Untitled

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3564, 11 December 1882, Page 2

We are glad to notice that the Wairoa Guardian " cordially endorses " our remarks concerning the ferry charges on live stock at the rivers on the road from Napier to Wairoa. Our contemporary sa y S : _" It is no fault of ours that we have so many unbridged rivers on the Napier-Wairoa line—past Governments have totally neglected us, shut our district out from participation i_ the benefits of the public works scheme, and taxed us the while to the uttermost farthing." The Guardian then gives a list of the ferries, and the charges at each. At Mohaka tho charge is £d per head for the first 500, and £d per head over that number ; there is a good punt now, and a ferryman in attendance ; at Waihua the charge is 10s per 1000. At the Wairoa ferry, where there is a good punt, and ferryman, and where it takes a good deal of hard work to cross a mob of sheep, the charges are similar to those at the Mohaka ferry. It is at Opoiti, however, that the most extortionate rate prevails, namely, Id per head, or £4 3s 4d per 1000. This charge was fixed two years ago by a former Wairoa Council, and as the lease will not expire till December 31st, no change can be made till then ; meantime the Council has recommended the ferryman to charge only 10s a 1000 for sheep, which we understand is now the toll claimed.