COUNTRY NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 202, 27 August 1896, Page 3

COUNTRY NEWS.

PROPOSED PUNT AT MERCER.

Considerable interest is being taken in the effort* now being made fco open up the country on the western aide of the Waikato by a punt on the river at Mercer. A petition has been presented to Parliament) by the residents of Mercer and the settlers ofPukekawa and Glonmurray asking the Government to assist them. It w no far satisfactory to soe that ifc has bean referred to the favourable consideration of the Government. It ia to be hoped that the Government) will see fit to grant the prayer of the petitioners, as it will nob only be a great convenience to those already eettled on the land in those districts, bub will also considerably enhance the value of the block purchased by the Government from the natives, and afford a comparatively good outlet to road and rail fco those who will afi no diatanb date be settled on that block. Many people in surrounding dwtrieta are anxiously waiting the opening ot thifl block for settlement, and if access thereto was effected by punt ab thia place, it would be eafo bo predict that very few sections would remain on the handa ot the Government. There are several places on the river here, with a splendid current and deep water on both sides, so thafr bhe punt would be self-acting. There is also a surveyed road from the river bank opposite Mercer to the Opuatia, said /oad traverehg the Government block of 8,000 acres. A road braverses through level country and is ab present! in good order, *«*•#»" County Council having from time to time spent considerable gams of money on it.— (Own Correspondent.)