NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXVI, Issue 3366, 12 March 1915, Page 3

NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT.

BRIDGE AT TIROHIA

STREETS IN PAEROA

On Wednesday morning the Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, was waited upon by some deputations at the County Chambers at Paeroa, the v deputations being introduced by Mr H. Poland, M.P. Mr F. M. Strange spoke of the necessity for a bridge over the Waihou River at Tirohia, mentioning the large amount of land, that such a bridge would serve. At. the present time, he said, -there was a Government grant of ,£so° ior a bridge there, but the estimated cost was and the Council therefore asked that Government give more assistance towards the cost. He also spoke of the bridge across the Waitoa Stream on the Paeroa-Tahuna Road, saying that the original line of the road was, as first laid out, in a fairly straight hne. -Since then.the site for the bridge over the river had been moved two or three miles further up the river, which would make the bridge unnecessarily close to another bridge over the river, and would leave a large portion of the district unprovided with a crossing. There was a grant for the road which, was to be spent on the supposition that the bridge would be on the original site, and the Council was anxious to spend this money. Nearly all the settlers de-r sued that the bridge be erected on -the site first decided upon..

The Minister in reply said that so far as he could -gauge the proper line for itne road to Tahuna was by the original route, but he would have a report on ■ the matter obtained. He thoroughly recognised that the bridge at Tirohia should be gone on. with. Mr Strange sa;d that when the bridge was erected it would serve lor a lot of stock that, went to the Waihou sale, while some very fine, land would also be opened up. The Minister agreed that something should be done for a bridge at Tirohia, and although everything could not be done at once, he would see that a sufficient grant was made so that it would not cost the County anything. Regarding the bridge over the Waitoa Stream, he would see Mr .Holmes, the engineer-inchief, and if his view confirmed that ot the speaker the bridge would be erected on the original site. Mr A. C. Hubbard spoke of the necessity of a grant being given towards the cost of forming roads in the Government portion of the Paeroa towship. He said "that the present position inflicted great hardship on the County Council and on those who had purchased sections. These were mostly in hilly country where it was an expensive matter to form roads. "If private individuals cut up laud for sale the roads had to be metalled, and the Government •had followed out that rule on theHauraki Plains.

The Minister said that the Lands " Department was finding the money tor roadingonthe Hauraki Plains out of the"proceeds of the-sale of'the land. Mr Hubbard said that the Paeroa town sections were sold well, and as Government had taken the money it was only fair that it should give a grant ior making the roads and footpaths as it was impossible for the County Council to do the work.

The. Hon. Fraser said he would look into the, matter again carefully, but they could not expect the department to make roads and footpaths to suit each individual. Roads were made to benefit the largest number, and they could not make a path for every man who built < a bouse upon a hill. The 'p«"°Per thing to do was to iorm a municipality, and raise the money for the roads and paths. Mr Poland pointed out that the -Government was taking all the money, but the Lands Department was not spending one shilling on the roads and paths. ; Immediately the sections were sold the' people applied to the County Council for roads and paths, and that was not fair. The Ministes said that to expect the Government to make loads arid paths to every section was not right. -' Messrs Poland and Hubbard : We are not asking for that. , The Minister said the general rule was to torrn a municipality and raise the money for the roads. He would bring the matter under the notice oJ the Prime Minister as the Public Works Depart-^ mant as a rule did not spend mone\ in' towns at aIL This may be a case in which help should be given, but he could not lay down the principle that Government should make roads and paths in townships. Mr Hubbard : We are not asking for that to be made the general rule, but there are- exceptional circumstances here. The Minister promised that he would go carefully into the matter and bring it before Cabinet for consideration. . Mr H. J. Field spoke regarding the necessity for. a better crossing to the railway station at Owharoa. He said that, there were a number ot suppliers to the, butter factory,, and when they brought their butter and cream to the Owharoa station they had to carry it a distance of 40 or 50 yards to the platform. He considered that if the Railway Department would make a road for this distance it would save the settlers a lot of trouble. The Minister said he would make inquiries as to who owned the land where the road'would have to be made. It it was Crown land he could have the road made, but if it belonged to the Railway Department he would have to get the consent of that department. He asked Mr H. R. Young (engineer in charge of the river improvement works) to report on what would be the cost of the woik.