WHAREAMA FISHERY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9041, 28 January 1908, Page 5

WHAREAMA FISHERY.

(To the Editor). Sir,—l have to thank someone for being good enough to send me copies of the Wairarapa Age containing the articles, and a letter, referring to the Whareama / River as a possible fishing ground and health resort. Let me say at once that both Mr Hogg and myself have moved in this matter, at the instance of Mr. Thos. Smith and another; but we have Baen roe 1 ; with the difficulty of want of a:cess to the fishing ground. It is an extraordinary fact that what was years ago a reserve, and where at least one building stood for the benefit of the public has become l private property. A township was planted many years ago, near the mouth of the Whareama River, and small sailing vessels have come up that river. It would take too long, perhaps, and cost too much money to discover the why and wherefore of "all the changes that have been effected on the face of the map, and it certainly would require the services of the "oldest inhabitant" to tell us the early and subsequent history of the Whareama River and the reserve. What we are concerned about, now, is to discover the best means of opening up> the place. The land available (some hundred or so acres) is a native reserve, and I have already applied to the Native 'Minister to open this land to an intending settler, or settlers. Mr Carrol has the matter under consideration, and it is to ,be hoped that the land will be offered for lease.. The great question, however, is right-of-way, and this, I think, the State should provide. If it is necessary to go through Kohiwai, then the Govern ■ ment should take a roadline there; but it may be there is another and more direct rou 4- e. Some people say there is. With the opinion expressed in your valuable paper I agree, namely, that a possible industry and source of food supply for the people should not be kept from the people. 1 may say that I shall be very glad to fall in with any reason-, able plan that may be set on foot to open the Whareama fishing to the public. There seems little doubt but that a deputation should wait upon the Minister (Mr Millar) and ask him to take such steps as may be deemed necessary to open the way for the carrying on of the fishing in dustry at a point from which the Wairarapa towns might draw a plentiful supply of good, healthy food. I am, etc., ■ J. t. M. HORNSBY. Carterton, January 25th, ISOB.