ROAD TO ARAPUNI

Waipa Post, Volume 31, Issue 1766, 5 June 1926, Page 4

ROAD TO ARAPUNI

IN A BAD STATE.

SETTLERS’ DEPUTATION TO PRIME

MINISTER,

•Following on the recent meeting at Pukeatua, to discuss the matter of securing improvement to the Pukea-tua-Arapuni Road, or ( at least that portion of the highway that is at present unmetalled —a distance of about 44 miles —a deputation consisting of Messrs C. Crook, Tindall and Ferguson, proceeded to Hamilton on Tuesday 1 ajfc.rt. .and there waited on the Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) with a view to obtaining Government assistance. The deputation was introduced by Mr Stewart Reid, MJP,, who supported rile representations, stating that while he was County chairman he had placed the whole position before the Prime Minister and as a result Mr Coates bad, as Minister for Public Works, provided a grant that had assisted materially to improve a section of the road. The road was a highway between the Te Awamutu and, Putaruru districts, but unfortunately though there was a good deal of through traffic, including, a twice daily service car, there were less than a score of settlers on land alongside the unmetalled portion of •tne road.

iMr Crook went into further detail, ana urged die claims of the settlers, nineteen in all, and their families, who had Pukeatua as their centre for foodstuffs, etc., and either Putaruru or Te Awamutu as their marketing centre. What was really wanted, was a grant from the Government to permit of metalling the portion from the Waimanu road junction to the junction of the new Arapuni road with what is known as Sharp’s road. If the Minister had any doubts as to the present bad condition of the road, no doubt Mr Tindall would be willing to quote the number of cars he bad assisted to pull out of bog-holes in the last two months. The Prime Minister: Oh, no; I quite realise the trouble. It is the same old road that Mr Reid, has told me about previously. I am really sorry it has been impossible to do more than we have done. But I don’t want you to go back home and tell your fellow settlers that now you have seen me the work .is as good as done; because that is not so. I will have the position looked into carefully when I get back to Wellington, and if I can arrange it there will be something on the Estimates to assist. Mind, I am not for a moment considering the motor traffic, or any other form of through traffic. The ones I want to help are the nineteen settlers whose children have to tramp or ride over the muddy road, to school and to the store; and whose womenfolk are shut away from social intercourse.

iMr Coates was sincerely thanked for his consideration, and the hope was expressed that before next winter the roadway would he metalled for its whole length.