RAGLAN'S NEEDS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17982, 29 March 1930, Page 7

RAGLAN'S NEEDS.

ASSISTANCE FOR ROADS

OKETE SOLDIERS’ SETTLEMENT. INACCESSIBLE IN WINTER. (Special Reporter.) RAGLAN, Saturday. Between Te Akau and Waingaro there is an unformed piece of road, about three miles in extent, which, if formed and metalled, would form an important connecting link between Ruakiwi and the Tc Akau-Raglan main road.

The Minister of Public Works (Hon. E. A. Ransom), when at Raglan, was asked by Mr T. Parker for assistance towards forming and metalling this road. The speaker pointed out that there were only live settlers on the actual piece of road itself, and they were unable to bear 50 per cent, of the cost of doing the work.. The bulk, of the area was Crown land, and he suggested it would be a suitable work on which to put a relief gang. The road was on paper only at the present time. There was no semblance of a road in actuality.

The Minister promised to look into the matter and see if it was a suitable job on which to place relief workers.

Mr Parker also asked for a grant for the road from Tc Uku to Waingaro Springs, through Kaierc. There was only a track at the present time, which ran partly through native land, but the route, if opened up, would he a very .useful outlet. The road had been formed, but much of it’ had fallen into disrepair. If formed only as a summer road, it would he of great assistance, as it would open up an avenue to the residents of (den Massey and all the mining townships in that area, to get to Raglan easilj. The Minister said he would discuss with the Native Minister what was best to be done, with the native land through which the road passed and from which no rates would he obtainable. Oketo Settlers’ Difficulties. Leading from the Ilamilton-Ragbn road into Okcte is a stretch of clay road, which, like most oilier roads of its class, becomes impassable in the winter lime. Although comparatively close to Raglan, the settlers never know, when they leave in winter time to ride in for supplies, whether they will reach their destination, and mostly they carry long-handled shovels with which to dig themselves out should necessity arise. , The position was represented to the Minister last night by Mr A. Peart, who said the unmetallcd area totalled nearly three miles, the cost of metalling which had been estimated at £2BOO. The former Minister oof Public Works, Hon K. S. Williams, had promised a subsidy of £2 for £L for the work. The settlers on the road could not. afford to raise a loan for half the cost-

Mr Campbell Johnstone did not see why the soldier settlers should not be joined in one big loan. Mr Peart mentioned that Camp Fcrgusson, which had been bought by public subscription for £I2OO, lay along the road. The Minister promised to inspect the road. < Tlic soldier settlers of Okete, adjoining this road, also waited on (he Minister, and asked to have their stretch of road metalled under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement scheme. Mr Lumsden said the settlers had done great work there, but they found it almost next to impossible to get iheir produce out in winter time. They often had to dig out their sledges.

Mr Campbell Jonhstone said these selllers were put on the land at £JB an acre, ■ and the extreme price at which it could be farmed under the conditions then existing, was £3. Rakanui Settlers. Mr A. R. Langley made representations regarding the Rakanui block on the eastern slopes of Karioi, where there are a number of settlers who had laboured there for many years under very difficult conditions by reason of having no proper access. Mr P. Sweet-man said that in four years the output from the block had increased from 14,0001 b of bullerfat to 60,0001 b. The road was really very dangerous, and there had been five accidents on it. The speaker; also mentioned that several blocks of land surrounding the Rakanui district, which once were well cultivated, had been allowed to go back, owing to no access, and were now harbouring weeds and rabbits.

Mr Lee Martin said that a visit to the block recently convinced him of the regrettable manner in which much of the land had been allowed to go back- lie urged the claims .of the settlers for a better access.

Mr Dyson said that- £2OO of free money had already been expended on this road. There was still £SO available under the fiood damage vote;

Mr W. Vernon (riding member) said the latter sum would be entirely inadequate for the work. 1-Ie suggested that relief labour should be put on to widen the road. The seLtlers had farmed their land excellently. The Minister said there was a good deal of demand on relief workers, and already a fair amount of relief money had been spent in the country. This he could say, however, had been appreciated, This work seemed a very suitable.one for relief work, and he would inquire further into the position. He would certainly give the settlers some relief, for it was no use talking of giving relief to settlers in the back districts and then sitting back and doing nothing.

Grants at Okete,

The Minister visited the Okete Settlement this morning, and after seeing the conditions for himself, promised a grant of £2 for £1 for metalling the clay road to Pearl’s place. He also inspected the road though the soldier settlement, where the returned soldiers undertook to spread the metal themselves. The Minister agreed to subsidise on the basis or £2 for £l.