THE WAIHENGA FERRY.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 29, 22 July 1867, Page 3

THE WAIHENGA FERRY.

(To the Editor of the Waikaeapa Mercury.) Waihenga, July 19, ISS7.

Sir, —Having seen in your valuable paper a letter signed Visitor complaining of the dilapidated condition of the canoe, used in ferrying passengers across, and the state of the banks of the said ferry I would beg to reply that I am quite capable of carrying three men in the canoe, and swimming three horses at the same time, without wetting the passengers to the ankles. There are three boxes placed in the canoe to sit on if required, and if Visitor was looking to his horses rather than attending to the. comfort of hia wife, so much the better for the kid boot makers. As for his scrambling out, it was more for fear of breaking his horses gear. If Visitor had kept his seat until the man in charge of the canoe had directed him otherwise, there would have been no scrambling, and,, as for paying the fare like a grumbling Englishman, I would beg to remind him that it was . not the ferryman who fixed the amount but the majority of the settlers in the valley fixed their own prices, and Visitor' must be w r ell aware that there are certain ’ gentlemen when travelling, such as Doctors of divinity r and M.D.’s, who when travelling for the benefit of the Maories, are ferried across without charge. As for the accident, it was through no fault of the canoe, but as Visitor, is aware that accidents will sometimes happen in spite of every precaution, so it did in that instance. Sot but what I believe that a punt is required, and would be of great service, but w:hen asking for a punt, I would ask him not to aim a blow at the canoe-man until he is able to manage one better himself. Tour's &c,, FAIR BALAMOS.