POINTS OF VIEW

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4047, 13 May 1938, Page 5

POINTS OF VIEW

OUR READERS’ VIEWPOINT. TE MAWHAI ROADS. Sir, —The members of the Te Mawhai School Committee have no wish to enter into a press controversy, but they wish me to draw the attention of your readers to the mis-statement of lacts, as outlined by the chairman of the Waipa County Council, per medium of your columns of the 9th inst. .Mr Macky evidently did not read the letter of protest correctly, I wish to point out to him, that the resolution came from the householders of this district at the biennial meeting, and was carried unanimously, therefore, I fail to see why he should castigate this committee. Mr Macky states that to the best of his knowledge and belief, all requests to the council have been acceded to. We will agree up to a point, several letters of protest had to be sent to the council, before the corner just opposite the school received attention. Only half the work was done, the council promising .to finish it at a later date. This was three years ago. It still requires to be finished. Mr Macky, in his statement, admits that an engineering survey was made, “some two years ago,” to make this road safer, but that the dreaded pest of ragwort was more important than a dreadful fatality occurring on this road As to procedure Sir, the Te Mawhai School Committee will measure up to any other committee, but the procedure adopted by the chairman of the Waipa County Council in writing to your columns on the 9th May, in answer to the householders' letter of protest under date of 14th April, has taken some time to think out, and was certainly a procedure the Te Mawhai School Committee would not have adopted, especially on the eve of an election. —I am ,etb., H. OWENS, Hon. Sec., The Te Mawhai School Committee. Sir, —In fairness to Mr Clarke I refrained from replying to his letter of the 9th inst., in your issue of Wednesday as the poll would have been in progress. However, he hit the nail on the head when he used the heading “Deeds not Words.” Surely, he must realise that action is what we are advocating because it is badly needed. I did not insinuate that one side of the Riding was favoured at the expense of the other; but I do say quite definitely that the road in question is a disgrace to the county. Mr Clarke referred to “unthinking ratepayers.” There are no such persons using this road, as they have abundant food for thought. Regarding the Mountain Road, I do not wish to deprive Mr Clarke of any credit to which he is justly entitled, although I do not think that he was wholly responsible for getting it metalled. It may be of interest to settlers on this road to know that in May, 1936, Kakepuku Mountain Road was discussed at a meeting of the Te Awamutu branch of the New Zealand Labour Party. L moved at that meeting that representation be made to the Minister of Public Works pointing out the condition of the road and how some farmers had to sledge their cream over a mile to where the road was metalled. This motion was seconded by a farmer who lives nearby this road and it was adopted. In reply Mr Semple gave his assurance that something would be done. I am sure Mr Clarke will be fair and agree that a sympathetic government with their generous and liberal subsidy was partly responsible for pulling these previously unfortunate settlers out of the mud. Now Sir, I make two double trips daily along a portion of the Te Mawhai Road on a bicycle and children ride their machines to and from school. If Mr Macky had to do likewise for a few days I am sure he would be a little more tender (of heart) towards my criticism. However, the chairman of the council states that, “the Tokanui Road is used almost exclusively by traffic to and from Tokanui and Waikeria Institutions.” He must know that that, is 'incorrect. May I draw his atten tion to Mr Civil’s report on this question. The engineer stated that “there were fourteen heavy lorries making six double trips daily to and from Te Kawa quarry.” Surely this must be the major portion of the traffic the road is carrying; it is certainly the heaviest. As the Albion lorry at Tokanui Institution is fitted with a governor whereby it cannot exceed 25 m.p.h. the damage caused by this vehicle must be of little account by comparison. Let me recall to Mr Macky’s mind the time when a loan was needed for sealing the Great South Road. He stated to the effect that, “if the loan was authorised and the main road completed, the council would concentrate on the upkeep of the by - roads.” Accordingly the ratepayers expect better by - roads. It seems to be that residents of Te Mawhai have to suffer because a portion of the road leading to their district returns little or no rates atall. If the rates collected are not sufficient to give us reasonable access to and from our homes, could not representation be made to the Government per medium of the Minister of Public Works instead of, to the Minister in charge of Mental Hospitals under whose jurisdiction roading does not come. In conclusion Mr Editor, it is pleasing to hear rumours that something is going to be done to this road in the Spring. May good fortunes guide us through the coming winter. —I am, etc., F. PRICE, 11/5/38. Te Mawhai. P.S.—lf you will allow the space, I would like to congratulate Mr Clarke on being re-elected and sincerely hope that “Deeds” will be his watchword.