Trade to Kawhia.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 320, 12 July 1907, Page 2

Trade to Kawhia.

A SHIPPING OPPORTUNITY. New Zealand Times, July 2nd, 1907 A tesident of Kawhia had some comments to make to a “Times” reporter yeeterday iu connection with the suggestion made by this journal that one of tbe Wellington shipping firms should seize the opportunity, afforded by the wrack of the Kia Ora aud consequent dislocation of trade, to inaugurate a regular steamship seryico between Kawhia and Wellington, in place of the present Aackland-Onehnnga-Waitara service. It was pointed out by this gentleman that the railage charges between Onehunga and Auckland, incidental to the existing service present a considerable barrier to trade as the cost of transit adds to the price of commeditioa to and from market. Another obstacle to the trade at present is the clearing of two bar harbours instead of one, if Wellington be the terminal port. It was also stated that the Northern Company’s charge (not including railage) is 17s 6d per ton on ordinary freights between Onehunga and Kawhia, whereas the charge between Onehunga and Waitara is 10a per ton, notwithstanding that Kawhia harbour would permit of a much larger boat entering than is possible at Waitara. The Kia Ora was not per mitted to enter the Waitara harbour except in daylight and at flood tide. The Kia Ora used to enter Kawhia day or night, at any time from half tide upwards. Iu order to present the possibilities of tbe Kawhia bar, it may be stated that there is twelve feet of water at low spring tides and forty feet of water at the wharf, and the rise of the tide is thirteen feet . The volume of trade outwards from Kawhia is growing fast, its the farms in the back-blocks are developing, and settlers are putting on a good class of stock, whilst the country is well adapted for the raising of sheep* The export of wool promises to assume considerable dimensions within a few years, whilst the export of flax and timber from as far as Raglan and Marokopa is growing fast. The inward trade oomprises mainly wire, grass seed, flour, and groceries of all kinds, and at present the southern houses, who are endeavouring to establish business in the district, are obliged to send the goods through Auckland. By tbe charge of 10s per ton from Onehunga to Waitara, Auckland merchants are able to put goods into Stratford and Eltham Bit no greater cost iu freight than at present from Wellington—iu the latter instance using New Plymouth, or Patea as the distributing port. This unfair competition, it is claimed, militates against the development of Kawhia and Raglan, as those two places are paying the difference in the freight to Waitara.

The present moment is singularly opportune for a Wellington shipping firm to make a beginning, and liberal support will be forthcoming. It is anticipated that Wellington-Kawhia steamer connection is only a matter of time, and the residents are hopeful of an early settlement of their wishes. At a meeting of the committee of the New Zealand Shipowners’ Federation on Friday, it waa resolved :—“That thh Federation desires to express its greatest indignation at the opinions express-id in the New Zealand Times of June 22nd, wherein Wellington firms were advised to take advantage of the unfortunate disaster to the Kia Ota by endeavouring; to diyert the Kawhia trade from Auckland to Wellington in spite of the o Ports made by the Nor thorn Steamship Company to promptly plftoe another steamer on the line.” It was farther reaolved, in the event of suoh an attempt being made, the Federation wouldrender every assistance to the Northern Co. to defeat the proposes.