TELEGRAMS. MOKAU DEVELOPMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 84, 10 April 1911, Page 3

TELEGRAMS. MOKAU DEVELOPMENT.

' WHO WILL BENEFIT BY THE TRADE ? AUCKLAND 0P v WELLINGTON? [BT. TEIEGHAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] AUCKLAND, This Day. The acquisition of the Mokau-Mohaka-tino Block by a syndicate with a reported capital of £100,000; wno intend to take immediate steps to have the land developed, has drawn attention to the great possibilities of trade openings on that part of the West Coast. The block acquired contains about 50.000 acres. A great part of this area is said to be rich in coal, and limestone is also found on a considerable portion of the land. Apart from the mineral wealth of the land, it will be capable of carrying a large population. It is understood that it is the intention of the syndicate to go in for an extensive scheme of snagging and blasting rocks in the Mokau Stiver as far as Tototo, in order to make it suitable for navigation. The block has a frontage to the river of twenty-three miles. The river is suitable for light-draught steamers for many miles further, and will, it is expected, serve as a very cheap means of transit for the. carriage of supplies and produce. The Te Kuiti correspondent of the Herald, in discussing the .trade prospects of Mokau, says : — Mokau has very little trade at present, but the development of this block and the improvement of the Mokau waterway will open 'up a big trade. The- problem is what way is that trade to go, and to what extent will it affect the trade via the Main Trunk and Auckland'/ Some think that the trade will either be centred at New Plymouth or go to Wellington, and that Auckland must go to the wall in the matter. For some considerable time there has been dissatisfaction regarding the West Coast Shipping service from Auckland, and, taking advantage of this, Mr. J. G. Jonathon hafl been preaching the doctrine of a connection with Wellington. He. is beginning to have a number of followers, but there are many who still have confidence in Auckland. Nevertheless, they recognise that to maintain the trads of the great area of country between the Mokau Heads and the Eaglan Harbour it will be necessary to carry the Waitemata Canal * proposal into effect. The country referred to naturally has its community of interests with Auckland. 4 well-known farmer, in conversation a few days ago, said that undoubtedly at present the feeling is in favour of Auckland, but, he continued, the proposal to develop the Mokau waterway is finding much favour among the settlers.