THE WAIKATO RIVER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 123, 25 May 1923, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE WAIKATO RIVER.

A NEGLECTED WATERWAY. NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT.-. If the Waikato River wa» in any other part of the world than New Zealand, its true value probably would he realised, and it would be a busier thoroughfare than it is today, instead of being used by -only a few cargo and pleasure vessels it would ho a popular trade route, while the beautiful stretches would bo thronged with pleasure craft, of every description. Why this neglect to use such a magnificent waterway? Tlie obvious answer that anyone, would give who is conversant, with rivers elsewhere is that the possibilities of the Waikato River are not properly realised. Years ago, before railway and road construction had reached the extent it has to-day, the Waikato Steam Navigation Company ran a number of vessels up the Waikato River, and its adjacent sister river, the Waipa. There was a great trade done on the Waikato as far as Cambridge, while on the Waipa a regular service carried a large amount of cargo and numbers of passengers to Pirongia. The advent of roads and railways, however, practically killed the trallic. At this juncture ' Mr. George Parr. Cue then chairman of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, and who had just been elected a member of the Auekhroach, and commenced to agitate for a better appreciation of the possibilities of the Waikato River. Mr. Parr is a man of keen foresisht, and ho realised that what should be a groat national traflie

route was being absolutely wasted. He seized every opportunity of talking Waikato River and writing out what could he done with it under proper organisation. He persisted in his campaign for a revival of river trade, and his efforts met with a measure of success, the Waikato Shipping Co., Ltd., being formed some seven years ago. The company had a subscribed capital of ..40.000. with 730 shareholders in the Waikato, Kaglan and Kawhia districts. In addition to seven cargo steamers, live launches and twelve barges, it owned the large excursion steamer Mann wai, which formerly ran on tho Wanganui River. This fine steamer, which has accommodation for 400 passengers, has proved highly popular with Waikato residents and visitors. Popular excursions are run auring the season from Hamilton to Cambridge, Ngaruawahia, and Mercer, while short moonlight, trips are always well patronised. The fact that dancing can be indulged in on its spacious upper deck has added to tbe popularity of the vesselA short while ago the interests of the Waikato Shipping Co. were taken over by the Roo.-e Shipping Co-, whioh intends still further developing the river trade. Satisfactory arrangements have been made for a cargo steamer to leave Onehunga at intervals for Waikato Heads, where cargo will be transhipped to Mercer. Hamilton and Cambridge. Shippers find this route less expensive than the railway, and an increasingly large number are availing themselves of it, more especially for the carriage of benzine and similar dangerous goods. The transhipment of cargo at the Heads, however, results in certain delay, and those who arc endeavouring fo develop tho resources of the river to it; fullest possible extent confidently anticipate that tho time is not far distant when shallow draught ve-scls will be built that will be able to enter the Heads, and cargo will then be able, to be | carried from Onehunga or southern and Australian ports direct to Hamilton and I Cambridge without transhipment.