DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER, ON ROADS THROUGH THE INTERIOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4373, 18 November 1875, Page 3

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER, ON ROADS THROUGH THE INTERIOR.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs. J. C.: Firth, F. Whitaker, and T. Morrin, yesterj day waited upon the Hcm.V Dr. Pollen, the Premier, with reference to the construction of roads in - the Upper Waikato. The depu-j tation was conducted by Mr. J. C. Firth. ' Having been introduced, Mr. Fikth said : We have waited upon you with regard to the Waikato. I will, as shortly as possible, explain to you the state of affairs with regard to the road from Caiubridge to Taupo on the one hand, and from Cambridge to. Tauranga on the other. Some time ago a survey was | undertaken by the Government of the road from Cambridge to Tauranga, and wai j stopped by the interference of the Maoris. Since then:all difficulties as far as the Wai- | hou River have been removed. The road j that the Government intended making | then I will just shortly point out to j you on a rough sketch I bave made of the country. ITh e' rpad;; here marked can be made at once without any native difficulty whatever, as nearly the. whole of it goes over pvivr.te European freehold land. [The plan was here produced, and the line of road explained.] Mr. Firth continued : The -object for which we have waited upon you is to ask your interest in carrying - this road through to Taupo or to the Lakes. The road to Tauranga Ido not think is of so much consequence, and it was there the difficulty occurred last year. There is only one portion-of .the road that is at all difficult, and that is a little piece—perhaps a mile and a-half or two miles —at the point where the range strikes the Waikato river. The whole Of the road has been surveyed by the Government. The object I apprehend the Government will be anxious to secure will be to get a through line of communication from Cambridge, either to Taupo or to the Lakes. Now, 1 wos informed by a gentleman that all opposition is removed, so far as regards the owners of that land, by whom some trouble was previously caused. I am told by a gentleman well acquainted with native affairs—whose name . I have only to mention, to shew that my information is absolutely correct —that the natives are anxious to have the road to Taupo and the Lakes made, ■ and with the exception of the small piece previously referred to there is no engineering difficulty whatever to be met with. The road can be very easily made, and I am sure you will allow it will be of very great advantage to the whole of the settlers of the Waikato. It will also open up the Lake country, and take numbers of visitors there by coach, and will complete the line of communication with Napier. I think the line of road to the Lakes is more needed, because you can ' get to Taupo by that way; however, the other road can be made with comparatively little difficulty. As to the native difficulty, I do not think it any longer exists. I may say, in the Waikato there is a considerable number of the Armed. Constabulary, who are doing absolutely nothing but their ordinary military duties, and, I think »it would suit the Government if they were employed to do this work. It is a class of work they could very well do. There is no difficulty - about it, as it is nearly all what is termed" wheelbarrow work. X merely give thi3 as a suggestion. The line of road is almost level, and will only require a few cuttings and sidelings to be made. The Premier; I need not tell you that the Government are very anxious to do that work, and have only been withheld by Maori difficulties. Every" attempt to force that road has caused agitation and rendered it undesirable to continue the work, as we knew what consequences might arise from our doing so. Mr. Firth : I do not know that any harm is likely to arise, from my stating the name of one of my authorities. It was Major Mair who told me that the Ngatiraukawa tribe, through whose country the said road passes, were anxious to have the road made. The Premier : The policy of the Government is to employ the Armed Constabulary in making these roads. I have myself had six men taken to work on the line of road between Ohiaemuri and Katikati, and there is a general disposition thus to employ them.

Mr. Morrin remarked that thirty miles out of the sixty miles of road lay through the land taken from the association a few years ago, so that it ran through what was absolutely Government property. Mr. Firth : There was.no difficulty whatever over a large part of the road. Last year, when the Government attempted the survey, there was no obstruction made to the road passing over my freehold land or over Mr. Ferguson's freehold land; it was only when it came to my leasehold land that they objected.

Mr. Whttaker : The road would be a much, better way of going to the Hot Lakes than by water. When the railway i« completed to Hamilton it will be. a very easy way by which to visit the Lakes. Mr. Firth : Yes ; and that wi". assist in making the railroad pay. In fact, it will complete the line of communication between Auckland and the rest of the Island. At present there is no such communication existing. There ia now no native difficulty. Europeans may visit the natives without danger, and, indeed, the natives are pleased to see them. The Premier : That is, indeed, a very gratifying change, and it has only occurred recently. Mr. Firth : I may say that the stoppage of last year was made by the Ngatihauas, but that that, and indeed all, difficulty to making the road is now removed. The Premier : If that is so, it will no doubt be the duty of Major Mair to report it to the Government, and your request will be kept in view. Mr. Whitaxer: Could you not instruct Major Mair to inquire and report to the Government ? The Premier : Yes. I will instruct him to inquire and report as to difficulties. Mr. Firth : I asked Major Mair to report the matter to the Hon. the Native Minister, and he promised to do so. The Premier : That is all right. He has not yet perhaps had time to do so. By the time I get to Wellington the Government will be in possession of the report. We tried very hard previously, and pushed the whole thing to the verge of a row, and then could not go on with it. As soon as ever we know that the native difficulty is removed on that land action will be taken. You remember I had contracts out for all that line, and we have been trying perseveringly to get. it through. Mr. Whitaker : It is said the natives are very anxious to be employed on this work. The Premier : We offered the Ngatihauas contracts at their own prices, and they would not take them. Mr. Wiiitaker : [t is said that their views are now altered. The Premier : We had actually tenders invited for the work, but the Ngatihauas were threatened by the King people, and money would not tempt them. That was three years ago. Mr. Whitaker : Well, it is a particularly favourable change that has corns over them, if it is true as is now stated, that they are not only anxious for the change but to be employed in effecting it. If that. is so, I suppose there-will be no difficulty ? The Premier : No difficulty whatever. I suppose there remains a little money somewhere, and if not we can' get some. Mr. Firth : There requires but very little to be .done. The Premier : We are very anzioup for the road, only we do not want to fight for it. . Mr.'Firth: Of course, we do not .desire to urge-the Government to anything, that would lead to native difficulties, or to the breaking up of the present peaceful relations betwaeathe European* and the Maori*.

The Premier. : As soon back to -Wellington, I will see what can be done •cbout it. The deputation then thanked the Premier and withdrew.