CHEAP FREIGHT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 849, 18 August 1881, Page 2

CHEAP FREIGHT.

(To the Editor of the Daily,) J several of your correspondents have touched upot) oheap freight from Wellington to Castjepomt. I would like to ask, Does it rest with (1)8 steamers only ? Th'ey are about to do their part, let the settlers do theirs, There are some who will ask what is their part; inv answer is, to have (he most direct line open from Castlepoint to Tenui, which is the roatj li)id off by Mr Biird, and known as "Baird's Line," and judging from a conversation! lnjd \yith Mr W. Johnston some three years ijgo, I do not'believe ho ivould throw any obstacles in tho way. It would savo one and, a-half miles from Tenui'.to Castlepoint, thereby removing the - bugbear of the carters—the beach and the Whakataki river-bed, and give'them a chance to reduce: their charges, If the settlers are in earnest for cheap freight, I would suggest that at the coding fll,e,ptjon fqr flip Highway Board they should only rptijrn members who will pledge themselves to have the roads pushed on as quickly as possible. Would it not be wiaost to have the cheapest and ahorteat .road open by venturing to raise (as would have to be done) three or four, thousand pounds by issuing debentures. To metal and bridge the road frog} Tenui to the Kautningi Bridge could not' be done so cheaply as by Castlepoint, ". •.. <

The price of lading.for large cases,' tanks, drays, &0., no 'doubt will be reduced, as I beljev.e the lessee of the lading service is quite willing to do his part, If the settlers open Baird's Line they will buvo 20 or 25 per cent; on freight, or- by favoring tho Mungapakeha Road'drive the carters off the Castlepoint line, and be rase off than they are at present. I am, &c,, . East Coast.