THE TURUA WHARF

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4317, 14 September 1921, Page 2

THE TURUA WHARF

Sir, —I beg to point out that a representative meeting of Turua residents was convened seme 18 months ago to meet a deputation of the Board at

Turua, which I had the honour to attend, and if my memory serves me right "(this matter is of long standing). in order to gain the confidence of those present and to show the Board’s earnestness in the matter, I sum of £3OOO was arranged and earmarked for the construction of Turua Wharf at the Harbour Board’s suggestion. Turua folk are of the opinion that an injustice has been done to. them by the Board, and the question what has become of the £3OOO the wharf. They claim they have a riglfStoJiave that sum spent according to TlT5'

Board’s proposals. I may say the representatives of this district at the meeting above mentioned looked forward anxiously to the commencement of operations as soon as plans, and specifications were approved-by the Government, hence their attitude at present in laying before the Board their just claims and bringing pressure to bear upon public men. Public men need pressure at times, especially if they live in a locality not interested. The matter is so urgent that arrangements should be made to commence the construction immediately, The 'difficulty of obtaining our 'goods in good order is insurmountable at present. I have in my possession, as manager of Bagnall Brothers’ store, a telegram from the Northern Steamship Company, Auckland, stating that perishable cargo -on board the Aupouri to be landed at a late hour at Turua will have to be -left on the open" wharf. No cover is available,. Something must be done to protect the settlers’ interests on this side of the river. The Board disregarded pur appeal in days gone by. and now we must point out to them, and to the public, in our own way,, oui’ side of the question. A suggestion put forth by a member of the Board at one of the meetings recently appeals to me rather forcibly, namely, to proceed with the .erection with the money already allocated for th'S

work. This is what the-Turua people want done. Surely, without being too much of an optimist, one may assume that the money market by that time will have an avenue open for the completion of the work already started? The necessity demands strong measures', and by taking them the Harbour Board will have the backing and the confidence of the people o* Turua behind them m the near future when schemes of greater magnitude are on the agenda. J. T. DAVIES.