COUNTRY REQUIREMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5310, 23 June 1904, Page 3

COUNTRY REQUIREMENTS.

DAMAGE BY FLOODS. The Acting-Minister of Public Works, Hon J. McGowan, yesterday received a deputation, introduced by Mr A. E. Remington, M.H.R. for R-angitikoi, who brought before tho Minister tho necessity of Government assistance being granted in tho reconstruction of bridges and repairs to roads in the Rangitikoi district, through the effects of the lato heavy floods. Tlio deputation consisted of Messrs A. Robertson (chairman of tho Wangaehu Road Board), A. C. Mannington, K. H. Whiteman and Wilson.

It was pointed out that the Wangaehu district had in the past received very little consideration from the Government. The Road Board had already taxed itself to tho full limit in order to meet tho requirements, and was now paying interest upon £22,000 a year, loans raised for giving settlers communication with the outer world. The large bridge on the Wangaehu River road had been washed away entirely, and tho roads were in an impassable condition. . Tho sum of about £3OOO was needed to repair the damage by the flood, tq enable next season’s products (mostly wool) to be brought to market. It was urged on the Minister that no district in New Zealand had been so self-reliant, some parts of Wangaehu being rated for special rates up to nineponco in the pound, and only £730 had ever been received as grants in aid. All the land in the upper Wangaehu belonged to the Crown, ’being mostly leaseholds, but the settlers were at the present time blocked in by the numerous slips.

The Minister reminded the deputation that in addition to the £730 grants-in-aid, thirds to the amount of £4OOO had been spent in tho district. A groat many settlors had got the idea that tho thirds were theirs, forgetful of tho fact that it was portion of the rent they were getting back. Ho had at tho present time no money available for this work, but ha would lay tho matter before Cabinet, Wore tho settlers on their part prepared to do anything to meet the Government? The deputation assured the Minister that the settlors were prepared to rate themselves for tho present work, in addition to the already heavy rates paid by them, to the full extent of tho damage caused, hut they considered that in an extraordinary case like this it' was the moral duty of the Government to come to tho assistance of the settlers, in granting a pound for pound subsidy on any local contributions. Tho Minister said he would communicate Cabinet’s decision to Air Remington as soon as possible. Tho deputation brought a second matter before Air McGowan. Two years ago the sura of £SOO was passed for Adamson’s Ruanni road. The work for which tho money was granted had !bcen completed long ago, but the men. who did tho work had not yet been paid, as tho money had not been received from tbo Government, although authorised. Nor had the Rond Board the funds with which to meet the liability incurred. If the men pressed their claim the Road Board would have to appoint a receiver, which, the deputation thought, would be a gross scandal. It" was explained that the fault lay with tho Survey Department in not having submitted the neoassary plans legalising the road. The Alinister to communicate with the Survej\ Department on tho subject. \ Two other deputations were introduced by Air Remington—Messrs Stookwell and Lyon (TJtiku), AlcCracken and Wilkie (Torere), and Woolston and AlcCartin (Ohutu). The Dtiku representatives made a protest against any removal of the railway station from that township. The Torere people disclaimed any desire to recommend that course, but asked for a siding (a mile and a half distant). A new road and bridge were also needed in tho vicinity, to give the settlers facility to bring their produce to market, and such road would serve the 60,000 acres of the new blomwhich Government is now opening there and which would tap the Dtiku township. Consideration of tho matter was promised by the Alinister.