Ministerial Replies

Northland Age, Volume 27, Issue 16, 5 August 1927, Page 2

Ministerial Replies

KIRIPAKA—NGUNGURU ROAD. On the 26th July a deputation consisting of Colonel Allen Bell, and W. Jones M.P., waited on the Minister of Public Works re the construction of the Kiripaka—Ngunguru road. Colonel Bell pointed out to the Minister that there were fifteen of the Ngunguru settlers engaged in dairying, Up to the end of May they had produced 151,666 lbs of cream of a value of £4,044. The cost of cartage—twenty-six miles to Hikurangi was some £333, or over ten per cent. It was impossible for any district to progress under these conditions. In addition to this disability it sometimes took two days to get the cream to Hikurange owing to an unbridged river on the coast road. If the road were constructed between Kiripaka and Ngunguru the settlers would be within sixteen miles of Whangarei. Continuing Colonel Bell said that the Departmental attitude might be that there were only a small number of settlers effected holding land of a small rateable value. This, he ureed, should not weigh with the Minisfer. The district had been settled for many years, the settlers were of a good type, but the difficulties and expense of transport was retarding their progress. The road in question would ultimo tely be part of a great coast road * extending thtouhg Helena Bay to Russell and was therefore of National importance For this season the deputation asked th*t the construction be made a special item and that a small sum be placed on the forthcoming estimates to give it a start. Mr. Jones strongly supported the request and pointed out that if the vote were not made a special item it would adversely effect the raid construction programme ot the Whangarei County Council which had already a considerable amount of loan money waiting for sub. sidy from the Government. The Minister in reply stated that he had not yet had the report on the road submitted to him. He would take an early opportunity of looking _into the matter and advise the deputation of his decision later. In thanking the Minister Colonel Bell said that the deputation realised the impossibility of having any large amount placed on the Estimates this year, but what the settlers would appreciate was that the policy with regard to the road be defined and a start made with the construction as soon as finance would permit.