colonel is still supervising, in an honorary capacity, drainage and other works done by the natives, his knowledge of the native character enabling him to establish a good . relationship! with the workers and get the best results. i

The rewards are strictly according to results, and the natives fully understand that, without work, there can be no pay. The contract or piece work system has been adopted. Knowing that they are treated fairly and justly, the natives show no resentment of the strict surveillance over their activities. The object of the work in progress is to place the Maoris in such a position that they can sustain themselves with the produce of their lands, added to the food which the sea and beaches provide. Colonel Bell, though not in his old form', discussed with a lively interest the political .situation, but the persuasion of hundreds of his old supporters has not induced him again to enter the . lists for Parliamentary honours. He feels that the state of his health does not permit him to offer, at the present time the services the electorate needs. Mr Rowe and his friends returned to Kaitaia on Tuesday, having experienced good weather for practically the whole time they were away, i