The Te Puke Times FRIDAY, DEC 12. THE MOUNT WHARF.

Te Puke Times, Volume II, Issue II, 12 December 1913, Page 2

The Te Puke Times FRIDAY, DEC 12. THE MOUNT WHARF.

Reverting once again to the question of the Mount wharf, it is, we think, Very desirable that the various local bodies should once again approach the Minister for Public Works. to ascertain the reason for the vexatious delay in proceeding with the enlargement and strengthening of this structure. For 'months past, prior to the strike, statements were forthcoming from Mr Eraser to the effect that the work was to be put in hand at the earliest opportunity, but apparently nothing further lias been done in

the matter. The manure season is now past, and not only has a considerable revenue been lost to the Government owing' to the steamer not having been able to call at the Mount and discharge cargo, but farmers have also been put to increased expense in the carriage of their fertilisers. As we stated recently, there may be justification for this tedious delay, but if so, neither we nor the public generally are aware of it. We wish to draw the attention of local bodies to the fact that the session is about to close, and that Ministers will, in all probability, be shortly leaving for a vacation, and it is imperative, therefore, that further representations be made to the Minister at once. If this is not done, the work may again be hung up indefinitely. The matter is one of great, importance to the district. We have the assurance of the Northern Steamship Company that as soon as the improvements to the wharf are effected a steamer will call regularly at the Mount, which means that all goods and merchandise would be railed direct to Te Puke. The continuous delay in effecting the promised improvements is retarding the.progress of the district, and calls for a prompt remonstrance. Patience is a virtue, but it may be carried so far as to become folly, and we trust that the Farmers' Union or the Town Board will lose no time in forwarding an emphatic protest to the Minister for Works against further delay.