"A RED-LETTER DAY.”

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 4538, 23 May 1913, Page 5

" A RED-LETTER DAY.”

HON. AV. FRASER AT PONGAROA, THE COASTS’S REQUIREMENTS. NUMEROUS DEPUTATIONS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Reporter). Pongaroa, Last Night. The Ministerial party arrived at Pongaroa shortly after 3 o’clock after a good trip. Mr R. B. Robertson, chairman of tire Akitio County Council, extended a hearty welcome to the Minister at the Council Chambers. He said it was the fourth time in his recollection, that a Alinister of the Crowui had visited the district. It was the first time, however, that a Alinister of the present Government had done so. He regretted that the Premier was unable to be present, awLrthat Mr Fraser’s short stay would' not permit him to inspect the public works in progress in the country. He thanked the Alinister for grant snd subsidies for bridges and metalling the roads, w hich works were now in progress. Air Robertson referred / to local Government Reform. He complained of the disabilities the country suffered under. It was heavily rated, paying general rates of tliree-pence on the unimpnuved value. It also had to pay contributions to outsido local bodies lor the upkeep of roads, including the Dannevirke, Weber, Paliiatua and Alasterton Counties. He panted out that though far removed from the railway the district was thickly settled with Crown tenants. He urged that a country situated like the Akitio should receive special consideration in the framing of the Local Government Bill. He also complained of tile rate of interest on the £28,000 loan raised in instalments having been increased subsequent to the raising of the loan. Consequently the rate oil the settlers had to he increased. He thought an injustice had been inflicted on the ratepayers in consequence. He contended that the general principle . was not an equitable one. The Minister explained that each instalment was tlie settlers’ loan. Mr Robertson said that though the settlers were grateful to the Government for grants they thought the Government should take over the main arterial roads. He did not think that the back-block counties had sufficient representation at the Counties’ Conference. The Hon. W Fraser returned tlianks for the welcome. He had. he said, come for the ox pres- purpose of ascertaining the settlers’ wants, and to get an idea of the configuration of the country and the nature of the requests. He invited anyone with a grievance to bring it forward. He enjoyed the trip because it was new country. He would give every consideration to their requests, but he could not make definite promises to everything. Last year the requests were for five times in excess of the amount available. Tile Local Government Bill was engaging the attention of the Cabinet. Personally, he was very much interested in the matter. He referred to his own long association with local bodies. There was new blood in the present Administration. He assured the settlers that he would do his vbry host to obtain an improvement in Local Goi veirnment. EAST COAST PORTS. A deputation, with Mr Robertson as chairman, asked that the Government should send engineers to report upon the unsuitabilities of either the Akitio or Aohanga rivers for shipping purposes. Mr P. A*. Smith said there was a large diversity of opinion on the matter. Tlie Council wanted to know which was the most practical and cheapest scheme. Afr .T. D. Tjouch. District Engineer, reported on these rivers throe years ago. Whatever river was considered best the money would be spent on that .solely. Roth rivers were about an equal distance from Porigaroa. j The Minister promised to make rc- | presentations to the Alarine Department. GRANTS APPLIED FOR. Mr Roberston applied for grants or subsidies for the following roads: Pongaroa to Alasterton, £1000; Makuri to Pongaroa, and Pongaroa to Akitio, £IOOO each; Pongaroa to AVaiotie. £6OO (£ for £); Glonora, £IOOO ( £ for £); Waikereni road. £9OO (£ for £>; Waiowaka, £1000; Wakxne to Weber, £500; Waihi rood. £500; Cross road and Cowie road, £SOO. Regarding the Herbert.ville—Dims nevirkc road. Waipatiki. Hill deviation. Mr Cross asked for £2BOO to deviate the ford. The hill mentioned was a very steep one, portion of the grade being one in six, and he asked if the Government would carry out the work? The Alinister said he would enquire into the position of tho matter. A request was also made for the extension of the North Main Road giving access to Block 1. Mount Cerl bents district. Five settlors also asked for a vote for the purpose, of felling hush at the same time, hut the settlers said they would fell the timber in front of their sections, the width to lie 66 feet, and asked if assistance could be given to form the road to the same width. Tlie Minister promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Minister of Lands, and said he would rc- , commend that something he done to ! assist the settlers. .SUPERVISION OF BRIDGES. Air Robertson also naked lor Departmental supervision of the bridges now being constructed in the county. The Minister said the Department contended that if it made a grant to local bodies the latter should bear the cost of supervision. In the course of discussion the Minister asked : Who is to pay?. A deputation infs suggested that the Department should pay half, arid the Council half. (Laughter). M r Fraser said the Department had many similar applications for supervision, but ho had always dorbnod them. *