WHAKARAU-WAIKOHU ROAD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13373, 6 May 1914, Page 3

WHAKARAU-WAIKOHU ROAD.

A meeting of Whakarau settlers was held at Mr G. A. Smith's homestead, Whakarau, on Friday afternoon last, All 1 S. Smith being m the chair. Ten settlers were present, and it was decid- ! Ed to form at Whakarau Settlers'* "Association. The primary object of the meeting was to discuss matters m connection with, the main road to Wiaikohu. Ever since the flood during the last week m March, the road has been blocked with slips, and the seven river crossings between Poututu station arid Waikohu were silted • lip for a considerable time, and on "account of heavy rain last Tuesday, are again m the samo state., The crossings over two other big creeks on the road are partially washed away, and are dangerous for heavy wheeled traffic. Prom Poututu to Waikohu there is a stock track round the liver, hut this is m places almost washed away, and for practically its whole distance is m an impa-ssable and dangerous condition., Owing to the flooded state of the river, and the silting up of the crossings, the mailman has been compelled to pack the mails round this stock track, or, at least, attempt it, for on several occasions lately he has ! had to go across coiintry, the track being m such a dangerous state. Between Mr John Thompson's property and Waikohu railway station, a distance of nearly 20 miles, the road is m a very bad state. In several places it is almost impossible for a trap to get past, no wajrgon. having been able to get -up for six weeks. . At least four settlers have been waiting all that time to get their winter stores m, and two of them have had to pack stores from Rakauroa, a distance of nine miles by a bridle track. Only two men are permanently employed on these 20 miles, and they could not possibly cope with all the work. Owing to continuous rain, fresh slips are , coming down all ( the time. The water- tables are blocked on almost the whole length of the road, and, as a consequence, m many places the water has completely scoiired out the road. The settlers rightly feel that the Waikohu County Council ought to have the road attended to before the winter has properly set m. as otherwise it will bo impossible to get a wageron up. Very little "has been done to the road during the last year. /Several portions badly need metalling, but the settlers would b© content if the Council would immediately put extra m«<n on to clear away the slips and open Vp the water-tables. They want to see a- portion, of the rates spent ,on the Upkeep of their road. _ As a result of the meeting, it was decided to ■.■write to the Gbuny Council and the district's representative on the Council, asking that .immediate steps be taken to have the road put m fair order.