ROTORUA AFFAIRS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22579, 18 November 1936, Page 16

ROTORUA AFFAIRS

DEPUTATIONS TO MINISTER MORE LAND FOR SETTLEMENT [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] HOTORUA, Tuesday Representations for the opening for selection of a further area of land oil the Ngakuru blocks is to bo the subject of a deputation from tho Rotorua County Council which will wait upon the Minister of Lands, tho Hon. l'\ Langstone, during his visit to Kotorua to-morrow evening. Much of this area, which was developed by the previous Government, has already been allotted to settleis, who have had encouraging results, and as a result it is understood that thero has of late been a fairly strong inquiry from prospective settlers lor farms at the settlement, it is also understood that there is an area ol about 1600 acres either wholly or partly developed which could bo cut up into about seven farms, and it is respecting this area that representations are to lie made to tho Minister Another subject which will bo raised is that concerning the responsibility ioi the maintenance of tourist roads in the district. Recently a grant of £SOO to assist in improving these roads in time for the Christmas holiday traffic was made by the Government, but as yet the County Council has not received any further information and the question whether the work is to be undertaken by the council or the Public Works Department has not been clarified. Tho main object of the council's representations is to endeavour induce the Minister to declare the Government's policy regarding the future control and maintenance of the roads, which the council claims should not be made a burden on the county revenue. As in most cases the roads traverse isolated districts which do not provide the council with any revenue in the form of rates. The Rotorua Borough Council is to approach the Minister in connection with the taking over bv the borough of the Tourist Department's water and drainage services. Negotiations in this matter have already reached the stage where the department lias stated its terms, but. as theso are not altogether acceptable to the council the opportunity of the Minister's visit is being taken for a round-table discussion. It is understood that at the present stage the discussions will be held in committee.