THE NEEDS OF MASTERTON.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3203, 1 June 1909, Page 6

THE NEEDS OF MASTERTON.

(To the Editor). Sir,—ln your issue of the 21st inst, under the above, heading, appears an article on the roading of the back blocks, pointing out how local business suffers for want of access to and from the same. It is not my intention at present to pass under review the whole of such article, but having taken some interest and given some attention, arid having an intimj ate knowledge of the country, I would ask you to find space in your valuable columns to express my views i n connection with opening up the Whareama river as a fishing ground and pleasure resort. Since efforts were made some time ago to effect this purpose, circumstances have somewhat changed with regard to giving access to this esturian river. In the first instance, it wa3 sought to obtain access by a road some 75 chains in length from the BlairlogieHomewood road, in the vicinity of ! Mr Toogood's homestead across the j level flats to the supposed or assumed | five acres shipping reserve at the I head of the navigable waters of the river—a site upon which the ! pioneer settlers of Tenui and Whareama erected a shipping shed, and I from which their wool and other proI duce was shipped to Wellington, and where their stores were landed. Wnen the former agitation was going on Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P., now Minister for Roads and Bridges, moved in the matter with the following result:—The Government instructed Mr Robertson, Chief Road Inspector, and Mr Scott, the local inspector, to visit the locality. This eventuated, and a report was handed in showing that the road was about 75 chains in length, which would curtail an expenditure of about £3OO to cover the cost of land, fencing and road formation. The next step was to ascertain if the five acres reserve existed, and was assured by Mr Hogg that diligent search had been made, going as far back as the old Provincial days, and that there was no public record of the existence of such a reserve. Mr Hogg went a step further and tried to get a right of road down the south-eastern bank of the Whareama to connect with Whareama Native Reserve, a distance o±, approximately, four miles, with the ultimate intention of acquiring the native interest in the reserve (619 acres) for close settlement, and as a health and tourist resort. The two things combined were rather a large order, and would have run into several thousand pounds, in addition to which the European tenants of the reserve would have to be compensated , for disturbance of tenure. Since then the subject if not forgotten has been in abeyance, and perhaps would have been lost sight of if not for your article above alluded to, and the discussion which took place thereon in our local Chamber of Commerce. I have perhaps dilated too much on this aspect of the case, but I trust i

to be able to point cut to your readers and the public that access can be given to the fishing grounds at far Jess expense than anticipated in the first instance, and without in any way being detrimental in point of distance and other matters. It is no secret that the lea Estate, which is bounded by the Whareama driver, has since the demise of the much amented Rev. J. C. Andrews, been Idivided between some five beneficaries under his will, as a circumstance in connection with this, ' a road" is being formed connecting t e Langdale-Tiuni road via the lea homestead along the river flats*to;a point known as the Eeef, a mile or so below the old Shipping shed site and on the opposite side to it. In short, this read gives immediate access to the deep waters of the estuary, and is in many aspects preferable to the one on the Kohiwai side of the river, being to all intents and purposes .practically level as against ascertain amount of hill on the Kohiwai line. While the distance would certainly greater. Now cpmes the crux of the question. It will- be remembered that the estimate for the Kohiwai connection (Government valuation) was about £3uG, added to which would be the cost of purchasing, five acres for a reserve at, say-, £ls per acre, £75 plus cost of fencing, legal charges, etc., which would run into about £450. As an alternative I would suggest the present occupiers of that portion of lea through which the road is constructed should be appioached. Negotiations be entered into for the purchase of a portion, say, five ares, for a public reserve abutting on on the river near the Reef. The road is under construction so that disposes of any cost under that head. The land for a reserve would have to be purchased and fenced, which would entail a quotable expenditure of £75, fencing, etc., another £7s—a total of £l5O, as against £450 under the original proposal. Of course, this has nothing to Ido with the acquisition of the Native Reserve at the mouth of the river, but it womd certainly open up communication with the fishing grounds, and the beautiful navigable reaches of the estuary. This is the first link in the chain, the purchase of the Reserve would eventually follow. Perhaps if our represent- j ative, the Hon. A. W. Hogg, was approached, and this aspect of the case placed before him something tangible might eventuate, which would be a benefit to Masterton and thegadjacent district—l am, etc., PROGRESS.

To the Editor. Sir, —In connection with Mr R. McNab's visit to Maatertun, I would like to ask l Mr McNab a few questions through of your valuable paper. Mr McNab proposes to train the men of this Dominion so as to be able to repel any possible invasion. Now, white I am, from a point of sentiment, as patriotic as any individual in Masterton, thers are aspects of the case which puzzle

me. Now this proposal no doubt means an increased expenditure, and with our already depleted Treasury and the fierce call for retrenchment, where does he propose to get the money from? Then, again, if he proposes to extract it from the rich, or the landowners, how is he going to prevent the tax from being passed on to the working man in the shape of extra rent and an increase in the price of those necessaries of life which are the product of the taxed land? And yet again, how does he propose to compensate the man (struggling in business for instance) who parts with his sons —who may be the mainstay of his business-in order that the large holdings of some rich bachelor may be protected from a possible invasion of brown or yellow men. How is the rich and childless man to be brought on deck so as to bs equally affected by compulsory training?—l am, etc., TINO KAHA.