OPENING UP FEE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15823, 21 January 1915, Page 6

OPENING UP FEE NORTH.

MANGAKAHifi LANDS. BETTER ROADS NEEDED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANU/aEi, Wednesday. A Torn of inspection of the Mangakahia district was made yesterday by a party which included members of the Whangarei County Council, Ihi BorSugh Council, and tho Chamber of Commerce. The Mangakahia Valley is ono of the richest portions of the land in the North, but unfortunately the roading facilities to Whangarei arc not of tho best. The Karaka Block, in the Mangakahia, is cut off except for a bridle ln?"i from the Mangakahia main road. This track does not permit of vehicular truffle. The settlers are anxious to send their produce through Whangarei, and at tjm last meeting of the Whangarei County Council in Decemboir they forwarded a petition to have the track made sufficiently wide to permit vehicular traffic and incidentally to connect tho Mangakahic-Whangarei main road with the Went, Coast road. So anxious were they Unit they forwarded the sum of £60 tow.inls the cost of tho work. A thorough inspection was made yesterday of the track and the respective main roads, and it was decided that a conferonco be held bet'nsen tho Whangarei County Council, Borough Council, Chamber of Commerce, and Harbour Board on Friday night to disci™ the question of urging the Govenimei t to provide an immediate gitnt. The party also had its attention drawn by the county engineer to 700 acres of rich river flat, beariii|i; kakikatea timber to tho extent of 8,000,000 ft. This is situated on the Mangakahia main road, at Maungatahia. In !r>.'ply to an inquiry by the County Council, the Lands Department stated that it iitended to reserve the timber for butter-box purposes. If that land were thro m open the County Council would receive £4000 in revenue from tho timber sales, in addition to the rates which were paid by the settlers. It was suggested that the Chamber of Commerce should bring the question of opening up the land fiefore the Minister of Lands.