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Manawatu Times, Volume X, Issue 1172, 11 February 1884, Page 2

At its last sitting the Manawatu Koad Board was fairly besiegecTwitli deputations from Kairanga complaining of the wretched state of the roads m that locality. The tale each had to tell bore the same burden' of inconvenience caused by unformed roads, impassable since last winter, and flooded to such an extent as to be more fit for canoe traffic than anything else. This last statement was by no means an exaggerated one, but unfortunately for the residents is a solid fact. One deputation informed the Board that its members, m order to get m some material to their properties, had actually to work for two days laying down that . wooden substitute known as " corduroy " before they could get it there ; and the whole desire of another was that the road should be put m such a. condition as would enable a man on horseback to travel along it. Though the settlers are m such a disheartening position, however, the Board could no nothing for them for want of funds, and as that state is likely to be chronic, it is pretty evident the. settlers are deserving of sympathy. They bought their land with the full understanding that the roads would be made, but according to the statements of one deputation, though seven instalments of the deferred payment money had been paid, not a single penny had been spent upon the road. There can be no doubt as to the genuineness of the hardships experienced by the settlers, and there can be little doubt also that, on account of the slow process by which it accumulates, the money derived from their payments will be of little avail m improving matters for some time to come. We can see no reason why, considering the special circumstances of the case, an appeal should not be made to Government to make some arrangement whereby a sufficient sum might be advanced, on the security of the sum yet to be received from these settlers which has to be devoted to road making, to. put the roads m proper order at once. "It is stated by those competent to give an opinion that the improvement required can be secured m the cheapest and most complete manner only by carrying out the whole at once, and this could be done if it were possible to arrange the advance m the way suggested. The matter is worth consideration, m view pf the almost utter hopelessness of other means, and it is at least

possible that a petition from the settlers to this effect, backed up by strong representations from „ thTe Board might have the desired effect, while if it is necessary to have any special legislation before this can be done, the near approach of the election affords a favorable opportunity of bringing this before candidates for the seat.