OUTBACK TELEPHONES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14825, 31 October 1911, Page 5

OUTBACK TELEPHONES.

A KING COUNTRY COMPLAINT. Ocr Aria correspondent writes: —Outback telephones continue to be a considerable source of agitation. In the Koutehere district, despite the fact that settlers have given their bond- of guarantee nearly two years ago nothing has '. ':en done definitely as regards their line. A similar experience is '• , ha-, in -Jso Waitew!iera di ;,! . Afcoafc 1? months ago the neoesss.iy tiocaments guaranteeing tlie interest- 011 the line were mad>; out, ; with the promise that the work would be fulfilled immediately negotiations were complete. Although every precaution was taken by the settlers to see that everything was in order nothing has been done. The line to my mind is one that should not require a guarantee, but should be a national work, inasmuch as it would be the most direct route fo; Auckland and other wayside stations to connect with the Ohura. The line at present is erected as j f-vr as Kaeaea, a distance of about 28 miles from Te Kuiti, and if the settlers' guarantee at the Waitewhera end was carried into effect there would only be seven or eight miles, which if the Government were unable to carry out the settlers would guarantee themselves. The matter as far as Government assistance in regard to telephonic communication for back block settlers in the King Country is concerned is absolutely disgraceful. The position seems to be that unless they put their hands in their pockets and do the work themselves they have no hope of gaming any decent communication with the outside world. Dealing with the matter of guaranteed telephones, a rather extraordinary position was brought before my notice a few days ago. Shortly, the position is this : The settlers in the Tangitu improved farm settlement made application for a telephone service, to which they received the usual renl- that if the necessary interest j was guaranteed the work would be carried out. After a little further communication the Department notified hitlers that, if the first vear's interest was paid in .;-lvance the "matter would be go:,e on with In April last the matter was dealt with', and a cheque duly forwarded to the Department, but up to the present settlers have had nothing to go on J lie extraordinary part of the proceedings was that i„ this'instance settlers were asked to pay in advance, and improver farm settlers at hit.! The area of the laiuntu is about 16,000 acres, with a total of 500 souls. Itis onlv two years ago since that block was opened up, and according to the terms for the chosen selectors they had to be on their farms almost immediately. Several rises of accident and sickness have takendace during this short time of settlement, i.,d considerable expense has been incurred in the endeavour to procure medical assistance