OPENING OF THE NAVIGATION OF THE UPPER THAMES. CELEBRATION AT MATAMATA. (By Our Special Reporter.)

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1203, 13 March 1880, Page 2

OPENING OF THE NAVIGATION OF THE UPPER THAMES. CELEBRATION AT MATAMATA. (By Our Special Reporter.)

For a number of years paafc— not continuously, on account of the great opposition which he has had td encounter—* Mr J. 0. Firth the public spirited proprietor of the Matamata estate has been engaged in the good work of opening up to the use of civilised modes of navigation one of the finest and prettiest of our New Zealand rivers. Not many year! ago the Waihou, or, as it was known, the Thames river could be navigated only by means of caaoes, and even this means of transport was attended with some degree of danger on account of the numerous snags and rapids which at that period abounded in the river. These serious obstructions which have existed from time immemorial, and which might so far as the original owners of the soil were concerned have remained for centuries yet to come, have by the determination of one man been so far surmounted that to-day a steamer some 80ft. long, with a beam of 20ft., carrying from 30 to 40 tons cargo can be taken up and down with the greatest ease. It was to commemorate the successful issue of these efforts that Mr Firth invited a number of the more prominent citizens and settlers of Auckland the Thames and Waikato to an entertainment at Stanley, (the station and landing place > at the head of the navigation of the river. Very complete arrangements had been made by Mr Firth for transporting his guests and for their accommodation while there, and accordingly on Wednesday the visitors from the Thames and Auckland proceeded from Auckland to Hamilton by rail thence journeying to Cambridge by special coaches in charge of Mr W. K. Carter. The following gentlemen were among the party : — I he Hon. John Hall and F. Whitaker, Messrs. T. Peacock (Mayor of Auckland), Ehrenfried (Mayor of the Thames), Brodie (Chairmain of the Thames County Council), D. L. Murdoch, Thomas Morrin, J. Cosgrave, W. Aitken, T. Macffarlane, S. Patterson, S. J. Edmonds, Adam Porter, the Rev. J. Robertson and the Hon. James Williamson. The party in the absence of Mr Firth, who had proceeded to Matamata, on Tuesday, were under the ■ care of Mr. Macffarlane, to whom great credit is due for the admirable manner in which all the arrangements en route were carried out. The weather looked anything but promisiug on Wednesday, and towards evening the thick rain which fell, presaged a very unpleasant jnuruey. Next morning, however, at seven o'clock, despite the lowring appearance of the sky a start was made. The party which was here augmented by several local gentlemen, including Messrs E. Maclean, E, Walker, J. Sheehan, J. B. Whyte, M,H.R., W. L. C. Williams, R. Kirkwood, W. L. Martyn, W. H. Grace, Captain Steele and others, were conveyed in two coaches and several buggiei. while many rode. Before Gorton was reached, the rain descended thickly, and the remainder of the journey — nearly 31)3 1 ) miles — was performed in a perfect downpour. The heavy rain clouds completely obscured the landscape, which for the greater part of the way is really grand, and many of those who were strangers to the district were sadly disappointed. Wone than j this, the roads were in a truly wretched condition, and it was only by dint of great care that, in descending some of the numerous side cuttings, accidents were averted. After reaching Mr Firth's property, the road for the remainder of the journey was comparatively level, and all danger being past the party had leisure, j under very disadvantageous conditions it is true, to notice the great improvements which been effected on the estate. Stanley was reached at a little after noon and the visitors were heartily welcomed by Mr Firth, who had despaired of seeing them in such weather. While luncheon was being prepared in the large iron grain shed at the landing, an adjournment was | made to the bank of the river to witness I the operations connected with removing the snags. Besides the European visitors a large number of Maoris were present, i and took the greatest interest in the proceedings. The snags selected were situated a little above the landing place. A boat was sent to the spot aud a charge of dynamite placed against the obstruction ; the fuse was lighted and the retreat of the operators was followed in a short space by a terrific explosion which shook the river banks. The snag was blown violently out of the water, one large piece being projected at least 150 feet high. The column of water thrown up was singularly beautiful in form, and as it hung for a few moments in suspense, afforded a fine spectacle to the visitors. The operation was repeated with a similar degree of success, a, move was then made in the direction of the luncheon room. Tables were prqvided to accommodate about a hundred guests, and nearly that number, including many influential native Chiefs, sat down to a repast laid out under the supervision of Mr Rikys, steward of Mr Firth's steamer Kotukotu, who must be complimented on the real excellence of the entertainment. The clmir was taken by Mr Firth, having on his rijyht hand the Premier (fyc Ijon. J. Hall), and on his left tho

