Awakino County.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 280, 27 July 1910, Page 5

Awakino County.

•■■ To the Editor. Sir,—Just a few lines to show reasons why the northern part of the Awakino County shoud be, incorporated in the Kawhia County:--!. Because the ocean is the highway of the world; the Kawhia harbour being the outlet to that highway for about 500,000 acres of country, whose trade drains through the harbour. This piece of country naturally belongs to- one County the interests being identical. 2. This County is completely surrounded by a watershed as follows: —To the north by the Aotea and Raglan watershed, to the east by Pirongia mountain and the Marakopa and Waipawa watersheds, and to the south by the Kiritehere and Waikawhau watershed. 3. Our interests are with Kawhia, not with Awakino or vVaitomo. We can be of no benefit to either of the latter counties, no matter what our opinions to the contrary. In reply to the proposals to have the Kawhia Harbour Board boundaries extended to take in the whole of Awakino county, it woud be simply madness for that county to put a yoke on its neck which could be of no benefit, as, if. at some future date extensive improvements were effected to the Kawhia harbour, Awakino would simply be rated for no benefit, as Mokau is the outlet to this county. In reply to those who consider that the Marakopa river has a claim on the Kawhia Harbour Board's revenue, for the improvements to the river, this not so. Does any sane person think that the Kawhia people are going to pay wharfage for the benefit of Marakopa. Now, in regard to the Kawhia harbour endowment, the revenue from this must go to the harbour to which it belongs by Act of Parliament. To best way to advance the interest of this district is to join the Kawhia County and Harbour Board, forming the districts of Marakopa, Kiritehere and Te Anga into one riding, enclosing Marakopa river in the riding boundary. We could then secure a loan to carry out improvements to the river through the Kawhia County. The proposal to form a river board for the south side of the river is not worth consideration. To be incorporated in Awakino county would be a mistake, as we have no interest in Awakino, our interest being entirely different. The south end of the county would be able to out-vote us three to one, so we would be disfranchised. By carrying out improvements to the Marakopa river, the shipping companies have offered to reduce freight 10s per ton, which is a consideration. The votes are 26 to 9, 26 having signed a petition in favour of joining the Kawhia county nine against; Kiritehere stands 20 in favour eight against; Marakopa and Te Anga six in favour one against. Pomerangi has been left out, not having been requested to join. The latter is hostile, and so will continue in the Awakino county. If things remain as at present that is Kawhia county and harbour board on the north bank of the river, and the Awakino county and the proposed river hoard on the south bank, we would resemble a small donkey with a huge burden.—l am, etc., JOHN WOULDES. Kiritehere, 20th July, 1910.