SHARP ROAD METAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22499, 17 August 1936, Page 10

SHARP ROAD METAL

CREAM SERVICE SUSPENDED SETTLERS' REQUEST FOR AID [from our own correspondent] WirANOATIEI, Saturday Tho Whangnrei County Council received a deputation of settlers served by the Takahiwai Road at its meeting yesterday when a request was made for assistance. j\lr. W. H. Chetham, on behalf of the settlers, said notice had been received from tho Whangarei Co-opera-tive Dairy Company, Limited, that after August 7 the cream collection truck would not operato on that road, as the sharp metal had caused considerable damage to the tyres of the truck. Mr. Chetham said approximately 20 suppliers were affected, and he had written Mr. J. G. Barclay, M.P. for Marsden, concerning the plight of the settlers. " We have done a lot of voluntary work on this road and the stopping of our cream collection has como as a bombshell," said Mr. Chetham.

Mr. F. Pirihi, representing the native suppliers, said the Maoris felt that they had not much voice in the matter as they wore not paying rates, but he anticipated in the near future that consolidation would enable them to contribute in this direction. The natives were quite prepared to subsidise any assistance toward top-dressing the road. Mr. A. J. McKay, the riding member, said he was quite satisfied that the Takahiwai road was in better condition now than it had ever been and lie could see no reason to prevent the dairy company from collecting the cream, especially now that the winter was nearly over. He moved that the council should approacli the Tokerau Native Land Board for assistance toward topdressing the road. Mr. J. A. S. Mackay, chairman, said it was rather disappointing that tho Whangarei Dairy Company should take a cream collection 'lorry off a metalled road. " Some of the metalled roads are not smooth, and [ feel that the company should havo a better reason for discontinuing tho service than that the road is a bit rough," said Mr. Mackay. The motion was carried unanimously.