ROADS IN KARANGAHAKE DISTRICT

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 126, 31 October 1885, Page 4

ROADS IN KA RANGAHAKE DISTRICT

• f * A meeting of the various miners situated, in the Karangahake District was held at noon on Ootober 23rd in the Auckland Chamber o! Commerce for the purpbse of considering the question of the construction of roads for the conveyance of quartz from the mines to the batteries. Mr Adam Porter occupied the chair. The following gentlemen were in attendance :— Messrs R. Spratt, J. Jackson, J. B. Morpeth, R. K. Davis, H. T. Gorrie, D. G. MaoDonnell, W. S. Wilson, A. Kidd, G. Aickin P. Comis* key, J. Shepherd, A. Saunders, and R Walker. In opening, Mr Porter said it was no use wasting time by a long speech. Most ot them were aware that there was a large sum on the Estimates for road construction on goldfields. They also knew that the usual style with these grants was "first come first served." Unless they could get up an application for a portion of this vote for Karangahake, they would be stuck. At present there was really no local body in Ohinemuri. It would therefore be necessary that an application should b© made by the directors of the various companies to the Government for £4,000. The Government were prepared to grant £2 for £1, but when the young County Council came into existence in about a month's time they would not have the money to offer as a guarantee to the Government. It would be for the several companies' interest to as sist the young Council in providing this road, and perhaps it would bo better to appoint a committee. The proposed road would be about 1£ miles, and cost nearly £5,000. He would propose the continuation of the present road by the Woodstock as low as possible, in order to benefit all the claims. The idea was to cut it np the gorge, the cheapest and best route. It would be necessary for each of the companies to assist in the expense by a voluntary assessment. Mr Shepherd said that the matter had already been laid before the Minister of M ines when he visited tbe Karangahake district. They had asked for £5,000, but Mr Larnach said that it was outside of his power. Be, however, promised to do something for them through the County Council. The Government had money in hand for this purpose, and unless the road was made, it would be impossible to get their ore down. There was about £800 available from the old Council which they might get to assist them in the work. Ho would like to see an amalgamation of all the companies to at tend to all these matters. There were other things that needed looking after. Their holding tenures were in a precarious position. He would move that this meeting form an association to look after these things. Mr Aickin seconded the motion, merely suggesting that the movement would commence in the Karangahake district first. They could then take united action. The Chairman said that he only called the meeting to get the road, and did not wieh to go outeide of that question. Mr Shepherd said that the first object must undoubtedly be making roads in Karangahake. Mr MacDonnell said that as the Ohinemuri district had been recently formed, he thought that it should be asked to make the roads, as it would have revenue from the licensed holdings. The County would be enabled to get money from the Government, and it was their duty to make the roads, and not the shareholders at their private expense. The Chairman pointed out that the whole of the license fees would not be sufficient to form the road. Let the companies start the work by subscribing £50. He would offer £20 from one Company and start a Purvey, which would give them something to lay before the Council at its first meeting. Mr Davis suggested that a committee be appointed to send a requisition to the Government asking them to assist them in the formation of the roads. Everything depended upon the success of La Monte's new process. He thought they were wasting time and money by asking money until they saw how it turned out. The Chairman said that, even supposing the La Monte process was a complete failure, any of these mines would pay undei the old process, and if they waited till the money was expended it; would be wasting time The money was on the Estimates providing that one-third was raised, and if they did not apply for the money it would lapse, as the Government were not in the habit of running after people with money. The plans must be in existence before the County Council could apply for the money. They could have their application ready for the first meeting of the Council, and thus save about four months. The former motion lapsed, and Mr Scott proposed, "That Messrs Porter. Shepherd, Kidd, and Comiekey be a committee to attend to the business. ' This was carried unanimously.