The Daily News. DAY, OCTOBER 6, 1903. THE MOKAU RIVER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 214, 6 October 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. DAY, OCTOBER 6, 1903. THE MOKAU RIVER.

Those who have seen the Mokau river know that for silvan beauty and loveliness of river scenery it is unequalled in the colony, not even the far-famed Wanganui river can show the same soft beauty, the same wealth of vegetation, the same variety of colour, the same quiet reaches of almost still watei with landing places on many level flats round which the river winds, with a beauty peculiarly its own. Just as the Wanganui river with its rapids, itf rugged features, its wonderful papa cliff', has a character not to be found elsewhere. The Mokau hat attractions which only require to become known to become one ol the most popular tourists' resorts in the colony. It is gratifying to find that Mr Jennings, the member fo, Egmont, is odo of the few members of the House who are alive to the necessity of taking steps to preserve its beauty and value. The river is to have a special administration of its own under the Mokau Eiver Trust Bill, which has been introduced by Mi Jennings. The full title of tha Bill is " An Act for the conservation of the natural scenery of the uppfi w.iters ol the Mokau River and for the protection of the navigation of the said waters." The trust is to ba composed of the chairman of the Mokau Harbour Board, the chairman of the Oliftoo County, the member for the district, and two persons to be appointed by the Governor. The trust is to be constituted under tha Kiver Boards Act, 1884, and, in addition to certain powers under that Act, is to improv. the navigation of the upper river ami to construct jetties and landing-places, and establish ferries. Lands may be given to the trust as an endowment. The Governor nny declare any land to be a public domain, and in regard tr these laoda the Board shall be deemed to be a public Domain Board and may | do all things necessary for the conservation ot natural scenery and the prevention of the removal or injury to any trees or shrubs, or of anything forming part of the landscape. It is not necessary here to dwell on the advantages of preserving this river. Jt a few years the railway from Stratford will be in to the central line, and no more enjoyable trip can be imagined than up the Mokau, and back by rail via Stratford or vice versa. A grea' deal of tbe land in the vicinity of the river is of excellent quality, and wisb the lime and almost inexhaudtable coal measures, will BUpport a very large population. We hope Mr Jennings will be heartily Eupported, and be successful in passing the Bill.