TE AWAMUTU-KIHIKIHI ROAD.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6928, 30 January 1906, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU-KIHIKIHI ROAD.

PUBLIC MEETING AT KIHIKIHI

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY DESIRED

A public meeting, convened by the Kihikihi Town Board, was held in the Public Hall at Kihikihi, on Saturday evening, Mr J. G. Elmsly presiding. Mr H. J. Greenslade, M.H.R., and Mr J. B. Teasdale, Chairman of the Te Awamutu town Board, we r e present by invitation. The Chairman referred to the fact that the ratepayers had recently sanctioned the raising of a loan of .£IOOO for the metalling of a portion of the main roid between Kihikihi and Te Awamutu, the importance of which must be apparent to anyone who had travelled over it during the winter months. The Waipa County Council had recently commenced the work of improving the formation and the grading, but unless the portion near Mr Fisher's was fasoined, therecauld be no doubt that the metal would disappear almist as soon as put upon it, and the loan money wouid therefore not be expended to the best advantage. Mr Elmsly then proceeded to give details as to portions of the road where improvements and alterations shoult be made bofore the metalling whs commenced, and next referred to the fact that as tho m lin read was very largely used by non-rate-payers it was considered only reasonable that tho Government should assist by way of £ for £ subsidy. He expressed gr at pleasure that Mr Greenslade, the newly, elected member for Waikato, had so cheerfully acceded to the desire of the Town Bjird that he shoul 1 attend tbe meeting, because it was recognised that with his characteristic /.oil and interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, he would doubtless succeed in obtaining for tbe work a subsidy of, eay, XIOJO. No vote had ever been obtained from the Government for this road, but the people of Kihikihi had sufficient faith in Mr Greenslade's persistence to believe that if he would only take the matter in hand, his efforts would be crowned wth success. (Applause). Mr J. B. Teasdale said that as chairman of the Te Awamutu Town Board ho would be only too pleased to give all possible assistance towards securing a subsidy from the Government for the metalling of the road. He referred to the fact that he had connected with local bodies in the Waikato for over 25 years, and had some time ago driven the Hon. Hall-Jones, Minister of Public Work*, over this road during the winter months, when it was almost impassable. The Minister then admitted that it w. s a road for which Government aid could reasonably.be asked, but for some reason or other no money had ever been obtained. He concurred with Mr Elmsly that Mr Greenslade was " live," energetic and persistent, and felt sure that if he would represent the position to the Government he would succeed in obtaining a much-neeled subsidy, (Applause). Mr Teasdale also detailed several places on the road which needed alteration before the metalling contract, which had beealet, was commenced.

Mr I'. H. Chapman also briefly referred to the great imp >rtance of the matter to Kihikihiand the whole of the surrounding districts At present the position was intolerable, the roid limply being a sea of mud during the winter months. Mr H. J. who was received with applause, said he was only too pleased to be present, as he recognised that wherever there were improveunnts nee'ied —wherever settlement was being retarded because of the deplorable state of the mads—or wherever matters concerning the welfare of the public and the progress and prospeiity of the electorate were uuder consideration, it was his duty todo all he possibly could to assist. Nothing was more inimical to the progress of a district than bad roads, aud he was really surprised that though Kihikihi and Te Awamutu w?re amongst the oldest centres in Waika'o, yet they were practe illy " back-block "districts as regards the uiaiu road during the winter months. (Applause.) So far as he was concetned, he desired it to be clearly understood thht he did not profess to be an engineer, nor had he any iutention of entering into the questions raised by the previous speakers as to the necessity for certain alterations in the formation and grading work recently cai ried out by the Waipa County Council, bui he certainly thought the loan money and any Government subsidy thit he might succeed in obtaining next session, should be expended to the best possible advantage, and in such a way as to place the road in a permanent st .te of repair. There could be no doubt tint the people of Kihikihi had just cau=e for complaint, and that the Government should assist in the work of metalling by way of giving a substantial subsidy. Personally, he was sufficiently optimistic to believe that a subsidy could be obtained, and he would gWHy do all he possibly could to assist in that direction, especially considering that it was a main arterial road, largely used by settlers and others who did not contribute ttwards local taxation. Mr Greenslade then referred to the large area of native land that is locked up iu the neighb mrhood and concluded by slying that the people of Kihikihi 'nd the surrounding districts could rest assured that he would do hi-- utmost to assist them in the direction indicted. (Applause.) Af sr some further discussion, it was unanimously rosolved that a deputation from the Kihiicifti T&Wn i.Tird and the Te Awamutu Town LUird should wait upon I the Waipa County Council, and that Mr Greenslade should be invited to be present. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Messrs Greenslade andTeasdale for attending, and a simiiar compbment to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.