ROADS IN THE BACK BLOCKS

New Zealand Mail, 22 January 1902, Page 23

ROADS IN THE BACK BLOCKS

The Chief Engineer, Department of Roads, has returned to Wellington after A'isiting districts in the neighbourhood of Carterton, Masterton, Eketaliuna, Pahiatua, Woodville, Palmerston North, Kimbolton, Feilding, Marton, Hunterville, Mangaweka, Taihape and RangiAvahia. Mr Hnrsthouse states that tlia roads in the back districts are in fairly good order, for the summer. The country everywhere is looking splendid. There is any amount of feed, and cattle are rolling fat. Questioned in regard to the recent reduction of hands by the Government, Mr Hnrsthouse says li>>, did not see a man looking for a “job.” Although the people kneAV he AA-as %dsiting the districts that have been named, in no single case did a discharged man approach him. The settlers haA'e taken a manly and reasonable vieAV of the recent unavoidable occurrences. At Taihapo the local authority has a good many men—probably about forty—employed in tho improvement of the streets of the toAvn. Whilst Mr Hursthouse AA’as at MangaAveka on Saturday a public meeting A\’as held, Avhicli, howeA’cr, ho did not attend. Mr F. Y. Lethbridge, M.H.R., avlio was present, described the meeting as having been orderly and enthusiastic. A deputation AA-as appointed to come to Wellington and urge upon the Government the carrying out of certain road works Avhicli are considered very important. After the meeting some of the settlers saw Mr Hnrsthouse, and made representations to him, in regard to Avhicli he Avill make recommendations to the Minister of Lands. Great progress has been made AA'ith the Makohine Viaduct since Mr Hursthouse was in that dis. trict eighteen months ago. It is expected that trains Avill be running to Mangaweka by the 31st March, or very soon afterwards. The result of the opening of that length of line Avill be to relieve the main road of a good deal of. traffic- Mr Hursthouse’s party (ravelled from Mangaweka to Taihape by buggy. There wtre four in the party, and their aggregate Aveight came to about fifty-six stone. Three horses took tho vehicle at a trot all the Avay. More convincing testimony as to the excellent state of the road could not avoll be given. Of course, some of tho branch roads, are not in such good order, and this is a draAvback to some of the settlors, and especially to some of those who have turned their attention to dairying. The attitude of the majority of the settlers in tho interior on the ' position of affairs is one of reasonableness, it being recognised by them that in noAvly-opened areas good roads cannot be had at once, and, above all, that they are settled in a portion of the colony which has a grand future before it-.