THE COAL COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 102, 15 May 1901, Page 2

THE COAL COMMISSION.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir - WouM yoa kkdly allow me space to make a few rsrna k-t on the evidence given before the Coal Commission re'ative to Mokau. Mr, Corkill -aid he considered the bar could not be immov- d,and a I-u-ger vessel than one of 7r't draught could not tmle here. The bar and river were surveyed by a ■"ompet >nt Government ollioer, who I bel'evo estimated that tin b'r could bo !g- peucd to 10ft at a cos', of £IO,OOO. As rrga'ds a wssil drawing uions than 7ft. not beiog I may s'ate that tKe " Itowena" trad d hera drawing Ofjand also the Kiripika drawing Bft Gin. The oldest lesidents here do not remember tlat Mr. Corkill ever crossed tho Mok*u bar. If that is eo ho might liavo told the Commission that he was not qua'iGed to g'vo an opinion on tho uutt.ir. Capt. JoDas said the liver vas shoding at Mr, Kelly's mil owing 'o the bash' being feikd along the back). There is 30ft to 40it of water from Kolly'n wharf to the clearing .and mil s beyord. Dors Captiin Jonas romcrabor it having b, en any d°ep.r? Ho also stated that the chanm-l on Mok-iu bar whs o>Jy 50ft, itiie ; if that is «o how did lio manage to swir>g tho B(>''t. Douglas round when cho propeller w-fused to ict. lam told on j»cod air.hoiity tha„ tlioiei? at leis*) 300 ft. of channel at. low wstor. Mr. Stobhs snid that lii.v e nr.piny had built a boat, which tould no L . be pub on tho trade unti the liver was improved. S.irely it would have been bother to have built a bteamer to suit t l e liver than waiting for tho| river to'bo made to suit the steamer. Sir, I have been workiog in the bush for seme t : me and ttke an interest in this district, and 1 cant ot rest content 'o soo th" p'ace unjus'ly decried with out saying a word in its defence, so if ycu will kindly publish this letter I shall bd greatly obligtd. - I urn, etc., Bushman, Mokau. Mokau, May Bth, 1901.