THE HAMILTON FERRY.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 778, 12 June 1877, Page 3

THE HAMILTON FERRY.

Sir, — Late statements ,re Hamilton Ferry, place matters m an entirely different light to that heretofore generally understood, at least on this side of the water. It is rather too much of a joke, putting forth thafc the Ferry was tstabJished by, erected, worked, and -kept m repair by the Hamilton West Township Highway Board, &c.; It would certainly be a great hardship if the above were anywhere near the truth. It is well known that it was established and erected by Government, and banded ovtr to the Board, and I believe several times since, when any heavy repairs were required, or a .new rope wanted, the same kind parent did the work, or furnished the needful. Worked, it certainly was, by the Board, and, to some purpose. As to the keeping m repair, the less said about it the better. At the present time, the wharves and staging are positively dangerous, approaches disgraceful, facilities for crossing stock m the chape of yards none. This is nothing new ; it has been troubled very much with little or no intermission with the same complaint for years. The prevailing opinion, so far as I have had means of ascertaining, is, that the revenue derived would have been more than ample to have kept everything m connection with the Ferry m thorough repair, and leave something handsome on hand to the credit of the Punt Fund, if not diverted into other channel?. If the Beard would kindly publish an account of receipt and expenditure (amount expended oa the Eafct side of the rivet on approaches beyond the wharf and Btag» ing, if com enient,-in a separato item) it wouW, doubtless, prove interesting, and sympathy might be increased by thereby ascertaining the exact amount they are out of .pock «;t. With regard to letnarks about the Hamilton East Town Board, they never had the opportunity of refusing to have anything to do with the Ferry. This will, m some me -sure, account fcr their want of enterprise; on the contrary, they have repeatedly made application f • r nn equal share m the management. Taking into consideration that residents on the east side contribute more than t\vo-l birds of that commodity which enables the F< rryman to pay iha r*nt. We did not think ib was asking too much, if this money accruing La«l been devoted eo'ety to ieirj purposes, as it certainly should have been, with a one sided management, aud a two-sided e«arce of revenue. It would have mattered little. Our great grievance on this side bus been contributing co much and getting so little by way of r?purs to afford safe and convenient means of crossing. It it can be shown that the revenue has been expended m this way (last month's rent, which they manned to get temporary hold of, m a questionable w»y, being, 1 am informed, absorbed beforehand) they' certainly succeeded m making a great deal of money go a very little way. I express no opinion on th* advisability, or otherwise, of the recommendation m your article,— l am, &c, W#- Ccmmikg.