Our Waterways.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 289, 27 August 1910, Page 3

Our Waterways.

To the Editor. Sir,—l read with interest a leading article under the above heading in a recerit issue of the "Chronicle," and was rather surprised it did not draw some of our public-spirited men into the correspondence columns. Again, in the issue of the twentieth inst., a Report is given 'of an interview with Mr Allan Bell on the same subject which was interesting reading. I quite agree with Mr Bell when he says we are living in a "railway age" and are blind to the provision nature has made for us in respect to waterways. Those who are familiar with the "North" will know how richly that locality is endowed with majestic rivers and magnificent trading harbours, and well do the settlers know their true worth, hence the truth of the Hon. J. Millar's recent statement that the North Auckland railways would scarcely pay axle grease—(pardon the digression!) We, too, living in the Waikato and King Country are richly endowed with splendid rivers, all suitable more or less for navigation. Indeed, they were largely utilised in thn respect until the scream of the iron horse was heard in the Waikato and Rohe Potae, and all eyes were turned to the railway. In conversation with an old native the other day I was informed that he in company with others often took canoe loads of pigs from Oparure and Mokau Valley down the Mangapu into the Waipa and thence down the Waikato and to Tuakau, and there sold their "porkers" to the pakeha who came to Tukau railway station, the then terminus of the railway, from Auckland to buy. Lying in the dense bush at Mangaotaki is a huge canoe now in a state of decomposition, supple-jacks and other growth of the bush having found their way through its timbers. It is beyond the recollection of the oldest native, but the general opinion advanced by the native is that it was being being built for this river trade to carry wheat to the mill, pigs to be exchanged for blankets, etc., when some accident took place and rendered it "tapu," Is it not a significant fact that these same worthy people should be the first to demonstrate the value of the Ohura river by placing a steam or oil launch for service within the last few weeks? If these streams played such an important part in the carriage of goods in days gone by, why should they not continue to do so? Are railway freights so light that we are quite satisfied that the order of things should continue? I remember some time ago purchasing a parcel of goods in Auckland for which I paid the sum of ninepence. It was forwarded to me by rail to Taumarunui and the stationmaster there coolly demanded 4s freight from me for the same—and 4s I had to pay before I got the goods. Coal can be bought at Huntly—first grade—for 15s, but it costs the same amount over again landed at Te Kuiti. This scheme mentioned by Mr Bell to place a boat on the Waikato river to meet coastal boats at Port Waikato should meet with strong support throughout the wnole of the Waikato and King Country. The Waikato is a splendid river—certainly there are a few shifting sand banks,—but these could as hitherto be overcome. There is a man in our district whose opinion on this subject would be both valuable and, interesting. I refer to Captain Lindsay, of Mangaotaki, who was the genial skipper of the Rangiriri which we often chartered for trips to Waikato heads in my boyhood days. He knew every bank in the river from Port Waikato to Huntly. Major Lusk, too, knows something of the Waikato river from Drury up to Hamilton, as he was engaged in many sharp skirmishes daring the campaign with the natives in that locality when the Government first placed the two steamers on the Waikato in 1863. Their opinions would be both interesting and valuable. Apart from the carriage of general merchandise there is another aspect of the question. Both the Waikato and Waipa have scenic attractions which are hard to beat. The same applies to the Mokau. These attractions, rendered doubly interesting by the sight of historical battlefields and redoubts all along the banks from source to sea, would cause tourists to rush the trips, as good fishing and shooting is always obtainable in season. Trusting someone more worthy than I will take up this important scheme from this end as it is fraught with benefit to the King Country in general.—l" am, etc., G. ELLIOTT. Mapiu, August 25th.