ARTERIAL ROADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15055, 26 July 1912, Page 4

ARTERIAL ROADS.

Sir,— few weeks ago you referred in a leading article about reading to tho importance of joining up the Auckland to Wellington main road by forming and completing that portion of the road between Te Kuiti and Poro-o-Tarao. The settlers on this portion have been agitating and petitioning the Publio Works Department during the past two years to have this work done. Before the Ward Government went out of office the Hon. R. Mackenzie promised to come and go over the route 'before giving his decision, but before ho did so the change of offices took place. There ■was _ then another petition sent to the new Minister, and before ho could go into the matter the Massey Government came in. But meantime a reply came from the Public Works Department, signed 'by the UnderSecretary, saying that this wits a road that could not bo undertaken by the Government, and giving among other reasons that the proposed road ran parallel with tho railway line. Such a reason surely.'is one of the most childish and short-sighted that could possibly bo put forward. How is the railway to be fed without roads, and what good does it do a settler to see tho train steaming past his place, and perhaps within 200 yds of his house, if the station is six miles away, and no road to it? The settlers in this district will be much disappointed with the new Government if its advent into power is not followed by a statesmanlike grasp of the reading needs of a district. A Settler (Within hail of tho railway, but without a road).