MR RITCHIE’S PROTEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 55, 6 March 1901, Page 4

MR RITCHIE’S PROTEST.

In a letter from the Motu, Mr A. T. Ritchie states “In addition to milling timber, there iS an inexhaustible supply of first-class firewood, which could be loaded on the trucks at 10s per cord. Estimating a truck to carry three cords, the cost of freight at 20s per truck, the price would be —three cords wood 30s, freight 20s, total 50s, or 17s per cord. Allowing 3s for delivery in town, we have 20s per cord as against present price of 25s or 30s —surely a consideration to every householder. Mr Ross very thoughtfully suggested at the meeting of the Liberal Association, that care should be taken in their movement to obtain a line of railway not to interfere with the interests of settlers in clearing their land for stock. With a Government guarantee, the settlers who have their own interests at heart would further the progress of the work to the utmost of their ability. As to the dairying industry it is, considering the disadvantages the district has to contend with, very much alive. Butter and cheese is being made largely here. Mrs Beaufoy has successfully placed butter on the English market. A dray road is in course of construction as far as the waterfalls on Neill’s road, and the settlers contemplate the erection of a dairy factory in the immediate future. Altogether, a district which eight years ago had'no settlers, and even now has no dray road, has forced itself unaided into a position of permanent prosperity. What may we not look for if the Government help and outside encouragement is given us ? Unless the people of Poverty Bay arc prepared to be ridiculed by the rest of the colony, they will not submit any longer to the dawdling way in which the line to Ormond is being made, but will have tho work carried 'out at a reasonable speed, which is not the case at present; and then decide on extending the line, and not be content with a paltry £12,000 as their share of expenditure on railways per annum.”