Pipiwai Settlers Want To Be “Out Of The Mud”

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1939, Page 7

Pipiwai Settlers Want To Be “Out Of The Mud”

Metalling of the Tipene Valley Road, and the eventual linking up of a route between Motatau and Pipiwai were urged upon the Minister of Public Works ; at Kawakawa by a deputation from the Hikurangi Dairy Company. No district he knew of would repay better the opening up of this limestone country, said Mr F, McDonald, a director of the company. Metal now extended a mile beyond the Motatau railway station, while the farthest distant white supplier was five miles beyond, and two residents had been in the mud for 30 year’s. The Native Department had surveyed a route which would link Pip : • wai district with the Motatau railway station. Cost of Metalling. Mr J. Wood, manager of the Hikurangi Dairy Company, estimated that the metalling of the road, enabling the use of lorries, would save £l5O per annum in cream collection costs. No road in the company’s area required consideration more urgently. Twenty-six settlers were established, producing 100,0001bs of fat. Mr C. W. Boswell, M.P., lent his support, the deputation stating that the case was a pressing one concerning settlers who had long been faced with the worst backblocks conditions. Will be Considered. Promising to take up the matter with the Native Minister, Mr Semple said that one of the difficulties when the work wlas contemplated as a relief work was that no Unemployed labour was, available. However, it appeared that competent men were necessary for the particular job, men who could swing a “banjo” and not find it an instrument of torture in their hands. The County Council had suggested that the ro'ad be placed on the FiveYear Plan, and the cost spread over three years; but had declined to contribute anything. That being the case, it would be for the Government to decide when and how the work should be done.