THE KAIPARA DISTRICT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19550, 1 February 1927, Page 14

THE KAIPARA DISTRICT.

NEEDS OF THE SETTLERS. BETTER TRANSPORT ROUTES. TOUR BY HON. K. S. WILLIAMS. [BST TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DATtGAVILLE. Monday. The Minister of Public Works, Hon. K. S- Williams, had a busy time in this portion of the Kaipara electorate during the week-end. On Friday morning he proceeded from Dargaville by car up the Kaihu Valley, via the Awakino Soldiers Settlement, Mamaranui, Kaihu and Whatoro, to Trounson Kauri Park, where an inspection of the forest was made under the guidance of Mr. McCullough, curator of the forest. The cars were joined on the Donnelly's crossing road and the party proceeded via Donnelly's Crossing and Oranoa to the Waipoua forest road where the Hobson County Council entertained the party to luncheon in the heart of the forest. On the return journey the Minister was taken through Aranga, Kaihu and the Kaihu Valley, returning to Dargaville at 6.30 p.m. While Mr. Williams was at .Waipoua forest a'number of'settlers from Waimamaku waited on him and asked that the road being put through the forest by relief work he carried on to completion as it was the only direct connecting link they had to Auckland via Dargaville and the West Coast. The Minister said as far as he knew the work would be completed but he asked that they should not be too insistent in their demand for metal as it was all a question of money. Outlet to Dargaville. In the evening a deputation from tho Hobson County Council Chamber of Commerce and Borough Council also urged that the road be completed and the Minister gave a sympathetic hearing. On the way to the forest a deputation from Awakino Valley Soldiers' Settlement asked the Minister to authorise some much needed work to give the settlers an outlet to Dargaville in winter. The Minister promised to have tho work put on the urgent list. '' Deputations were received in the evening in connection with the DargavilleKirikopuntii railway and the Kaihu Valley drainage improvements. Regarding tho railway, speakers emphasised the importance of the work and its value to the district. It was stated that the previous Minister had promised that the work be carried out. Mr. Williams said he was much impressed with the improvement made in North Auckland. He had not received the report of the survey of the Darga-ville-Kirikopuni railway connection yet, but when he did, he would place it before the Rajlwav Board, which had to consider if it would be a paying concern .and if there "would bo sufficient trade, to warrant the line. What lie had seen that day would carry considerable weight. He knew they must have cheap top-dressing and manures and . they must get produce away to markets as soon as possible, but he. had to consider the taxpayers as well. He would go into the question with the board and if money was available he would push on with the work. x Drainage Boaid's Request. The Kaihu Drainage Board asked for assistance in completing its scheme in which some thousands of pounds had already been spent. The Minister said he would do his best. . ' - ' On Saturday morning the Minister loft Dargaville for Ruawai, where ho inspected the wharf and /foreshore and several of the drainage board's operations and made a tour of tho lower portions of the flat. The party then proceeded via Arapohue and Windy Hill to Pukehuia. The officer in charge of the Pukehuia Public Works conducted tho Minister and party to Waiotira hy rail to enable the Minister to inspect the Waiotira-Pukehuia section, which is nearing completion. Mr. Williams inspected tho Railway River bridge in course of construction at Pukehuia and returned to* Dargaville via Paradise to Kirikopuni, Kirikopuni Valley, Pekapekarau,. Onetea and Tangawahine. The Minister spent Sunday with . Mr. F. J. Darsaville at the West Coast and left for whangarei to-day. He will proceed to the Bay of Islands electorate and return to Whangarei on February 11. He will leave for Auckland on February