The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1913. THE OHURA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 22, 26 September 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1913. THE OHURA.

The con fereuce held at AAhangamo- ' nioini on Wednesday last was an important one to Stratford and to the whole of tho great area to tho eastward. Eor some time past the Stratford Chamber of Commerce lias been considering the question of communication with Ohura, fully recognising the desirability of a through mail service and regular through communication. That such a thoroughly representative gathering from all parts of the district should have unanimously carried such strong resolutions as they have done, urging the Government to 'establish a mail service and to give needed telephone facilities, is evidence of the necessity of these works, and we may hope that these very reasonaide requests will be acceded to by the Government without delay. It is now definitely decided that a coach service from AVhaugamomona to Ohura and on to the Main Trunk will be started at an early date, quite as an independent enterprise, and it was made clear that tho Ohura settlers earnestly desire the linking-np of their

present services with this end of the district. As the Mayor of Stratford said there is a distinct community of interests between the districts concerned. and with the railway through to Whangamomoua, Taranaki becomes naturally the host and most economical outlet for the trade of Ohura. To commercial men and visitors also a regular through service will he of rrreat value ami to the latter a coach

journey through wild and country for some sixty-seven miles would'prove a great attraction, and undoubtedly become a popular line of travel. The important point was stressed of the advantages to he derived by bringing goods in to Ohnra from Now Plymouth, instead of from Auckland. Ihe settlers certainly have many hardships to endure, but at anv rate no obstacle should he plated in the way of their using the host and cheapest route to a market. That there is at present no facility lor telephoning New Plymouth wliile they can

get into telephonic communication with Waikato towns certainly is a hard ship which might quite reasonably he remedied. The views generally expressed by the speakers at the conference were sound and logical, and ought to carry weight with the Government. The subsequent support accorded at the meeting of the Whangamomona County Council is gratifying evidence of the earnestness of the settlors to make themselves heard with regard to public services to which tliev are undoubtedly entitled.