Hon. the Attorney-General, and supported by the Mayors of Auckland and the Thames. The oloth having been removed, the usual loyal toasts were proposed by the Chairman and duly honored. The Hon. John Hall then rone to propose the toast of " Success to the Thames Navigation." He said he felt it to be a great privilego to be pre ent on that occasion, and a greater privilego to be called upon to propose such a toast. They would all feel grateful to their worthy host for the pains he had taken to provide for their comfort, and for the treat which, though unfortunately marred to a considerable extent by the weather, he had provided for their gratification ; but he i felt a gratitude which they could not feel towards one who had shoWD him a part of the colony which surpassed in various ways anything he had supposed to have existed in this island. He felt grateful as a private individual, and also as a Minister of the Crown. During the two previous days he had felt great pleasure l in inspecting the fine country through which be had travelled, the natural advantages of whioh would enable it to maintain a large population. It was gratifying to him not only to find a country rich in natural resource?, but to find a class of settlers energetic and persevering engaged in improving the country. The farther from Auckland the greater were the improvements; and he only hoped that others as well as himself would witness the result of the enterprising labors of Mr Firth and hia neighbors. It was a fitting conclusion to their trip that they should see there at Matamata the evidences of the most extended enterprise. Mr Firth had suffered under the want of a market for years, and most men in similar circumstances would have applied to the Government for assistance. But Mr Firth had not dealt with his difficulties in that spirit. He had said to himself, " Here is a great barrier shutting out a fine portion of the Colony from its market. I will unlock this gate." They were better acquainted than he was with the great qualities which had enabled Mr Firth to bring this work to a successful issue. They had heard of the policy of " Self Reliance" in native afiairs, and he believed different opinions existed with regard to it, but there they had a specimen self reliance about which there was not likely to be any diversity of opinion. He wished to see more of this spirit infused into the people of the Colony, because the state of the country's finances would soon demand this. He would not pay so bad a compliment to his kind host as to enter on the subject of politics, but this he would say, that the finances of the Colony were in a very critical state. As they were aware, the present Governnment had found on coming into office that nearly half the £5,000,000 loan had been spent; the other half was now pledged, and they could get no more for three years. Their expenditure for years had exceeded their income, and retrenchment would now have to be resorted to. If they were to look to the Government to construot public works, the works would would have to be of a smaller kind thaa hitherto. He would not dwell upon what must be a chilling topic, but would bring his remarks to a close by thanking their kind host on his own and on their behalf for the kindness he had shown them. He had much pleasure in asking them to fill their glasses to drink "Success to the Thames Navigation," coupling with the toast the name of Mr J. C. Jb'irth (Loud cheering). The toast was enthusiastically drank with musical honors and three times three. Mr Firth, in responding, thanked Mr Hall and the visitors heartily for the handome manner in which they had responded to the toast just proposed. He had to thank them most of all for disregarding the discomforts which they must have known beforehand were inseparable from a trip in such weather as they had experienced, to come to take part in a ceremony which to him was of the deepest interest. There was an old saying 1 " Let not him boast who putteth on his harness, but rather let him boast who, having conquered, ta^eth it off." He did not b lieve in doing anything m a boasting way ; he was simply satisfied that the work was done. It had certainly not been unattended wtth difficulty. His friends, the natives, had not thoroughly understood the great advantages which would result from freeing the river from obstructions, and did not co-operate with him. After a good deal of talk— Korero — the native difficulty was renewed. If they would permit him he would relate a little incident in connection with these Koreros which would throw some ligmron the nature of the difficulties with whioh he had had to contend. Sometime after the operations were commenced the second time, some chiefs sent to him to tell him to take his boats and steamers off the river. He arranged to meet fhem at Omahu, and thither a few days after he went accompanied by one or two friends. One of the chiefs named Tutukai, said to him after some conversation, " You pakehas ate always wanting some new thing, unly the other day the Magistrate from the Thames said ' give us the road,' and now you say ' give us the river.' By and by the Maoris will not have a strip of land to walk on, or a river on which to sail a canoe. Ido not like your new ways The snags were in the river wheu I was a boy, when my father was a boy , when my grandfather was a boy, and whnn all my ancestors were children. You shall not take them away ; I will have none of your ways ; I hate them ! "—The chief then paused for a moment, and he (Mr Firth) said to him, observing that he wore a colored shawl of European make, "What are you wearing round your loins P" The chief answered that it was a pakeha shawl. He then said, " Did you wear a shawl like that when you were a boy?" "No." Did your ancestors wear them." "No." He then addressed him thus, " That is a pakeha thing, and you do not like pakeha things ; take it off and throw it into the river." The chief had nothing further to say. He only mentioned this to show them one kind of difficulty whioh he had had to encounter. As to the other difficulties, such as snags and rapids, few of that company had the fortune to know much about them. He was pleased to be enabled to say that most of these obstructions had been removed. That he might in the fewest possible words convey to them information as to what had been done lie would read the report he had prepared for the Minister of Public Works, which was as follows : — Sir, — I have the honour to report for your information, that the Upper Thames River, from the Ohinemuri Junction to Pakopako, now called Stanley, a distance of about 70 miles by the river, was, before the commenement of snagging and blasting operations, only available for canoes, the river being filled with logs and rocks. 1. Seven years ago snagging operations were commenced, and the worst obstructions removed between Ohinemuri and Omahu. Further operations were abandoned owing to ff^eat excitement amongst the river natives, arising from the murder of Sullivan, in the Waikato district. 2. Two years ago operations were re-com-menced. A steam launch and punt were built for the purpose. The work was proceeding when the river natives insisted on the stoppage of operations. Negotiations with the natives, though somewhat difficult and costly, were, at length, successful, and their objections tq clearing the rivpr south Q.f Qmalju were finally remqved. A stoam launch was purchased, and two more punts were built. 3. Subsequently a third iron steamer was built, of light draught and great power, fitted with a steam winch and various mechanical appliances. The operations have been continued to the present time. Large qn.intities of d) namite have been used with \ery good results. Groins, to narrow the strc.im and deepen the channel at certain points, h.ivo been built ; innumerable .snags haw boon removed, one of the largest bnng 120 feet lony and 5 fget diameter at the

