PIAKO RIVER TRADE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4470, 22 September 1922, Page 2

PIAKO RIVER TRADE.

PAEROA-PLAINS SERVICE. PROSPECTS FOR DEVELOPMENT. TRIP ON THE P.S. KOPU. Not only is the Pi,akp River essential to the drainage of the Hauraki Plains, but it Is also an invaluable asset for the transmisslpn of the settlers’ requireinepts. As a water-way, its value cannot he over estimated, and, perhaps, it is as valuable as the much desired Paeroa Pokeno railway will oyer be to the farming community of the Hauraki Plains. One has only tp see the enormous quantities of goods carried up the river by each trip made by .the river steamers to see what an exteremely valuable asset the waterway is. It is navigable right up to within a mile of Tahuna, Iwhich is only a,bout 12 miles by rpad from Morrinsville. A fortnightly service, has been instituted by the Northern Steamship Co., Ltd., betweep Paeroa and Tahuna. Last Monday, the occasion of one of its trips, the s.s. Kopu was accompanied by a “Gazette” reporter, who, during the trip, was greatly impressed by the grand opportunity Paeroa has of opening up an extensive trade with the settlements on the Piako River.

The p.s. Kopu left Paeroa on Monday morning, towing a large barge loaded mostly with timber. Owipg to the fact that the service is not. yet well known, there was not a great deal of other cargo. There was, however, a little for Tahuna. Ngatea was reached early on Monday afternoon, and, uploading the timber there, the p.s. Kopu pushed on ■to Kaihere Landing, where she tied up for the night Early in the morning the s.s. Gael arrived from Auck--1 land, bringing a large amount cf cargo, the most recent daily papers, and the latest news of the threatening w.ar, details of which were extremely meagre on board.the Kopu just then. As the Gael’s cargo for up-river ports was too great for the capacity of the Kopu and the attendant barge, the Kopu herself was loaded with a number of sundries and set out immediately for Patetonga, while the barge was being requisitioned for the heavier material. When the barge was towed away from the Kaiihere Landing later in the day it held 57 tons of general cargo, ten of which were for Patetonga and the remain der for Tahuna. The Kopu and the barge moored at the Patetonga wharf during the night and continued the trip .next morning, reaching the vicinity of Tahuna about lunch time. Stops were made at a couple of homesteads to land requisites for the farmer who was in occupation. T.he final destination was reached about 5.30 p.m. The barge was manoeuvred alongside the high banks—high when compared with the-river banks lower down. The donkey engine was soo.i spluttering busily next morning, and the work of unloading continued till mid-day. There was no landing of any description, the settlers having to receive their cargo on the riverbank. From the large amount of cargo landed and the large number of settlers who gathered to receive their goods it would appear that most of the local requirements arrive there by water. THE TORTUOUS RIVER. The river, though narrow and winding, is quite navigable right up to West Road, at Tahuna, but at one of the very sharp bends a little difficulty was experienced in getting the barge round. In one or two places cuts have been made, and these facilitate navigation as well as making the distance much shorter. If a number of these huge bends could be cut off the river’s utility would be greatly increased, but even in its present state it is of inestimable value. Daily, launches and barges are seen plying up and down. A CHANCE FOR PAEROA. When the Plains' people realise what a valuable asset they have lh the fortnightly shipping ser.vlce from Paeroa, there is no doubt that they will largely avail themselves of it. Even though it is as yet little known; some timber was carried to Ngatea and other goods to Tahuna. If it is found that large cargos will be offering, there is no reason to doubt that the shipping company will make a weekly service of it. It, however, must first be shown that the weekly trip will be warranted, and if the Paeroa businessmen are anxious for It, they will get among the people on the Plains and assist them in every way possible.