The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1912. ROADS.

Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 165, 22 November 1912, Page 2

The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1912. ROADS.

» THE matter of properly forming the roads under the jurisdiction of the Waipa County Council has been often discussed, but in most •

cases discussion has proved futile owing to lack of the necessary moneys. To overcome this obstacle those more directly interested have frequently advocated a borrowing policy, but public feeling for all too many years has been adverse to any such policy, with the natural result that our district roads have of necessity to remain in a most unsatisfactory condition, w'hich in turn has retarded the progress of the district, and caused settleis no end of worry and inconven" ience. Now that increased'settle ment is naturally causing increased traffic, the med of properly-formed roads is being more and more felt, and much sympathy is felt throughout the district with anv judicious borrowing policy which is commensurate with the requirements of the district. That such is a wise policy is beyond dispute. Public feeling, however, seems to have remained dormant too long, and now, any efforts to bring about a wise and much-needed roading policy are apt to meet with a very serious set-back, while the present shortage of money continues. Be that as it may, better roads are essential to the progress of both town and country, and no endeavour should be

spared to provide them. That it is advisable to borrow money for works of this nature cannot be gainsaid. Our present roads necessitate a very considerable outlay for maintenance even in their bad state, and it has been proved over and over again that the interest on loan moneys spent on proper road formation works is comparatively a no heavier drain upon the pockets of the ratepayer than is the ever-recur-ring cost of maintenance. If the convenience to settlers and the increase in land values which accompany good roads are considered, interest on loan moneys becomes by far the most profitable expenditure from-the ratepayers' standpoint. Numerous cases could be cited, and one right at our own door is worthy of mention —the Te AwamutuKihikihi Road. The expenditure of loan moneys on this road has provided a well-formed highway > reduced maintenance to a minimum, and saved settlers considerable time, worry, and expense. It is hoped that- public feeling will assert itself in this connection, so that this district will possess, at no very far distant date, what will prove to be its most valuable asset —good roads.