VOICE OF, THE PEOPLE

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1935, Page 7

VOICE OF, THE PEOPLE

VIEWS ON CURRENT TOPICS

PROPOSED MARCO-URUTI ROAD.

OPINIONS OF CORRESPONDENTS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—With reference to the proposed Marco-Uruti Road, I think itonly right to inform my friend Lmk-it-Up that he is chasing the shadows as far as I am concerned; I did not say that I considered the proposed link between coast and railway premature. I did say that I thought it rather premature for the ' council to accept responsibility for the maintenance of this road, and to support the proposal, in view of other matters already being supported by the Council, and not yet finalised. , The position of the proposed link looks very desirable—on the map. Information received, since the last council meeting, from persons well acquainted with the proposed route, makes it appear less desirable. I am told the country is o£ the most difficult nature for road-making, which means heavy maintenance cost later. That the abandoned and improved country is likely to be occupied if the road is built also appears to 'be a probable illusion. Therefore I See no reason to alter my opinion that there are matters of greater urgency at present requiring the support of the council.— I am, etc., ‘ H. M. RIES, Pohokura, June 21., (To the Editor.) Sir,—With reference to the proposed road between Uruti and the main road - at Kohuratahi, via Rerekino, Mangawata and Marco roads, *1 happened to notice a letter signed “Ratepayer” dealing with the Whangamomona County Council’s discussion, but my observations will be on the condensed report. In. the first place ail .abbreviated report is often misleading; A council member, new to the council and, I think, comparatively so to the district, said that the petition re»> cently circulated . seemed premature. Well, it may be so. Perhaps after 20-to 3O .yeafs the settlers on the roads mentioned should hdve put in a joint application for an extension of life, to save rushing. They will, however, be charitable to the newcomer to the council. The council has made a find; It has \ discovered that one couniiillbr lives somewhere near a pig track which Is his access. I am glad to know 'that Cr. Neustroski is getting a free advertisement. I would like to perform the same office- for two settlers, ?who (among others) share the pig track , honours, with ■ him,\who are financial' ratepayers df the Whangamomona county whose properties are on its extreme l western boundary, and wh«T would have a double outlet if the road went through.. They are what the chairman described as our own peo- , pie whom we -first wish tb help. The t writer, just across the boundary of .that county, can, if desirous,- crow over these people. He has a rather badly kept; mud road, and manages sometimes to squeeze a-cart past; the slips to. within: sight of his dwelling, nearly a mile and a-fialf. But it is all not so bad, for it was predicted a 'few short years ago that the road would never go down there, the self same arguments being used that are now being used against a further extension. But further' on part of this impossible road has been graded, with metal creeping nearer. Reverting again to the connecting link, 1 find very hazy ideas exist of what is to be done to link up with the existing , access (such as it is) at both ends. A map with a scale shows the distance as under two miles. Let anyone interested trace out the route on a good map from New Plymouth, past Waitara and intermediate places to Kohuratahi. or further. It will stand inspection and comparison. It has backing already from men of business acumen, and the engineers, if .reticent, give l the impression of being favourable to the project. —I am, etc., .. . A. WILTON. Rerekino, June 17.