The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 10. THE MOKAU.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 274, 10 April 1911, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 10. THE MOKAU.

After a long period of comparative stagnation there is every indication that j the Mokau is about to come into its own. Up to now several factors have j operated against the progress and devel- j opment of this district, the most important being the tying up of big areas | of land in the neighborhood, and the absence of a bridge over the river, and, to a lesser extent, the bad state of the main road, particularly that over Mount Messenger, in wet seasons. The interests in the "Mokau Jones" estate and the j native land adjoining have recently been acquired by a wealthy southern syndicate, who propose to cut up and road the property, and offer it for settlement on easy terms, besides going in for developing the extensive mineral deposits and milling the tracts of timber on the estate. If this is done, there can be no doubt but that both the syndicate and district will profit. The country, or the greater part of it, is splendid sheep and cattle country, and will carry a j fairly large population. The river is the natural highway of the district, and further assistance is being asked of the Government towards its improvement. For the last eight years the river has been vested in the Mokau River Trust, which, having no rating powers or endowments, is dependent entirely upon grants from the Government for snagging and keeping the river open to navigation. So far the grants have not been very considerable—only about £OOO altogether, or £75 a year. This sum is altogether inadequate. Still, it is surprising what the board has accomplished with its slender income. Up to the mines the river is navigable for steamers of fair draught, but above that point a good deal of work has yet to be done before the river plays that part in the settlement of the district nature intended it should. As Mr. Jennings pointed out to the Minister on Thursday, the Wanganui River Board, though possessed of considerable revenue resources, receives substantial annual grants from the Government. This being so, it is only right and fair that the Mokau Board should receive greater consideration at the hands of the Government than it does. The Minister, in his reply, pointed out that the syndicate should contribute. To this the syndicate's representative subsequently showed that they were quite prepared, in the event of a loeal body being constituted, to devote a reasonable proportion of the accruing rates to the upkeep of the river. The representative also said liis people were prepared to treat the Government reasonably in the matter of reserving the scenery on the banks of the river, being just as alive as anyone else to the value of the magnificent scenery of the river. Tf both parties approach the matter in the same commendable spirit, we do not anticipate that there will be anv trouble in arriving at a mutually satisfactory arrangement, and one that will meet with the approval of the public. The unrivalled scenic beauty of the river is an asset the possibilities of which are very great. With improved means of communication. the river may become as valuable to the district as the Wanganui river-is to Wanganui. A better road is necessary first of all. With the exception of Mount Messenger the road is good. And Mount Messenger could be made quite serviceable if the Government, which has charge of it. would spend a few hundred pounds in laying down more burned papa, which makes nil admirable road material. More regular eommunication by sea will come with further settlement and development. The deputation made out a particularly strong case for the Government, undertaking, without delay, the construction of a bridge over the

river. Tliey are committed to the work by having already voted a sum towards its cost, but something more than a commitment is required. To the most casual observer, the necessity for having .something- more than a punt service is apparent. It is one of the bigge.st stock routes in the island, and how the punt deals with the traffic at all is surprising to us. The Hon. T. Mackenzie was evidently sympathetic, and it is hoped he will be able to persuade his colleagues to place whatever sum is required for the construction of an adequate bridge on next year's estimates, particularly as the settlers are willing to contribute towards its cost per toll, though why they should we do not know, seeing that it is an arterial highway between two important provinces. With its land roaded and settled, the river open to steamer traffic to its upper reaches, its scenic resources brought more prominently before the public, its bridge constructed, and Mount Messenger metalled, the Mokau should be one of the most prosperous districts in the Dominion. New Plymouth should not watch the development that is about to take place in a detached sort of way, but should get right in and associate itself with the new order of things as closely as possible. The interests cf New Plymouth and Mokau are, or should be, interwoven, and from the successful development of this promising country the capital town cannot help benefiting. But New Plymouth must be up and doing, and not allow more enterprising neighbors to jockey her out of the position nature meant her to occupy.