butt ; shallows have been dredged, and many impassable rapid* and falls (formed by masses of conglomerated rocks) have been removed by dynamite. 4. The operations have been so far sneccssful that all serious impediments from Omahu to Stanley, a distance of about 45 miles, have been cleared, and the river rendered navigable for steamers drawing not more than three feet. The steamer Kotuku, 82 feet long and 20 feet beam, now running on the river, carries, on a three feet draught, 35 tons of cargo during six months in summer, and 50 tons during the remaining six months of the year. 5. There still remain some obstructions between Omahu and the Ohinemuri Junction, which, as soon as the Maori opposition is removed, will be cleared. 6. The total cost to Ist January last, of all labour, material, and appliances, amounts to the sum of £7442 4s sd. 7. The result of the operations is that the clearing of the navigation of this beautiful river has opened a very large area of valuable lands, owned by Government and private individuals for advantageous settlement, and provided a cheap means of transit for agricultural and other produce, without transhipment from Stanley, the head of the navigation, to the port of Auckland. That report gave a very short account of the difficulties attending the enterprise, and some of the advantages which might be derived from it. As a matter of course it was quite unnecessary to speak of the probable advantages which the district as a wbole would receive. If the result was good he would be glad ; if otherwise, the least said about it the better. He could not, however, be but pleased that so far the affair had been a success, and he might very well leave the rest to time, drawing from it this lesson : that a difficulty must be facd ; it must never be avoided, and must sever be run from in a cowardly manner. Difficulties when bravely met were half conquered. Difficulty was the thing to stimulate a man to exertion, and the greater the difficulty the greater the energy which should be used. It was a fact well authenticated by all histories that people who lived in oountries surrounded with difficulties were always free men, while the people of countries where there were no difficulties were often of the material of which slaves were made. (Applause). He again thanked them very muoh for the manner in which they had received the toast. (Cheers). At the invitation of Mr Firth, the visitors shortly afterwards went on board the Kotuku, and proceeded down the river to witness the operation of deepening a shallow by means of dynamite. About 60 lbs. of the explosive was laid on a wooden frame about six feet long by three feet broad, and placed on the bottom at the shallow place. The fuse having been ignited ; the effect was grand in the extreme. A vast column of water some 300 feet high shot up and descended slowly, the showers of spray continuing for some minutee. Three cheers were given for Mr Firth and the party returned to land. It now being nearly 5 o'clock a start was made for the home station, at Matamata, some ten miles distant, and at sunset we arrived at our destination. Here a sumptuous meal had been prepared and none lacked in doing it justice. Shortly afterwards the majority of the guest* adjourned to the school-house, and a couple of hours were devoted to music and social talk, after which they all retired to their well earned rest. On Friday morning everyone was up by daylight, and after breakfasting and wishing our kind host goodbye, we started for the Waikato, everyone being thoroughly delighted with what he haa seen at Matamata. A fine day added to the pleasure of the guests, mo-*t of the Auckiand portion of whom left for the North by the mid-day train yesterdap The Hons. Hall and Whitaker returned via the Waitoa and Piako Swamp, reaching Hamilton last night.