ROADLESS KAWHIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13702, 19 March 1908, Page 5

ROADLESS KAWHIA.

HARDSHIPS OF SETTLEMENT.

TAXED FOR INVISIBLE ROADS

Jkcludki* in the itinerary of the Prime Minister's visit to certain oilier districts in the Auckland province next month is that great belt of country lying at the back of Kawhia Harbour, which has been poetically described as the " Sunset Doorway of Auckland." 1* l '"' Frime Minister is to obtain anything like a comprehensive acquaintance with the large area of land hidden away over there, it is unlikely that he will be able to proceed very far in a motor ear. \ bullock sledge, would be a more Hkely conveyance. For a long time the settlers hive been vainly striving to obtain decent tracks, or roads that would at least be something like roads, bid their voices have scarce been heard. Yet many and many a arm out west. is loaded with so much per acre, for loading. " Loading" of land is a term which simply expresses the fact that, in addition to the ordinary rent, the settler pays so much towards roads, and at Kawhia he ; s paving for roads he doesn't getHow I lie settlers feel about it is expressed in 'i letter to Mr. G. J. Garland, secretary to the. Auckland Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union, from the secretary- to the Awaroa branch, Kawhia. In the. course of his letter, he says:—"l should be glad to hear if the Provincial Executive has done anything towards getting us roads. We want something more than the pissing of resolutions, and wa hope the executive will bring V.eight to Bear to secure for us the carrying out of the Government's side of the bargain with us en our leases. The settlers on the AwaroaMahoe Road are loaded with os per acre for roads, on which we have to pay interest every year, and yet we have only got part of a 6ft track. We feel this very much this year, as, on account of the heavy bush fires which passed over our farms, most of us have to reduce our flocks, and when we are ready to restock we will not be able to get sheep in on account of not having a road. The expense of regressing is heavy enough, without, any other drawbacks.''

It is probable that a deputation from the Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union will wait on the Prime Minister upon his return to Auckland, in connection with this matter.