THE HAMILTON-WHATAWHATA ROAD.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1801, 22 January 1884, Page 2

THE HAMILTON-WHATA-WHATA ROAD.

The proposal of the Waipa County Council to abandon the new road between Hamilton and W na t awna k a * u f av °u r of the old, which is to be made the county road, has been received by those interested in the matter with sentiments of stiongdisapprobatbn. The settleivs of Whatawhata, in particular, are loud in their denunciation of of the action of the council, who have come to a resolution on the question, without having given it the consideration which it merits It will be in the recollection of our readers that about four years ago the (iovernment granted £1200 for the construction of the swamp road, on the ground that it formed part of the main highway connecting the Eait and West Coasts. This sum was expended— whether judiciously or not was, and is a matter of opinion — the voad was made, and, all things considered, it has served its purpose well. It is true that in the winter the thoroughfare is not all that could be desiied ; in one or two places it is at that season of the year not quite safe for heavy traffic. But what has more particularly directed attention to this road has been its wretched condition during the last few months. It is not taken into account that the present summer is altogether an exceptional one ; that with scarcely an exception the whole of the roads in the outlying portions of the district have been as bad as they can well be ; that the swamps are usually dry at this time. The council seems to have taken action upon a representation that the road is bad, and has incontinently decided to leave it to its fate. But the councillors should take care that in throwing away the substance they are not grasping at a shadow. The old road, which it is now proposed to take over, is 1 notoriously bad, just as bad as the new one in winter timo, and ten limes worse w summer ; it is,in short,nothing but a winding track over hills and through gullies. Furthermore, it is three miles longer than the swamp road. The council purposes spending £500 upon the old track, but this sum wfll only be sufficient to put the bridges in good order, and remove some of the more pvominent obstructions to traffic ; it will take a great deal more than this to convert it into a substantial road. Now we venture to say that half the sum mentioned — £250— wouid be sufficient to put the new road in order to last for some time to come. The really bad portions in the aggregate only measure some 25 or 30 chains, and if these were fascined and clayed very little more would be wanted. The Whatawhata settlers held an informal meeting on Saturday last, and agreed to petition the chairman of the Newcastle Road Board to call a public meeting, to allow them an opportunity of protesting against the course about to be pursued by tne County Council. In connection with this matter it may also be mentioned that Mr C. R. Johnson, c«ach proprietor, Hamilton, and contractor for the Raglan mail service, is strongly opposed to tne change, Mr Johnson uses the road constantly, and his opinion is entitled to some respect.

Tenders are invited by Messrs Sandes and Napper far earthworks on the Rotorangi Swamp Road. Messrs Sandes and Nappcr invite tenders for grarelling and clearing for the Cambridge Road Board. NbwYoek has 244 miles of street paved with granite blocks. Two hundred and fourteen more magistrates have been " relieved " of their fupotiopi ia France, ;