TO ADVANCE BAY OF PLENTY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16186, 24 July 1923, Page 9

TO ADVANCE BAY OF PLENTY.

ROADS AND RAILWAYS. RANGITAIKI DRAINAGE LONG AND COSTLY WORK. lioy of Plenty's needs were discussed by the Ray of Plenty Development Longue, which met at Rotorua, Discussing the work of the League, Mr. P. Keegan, of Whukatane, told a Star reporter that one of the remits considered had reference to the metalling of the rood between Whakat.ane and Rotorua. There is a IoL <>i traflie on this road, and at present timber is being carted along it from a mill at Rotoiti, -with the result that the stretch between that spot and Rotorua is in such a state that travellers prefer to take launch across Rotorua, through tins Ohau Channel, across Rotoiti, and then connect with the motor car service. A strong attempt is to he made to have this important highway metalled. Another important matter was that of the proposed railway connection Iretween Rotorua and tlioi least Coast line at Pongakawa, which is between Te Puke and Matata. Half way in (ho bush there is a sawmill at work and a private tramline is being made between this mill and pongakawa. If continued through to Rotorua this line would give; an excellent communication between the two points. It is all easy country, no tunnels, no culverts, nearly all level, and the only bridge required would be one over the Ohau Channel. This railway would be of great importance to the whole of the Ray. There is a large quantity of timber that it would tap, and Mr. Keegan points out that the country round Rotorua is capable of fattening thousands of sheep. No light country that he knows of grows more summer fattening, and if the suggested railway were put through it would give an outlet for getting the stock away.

A branch line' to Whakatane is also being advocated by the League. The main East Coast line now runs within four miles of Whakatane, where there are freezing works, and the League urges that this connection should be made. Now that, the JJrewera lands have been purchased by the Government, the Leaguel in urging that, they bo put on tho market for selection. The road has gone in 14 miles from tho edge of the bush at Waimana. The Urewera is essentially sheep country, and in view of tho good money to be made out of wool and mutton, it is urged that the land w-ould be readily taken up if thrown on the market. , Eleveni years ago there was a drainage board that looked after the matter of the draina.go of the Rangitaiki. The Government then passed an Act dissolving the board and took over Ihn drainage of the whole area concerned — about ICO.COO acres. At that time the Government said it would finish the drainage in; five years, and that the cost wo\ild not be more than £IOO.OOO. After working for eleven years the Government has not by any means finished the job, and already the cost has run into £400.000. Bates are being increased "so much that the settler is finding thei burden too much, considering that fully half of tho land is not yet sufficiently drained to produce anytbjnrr. That ifl why the settlers are now petitioning the Government to set up a Commission to f T> into tViei whrvip, question.