HARDSHIPS OF SETTLERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18889, 11 December 1924, Page 11

HARDSHIPS OF SETTLERS.

POOR LAND AND BAD ROADS.

"SPARROW TO THE ACRE."

The hardships of back-hlocks settlers were demonstrated in a discussion that took place this week at a meeting of tho Waitotara County Council, regarding a request for an improvement to the Taunoku Road, in the vicinity of the Wanganui River. The county chairman, Mr. W. Morrison, said that two years ago tho rood was handed over to the County Council. Not long afterwards serious damage was caused by floods, and the engineer's estimate to clear the county portion of the roa.' was £900. The total amount of rates collected was £34. One of the settlers affected had approached the speaker, who had suggested that the settler should communicate with tho Government. A sum of £6 or £7 out of the £34 went for the hospital levy, and after the cost of administration was added there was very little left.

Mr. Connor: Tho Government put settlers in there where it will not feed a sparrow to tho acre. The Chairman: We would be prepared to hand the settlers back their rates.

Mr. Ritchie: And let them please themselves how they spend them.' The Chairman:-It would not be fair to tho other settlers i.'i the riding to do more.

Mr. Connor: The Government should assist them.

It was decided to expend the rates received on tho road in question/