CORRESPONDENCE. THE ESTUARY OF THE WHAREAMA!

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9040, 25 January 1908, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE ESTUARY OF THE WHAREAMA!

(To the Editor.) <1 Sir, —Your leader of the 22nd of January, headed "A Prospective Industry," setting forth the possibility of establishing fisheries on the East Coast of this district, has been read with interest by a large number of people, who would be only too delighted to obtain a cheap and nutritious food supply—a welcome change from the eternal mutton and beef they are now obliged to consume. As you point out. it is only a "trifling and easily removable obstacle" thatstands in the way of exploiting the fish-laden' waters of the estuary of • the Whareama river and adjacentfishing grounds—the obstacle referred to being the want of a public thorT oughfare, 75 chains in length, which would entail passing through some freehold land. Knowing somewhat of the locality, I cannot conceive the reason why the owner of the land should stand in the way of giving the public the necessary right-of-way to the river, as the opening up of this estuarine and navigable river would enormously enhance the value of the lands which extend along the river frontage for several miles. Sir, might itnot.be advisable for a deputation from the public to approach the owner of the property, through which the proposed road would run,and endeavour to arrive at some equitable arrangement. You point out tfiat if the road has to be taken, which I presume would be under the Public Works Act, the cost would fce £250. This does not seem

an excessive amount, but whenever compulsion is resorted to in matters of this nature, a great deal of friction and unpleasantness ensues, oft times leading to expensive and protracted litigation. The "suaviter in modo" is often preferable to the "fortiter in re".- Many landowners have been generous enough, under somewhat like conditions, to give the land required by the public, and have been satisfied if the two sides of the

highway taken are securely fenced and guarded against trespass. Permit me to make another suggestion. The southern bank of the Whareama river is in the Wairarapa electorate, represented by Mr J. T. M. Hornsby. * I am not aware that he has been approached on this question; possibly if he was he might use his influence with the Government and, in conjunction with Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P., and a strong deputation, something practical might be the result. At any ratp, the public would then be made aware of the position the Government take, and failing support from that quarter other means might be devised. Sir, could not your Wellington contemporaries be induced to lend their aid and assistance to us? It would be much to the advantage of the denizens of that city to participate in a cheap and regular supply of fresh fish. To the general public the beautiful waters of the Whareama river are quite unknown, and to see which would be a revelation. It

would, I venture to say, be a move

in the right direction to organise a party, consisting- of a Minister of the Crown, Messrs A. W. Hogg and Hornsby, M.P's., the representatives of the local press, and a few of our leading citizens and business men to visit the locality. --I am, etc., AN OLD RESIDENT. .