WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5299, 5 February 1879, Page 3

WAIROA.

(prom our own correspondent.) January 31. Owing to the long continued blockade of the river, trade has been terribly dull, and therefore I find some considerable . difficulty in collecting materials, for a letter, still there is always something to write about. Of course, now that the elections are coming on, the harbor question, is being freely discussed and dilated upon; the merits and demerits of the district are considered, and every circumstance for or against W being duly weighed, and the balance is discovered to be in our favor and against the Government. That an improved.river entrance would largely increase the value of the Grown lands in the Wairoa County, is not to be doubted, therefore we naturally look to the Government to aid us, promote the settlement of the; country, and increase their own revenue at one and the same time: Harbor works of an elaborate nature have lately been commenced at different places with varying results, and at a very moderate -cost too. Patea and Whanganui both have harbor works, and Hokitikahas.just commenced a double tramway pile -jetty for the purpose of confining the. water, at a cost of £30,000, and yet people are to be found who will persist in saying that £100,000 would not confine the waters of the Wairoa to one spot, say 300 feet wide, which would be sufficient in ordinary weather to secure ten, eleven, r^ or perhaps twelve feet of water on the jpbar. ) The Harbor Board elections take place on the 10th inst., and already there are two candidates in the field, Mr G. B. Flint and O. Anderson, than whom, perUaps, it would be hard to find two persona more interested in the matter. Messrs Burton and J, P. Hamlin are also spoken of, who would be a guarantee to the ratepayers that no stone would be left unturned . to secure parliamentary assistance. The board will have little work , to do for the first year; but persistently to badger the Government until they recognise our claims. The school committee elections are over, after creating an intense amount of excitement. Rev. W. Lambert, H. J. Williams; W. F. Shaw, T. Parker, F. Taylor, GVB. Flint, and G. Mayo Were elected to form the committee ; Mr Williams being re-elected chairman. The valuation of the whole county this year amounts to £20,300, being a large increase on that of last year.