THE MOTU BUSH.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 73, 29 March 1901, Page 3

THE MOTU BUSH.

(To the Editor of the Times). Sir, —The immense amount of material wealth which is waiting to bo developed in the above property should suffice to arrest the attention of everyone who is at all interested in the opening up of our local resources. Such being the case, I apprehend that no apology is due to you for my thus addressing you, and through you the general public of this district. I am not aware to what extent the Government may have alienated this wealth by the granting of perpetual leases of this large area of valuable timber. I have just recently met with one settler who has a lease of 1000 acres. In the face of such a report as that of slr Prouse’s, he intends at first to clear 100 acres. That will, of course, require the destruction of much valuable timber. Then, in his future course, he will be guided by the considerations as to when the facilities will be afforded by Government or private enterprise to enable him to have a good sale for the timber pn the adjoining nine hundred acres. ' I hear that a woollen factory and jam factory have each been mooted for this district: both very desirable in helping to devclope our material resources, and giving profitable employment to both men, women, and children. But, sir, it appears to me that if a syndicate were formed, either to open good roads or light railroads, having first obtained from Government grants of timber lands or financial aid as the case might be, in order to develop speedily this valuable local asset, that the speedy growth of our township and district would be enhanced far more rapidly than establishing factories, useful as they would certainly be. Mr Smith, M.H.R., is going to London to obtain aid to develope the resources of our West Coast ironsand. Are there not wealthy individuals iu our own colony who could bo interested in utilising this East Coast immensely valuable asset, and save its wasteful destruction by fire ? —I am, etc., J. Peckover.