MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 3, 22 January 1930, Page 4

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

VISIT LAST WEEK. ROAD AND BRIDGE REQUIREMENTS. MANY REQUESTS FOR GRANTS. Travelling from Mangonui, via Fairburns and Duncan Road, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, arrived in Kaitaia last Wednesday evening. Included in his party were Capt. H. M. Rushworth, M.P. for Bay of Islands, and Mr. J. McEnnis, District Engineer of Public Works. Receiving deputations at the County Council Chambers at 8.30 p.m., the Minister after being officially welcomed by the county chairman (Mr. W. Vickers), was met by requests for grants, totalling in the vicinity of £SOOO, for road and bridge works, the hope being expressed that the items asked for would find a place on next year’s estimates. A deputation from the Drainage Committee also requested information as to what relief would be given in regard to the cost of the drainage scheme. To the requests made the Minister promised careful consideration. Ahipara Riding RequestsA grant for the carrying out of formation and culverting work on Roma road, to give a large number of native settlers access to the main road, was put forward by Cr. Berghan. He also- asked tor a grant for the improvement of the Wainui Tunction-Ahipara Beach and Ahipara gumfields roads. Herekino And Houhora *. Ridings Mr. W. Vickers (chairman) asked for financial assistance for the Herekino-Whangape Road, and tor Corbett’s road and 1. Reid’s access road. A strong plea for a grant to effect repairs on the Wa'papa-kauri-West Coast road was submitted by Cr. Evans. He stressed the importance of this road as a means of access to the beach, nointing out also that it was used to bring toheroas to the canning factory. Awanui and MangonuiApplication for grants for Lake Ohia-Merita, Parapara, Duncan, Kumi and Quarry roads were submitted by (Cr, L. J. Matthews. The claim for a grant for the Ohia-Whituwhiwhi road was supported bv Mr. Henry King, who urged the importance of the native dairy-farmers being able to get their morning’s cream to to the dairy factory each day. Particulars of each of the roads mentioned were detailed by Mr. McEnnis (district engineer of Public Works) at the Minister’s request.

The necessity for urgent repairs to the Mangonui-Hospital road was stressed by Cr. Wrathall who pointed out the road was used for the transport of patients to and from the hospital. He asked for a grant of £2OO, £1 for £l.

Urgent repair work on the Taipa bridge was also applied for by Cr. Wrathall. He pointed out the question of renewing the structure had been considered but at the present time the cost was prohibitive ; the engineer, however, had estimated an expenditure of £3OO would give the bridge an added life of ten years, and a grant of this amount was asked for,

The district engineer stated £25 had been authorised for a survey to ascertain whether a better

bridge site could be found. Cr. Wrath,d! also brought up the question of raising Carton’s corner above flood-level. He asked the Minister to use his influence to induce the Main Highways Board to give a subsidy ot £3 for £1 for carrying out the work. Oruru And Valley Ridings. A strong plea for funds for urgent repair work on the OruruParanui road, described to the Minister as a long stretch of road with all the settlers at the far end, was voiced by Cr. Barriball. He pointed out the road was the settlers’ only access to the dairy factory, and strongly urged consideration for the large number of settlers. Councillor Barriball also urged the provision of grants' for the Parapara and Honeymoon Valley roads.

Supported by Messrs. D. Banks and A. McL. Wright, Cr. D. Kitchen strongly urged the completion of the Takahue-Broadwood road,’ the deputation pointing out that it would provide a shorter route between Kaitaia and Rawene than the routes via Mangamuka and Herekino. The improvement of Mangatoetoe road, to link the Fairburns district with the main KaitaiaMangamuka route, was solicited bv Cr. Kitchen. Mr. J. M. Dawson spoke strongly in supportSpeaking later with reference to the Takahue-Broadwood road, the district engineer stated there was a sum of money on the estimates which had not been expended and which could be used for metalling to link up the unmetalled portions of the road. Kaitaia Riding. Contending very little had been

spent on the road, on which he had lived for 15 vears, Cr. F. Holder asked for a grant of £2OO for Clough’s road, which he stated was recognised to be a short cut through to Church road. A request for a grant for the Fryer’s road deviation when the survey had been completed was also made by Cr, Holder. District Member Gives Support Support of the requests submitted by the various deputations was voiced by Captain H. M. Rushworth, M.P. for Bay of Islands, who was familiar with the requirements of the various roads mentioned. Capt. Rushworth explained that the Hon. Mr. Ransom had been very ill but had made this tour at great personal sacrifice in deference to a promise made to the speaker.

“You will notice,” stated Capt. Rushworth in addressing the council, ‘ that while I have obtained money for the electorate it has been allocated to each county and it has been left to the riding members of each of the counties to decide how and where that money shall be spent.” Minster’s Reply“l am not prepared to state that the on relief works has given £1 for £1 in value,” stated the Minister in addressing the council, “but certainly credit must be given to Mr. McEnnts, the district engineer, and his staff’ for the excellent work being done in North Auckland. The best roads in the North appear to be those constructed under relief works, and from what I have seen the relief works will not be reduced, although the North is probably getting more than its shareBut 1 would like to see the backblocks settler getttng better service.” Prosperous Land And Neglected RoadsAs he came towards Kaitaia,

the Minister stated, he had thought from the class of the land and pastures and the fine homes, that this district was heading more towards prosperity; and when he saw the splendid county council offices he had thought, “Here is a district that will not be asking for free grants.” “I find, however,” the Hon. Mr. Ransom said, “that 22 roads have apparently been neglected, and a sum of £SOOO is asked for.”

"County Maintenance Criticised” “I am not going to say the county council is doing its share in the matter ot maintenance,” the Minister said. In one place on the trip through we came across a big boulder in the middle of the road, and to pass it had to go off the road into fern three or four feet high. The council does not need £l for £l for removing that stone. If I had had & pick I would have removed it myself.” Back-blocks Vote The previous administration had earmarked £50,000 for expenditure, at the discretion of the Minister, on back-block areas. Immediately on taking office, Mr. Ransom stated, he had gone into the matter, and, "unding more was needed, had had the vote increased to £70,000. It had been his intention last session to put through legislation whereby 7 per cent of the petrol tax would also be available but in view of the happenings during the session and the opposition which would probably have been forthcoming, he had reluctantly-decid-ed not to introduce the bill but to discuss the question during the recess.

Concluding with thanks for the expressions in regard to his health, the Hon. Mr. Ransom stated he had been advised by his doctor to take a spell and had rested for a fortnight. But having promised to come North he had not gone near his own doctor for fear he should have been ordered to cut the trip out. He was pleased to say, however, that the trip through the Norto had benefltted his health, and he was very pleased to have been able to keep faith with Capt. Rushworth and his constituents.