MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 132, 14 January 1916, Page 1

MERCER.

IHE WAIKATO RIVER

NAVIGATION DIFFICULTIES A petition setting forth the disabilities attending navigation on the Waikato river is teing extensively signed by launch proprietor?, fiaxmill owners, sawmillers, etc., for presentation to the Waikato Kiver Board. Copies of the memorial have also been sent to the various local authorities in the Waikato with a view of influence by meanß of resolution being brought to bear on tha Government for assistance to be rendered whereby the river should be preserved as a navigable waterway. The text cf the petition is as follows:—"To the Chairman of the Waikato River Board.—We, the undersigned traders and snipping proprietors on the Waikato river, re3pectfully beg to draw your attention to the state of the Waikato tiver aal its tributaries between Mercer and Huntly. The river, the ii.iest in New Zealand, and draining and serving an immenst area of country, is becoming almost unnavigable fur even launch*s of the lightest draught, through shallowness and banks of sand, caused by the serious dropping of the waters attributable to the dry spell of weather and the Waikato River Board's operations in draining and groyning at the lower end of the river. We would point out that a very large number of people are dependent va the Waikato tor tbeir living and supplies, and should the liver get much worse it will mean the stopping of operations for flaxmills, sawmills, etc, and farmeis being unablj to get supplies in or out, Hundreds of thousinds of pounds worth cf coal, tlax, limber, wool, manure and farm products are handled and supplied to and from tho;C living and working on its banks and tributaries yearly; yet nothing is spent en the tiver towards making it more navigable by groyning or controlling it in the locality more seriously affected. A magnilicent waterway is being shamefully neglected, and the time has quite come when it should have treatment deserving of its advantages. We would also point out that the trade on the river is increasing daily and that goods are now being carried bb far as Cambridge. With tbe summer not halt over the prospects for navigation are most gleomy, and we would ask that the matter receive your immediate attention,"

Mr Gimblett, the new licensee cf the Mercer Hoti I, took over possession on Monday last, He was accompanied by Mr Morris, of Auckland, who has heen entrusted with the management.