CORRESPONDENCE. THE NAVIGATION OF THE WAIPA.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1497, 7 February 1882, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE. THE NAVIGATION OF THE WAIPA.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I see in your issue of 26th January, you draw attention to a very important public work, viz., that of clearing a channel in the Waipa river from snags and other obstructions. Unless this be done now, during the immediately ensuing dry season, all industries of this district will be still longer retarded. Nor should it be overlooked, the friendliness of the natives, whose settlements are on the banks of this river. They have always been large producers of grain and other produce, in spite of frequent discouragement in the shape of impeded navigation, with its intermittent delays, closing an otherwise profitable market to them j together with the opening up of roads whose outlets communicate with this river, and the prospect in the near future of the native lauds being opened to European settlement. In a few months a bridge will be erected across this river beyond Alexandra, at the especial request of the natives. This is the beginning of road-making in the king country, and the necessity is consequently emphasized for immediately opening a navigable channel for the short distance which is at present the disconnection of an otherwise serviceable route. The settlers of the district are large producers, and increasingly so, at present limited only by their facilities of reaching a market. In the same article you draw attention to the limestone development going on within a short distance of this river, having for its principal object the supply of lime for agricultural uses throughout the district— -by its only possible channel, water carriage — and with a project in hand, waiting only the fruition of this work tor more active steps to be taken for the quarrying of stone for building and road -making purposes. These reasons more than justify the Executive in authorizing a work which can be successfully achieved at so small a cost. — I am, &c, Waipa.