The Waikato River and its Possibilities.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 359, 12 March 1918, Page 2

The Waikato River and its Possibilities.

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—The attention of the Public is being drawn to this magnificent waterway almost every day. Previous to the advent of the railway it was used considerably, but on the completion of the line to the upper Waikato the trade dwindled down to almost nothing' The authorities also did their best to stifle any enterprise in that direction by pulling up railway sidings, and cranes, and also putting an impost on goods taken over the banks in places, even after the facilities were withdrawn With the advent of opening up of fresh lands for settlement and the increase in dairying, however, a fresh impetus has been given to trade, and during the last ten years it his been steadily growing. Last year about 60,000 tons of cargo were carried, and several thousand passengers and more will be carried this ye ir, even in spite of war conditions A regu lar service is run from Onehunga to Hamilton and Cambridge, and when the war is over it is anticipated that a connection will be established with Sydney direct. It is estimated that with a direct service to Australia fertilisers could be delivered to the farmers along the river at at least a pound per ton less than they could procure it via Auckland. Re'.urn freight can be picked up also, but storage accommodation is needed at Port Waikato fir.-t. The bar is good and easily negotiated and can be worked when any other Wes Coast bar can. There are hundreds of miles of tributaries that are navigable and every day cream, wool and other produce are carried down these to the Railway and all sorts of farming and household requisites are taken back. The river is a permanent highway that needs no repairs, and for a comparatively small sum can be made navigable in the dryest summer. Lately a League has been formed with Hamilton as headquarters, to promote the utilisation of the river and its tributaries, aud th?y have been able already to interest the Minister of Marino and he is going to make a trip from Cambridge to the Waikato Heads The League are satisfied, tint, when the Minister sees the possibilities that lie ahead of the Waikato Kiver he will recommend a grant for improvement purposes. A tiche of the amount spent on some of the unproductive southern railways would [imminently make the Waikato River the best highway in the North Island and it would only then be a question of a very short time until it w.is linked to Auckland by a canal system.—l am, E. T. FROST. Tusk u.

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