THE OHURA MAILS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144196, 12 September 1913, Page 2

THE OHURA MAILS.

A Tutu . cocrespovnkmt whose letter* . apooans in. another part of “this issue makes out a goad cause for a regular mail serraoo botwoon Taranaki and the Churn. hy way. of’tho Tangwtakau Gorge. At present a letter from, say, WJumgaraoroona to Tata, * distance of less than thirty miles, has to go hundreds of miles rmpid by ’ way of the Main Trunk Railway, thus causing much, delay. During the ensuing summer it is excreted that a regular coach service will ran thrmich tho TongaraVn. and tins will afford an opportunity for tho Postal Department to institute a mad service by that route, it may not bo pusaahter io run the coach during tho worst of the winter months, but own so there would bo no dif- ‘ ficnjty in* getting tho mails through. At any rate tho do-, pactiuont might giro the service a trial at no groat expense, especially ■considering that when the railway is- • opened through most of tho trade of the Ohura will bo dono with Taranaki. Another matter which is deserving, of tho department’s sympathetic consideration is the establishing of telephone communication along tho same route. At proscot messages between Ohnra and Now Plymouth, a distance of about fifty miles as the crow flies, eighty mites by the Okou Road, or about 105 miles by way of Stratford and the Tangarakau, have to go through To Kuiti and Ongarue. Tho settlers along tho Ohura Road have had very great hardships to contend against in tie matter of indifferent -moans of communication and transport,, and it is’ duo to them that tho Government should give them as favourable treatment as possible in these matters. It will bo a’long time before the railway is completed, or even tho road metalled right through, but it would be an earnest of tho’ Government’s sympathy and good intentions if mail and telephone ■ conveniences were afforded them.