THE MOTU DISTRICT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVX, Issue 3130, 17 May 1897, Page 4

THE MOTU DISTRICT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —In your issue of Thursday, May 13th, a letter appears from a Motu settler, pointing out the drawbacks of settlers in that district owing to the absence of ordinary means of communication with Gisborne, the market town. X do not know Mr McLean, but I am well acquainted with the district to which he refers, and can substantiate all he states. The whole district to the west and north-west of Gisborne is a rich one, and is only awaiting the construction of suitable roads to become a place of great importance. Where settlement has made a little advance, one is surprised to see how well fruit trees and all kinds of garden produce flourish. I was at the Motu township in January last, and everything was growing as in early spring, whilst there was hardly a vestige of grass in the immediate vicinity of Gisborne. Had communication been possible, Gisborne could then have been supplied with fruit, potatoes and all kinds of garden vegetables from the Motu, and I am convinced that in the course of a few years the district will bo able to supply early potatoes, peas and other garden produce to the southern towns of the colony. The country is fertile, it is romantic, and although there are no traces of auriferous rooks, there are immense quantities of ironstone to the north of Lake Waifcaremoana. It may be that other minerals will be discovered along the line of the proposed railway route. Mr Mackay, late Assistant Geologist, has traversed the country from the northern shores of the lake named to Galatea, and he will be able to state what the prospects are. In any case lam one of those who think that Gisborne people have not asserted themselves sufficiently, for certainly no district has received less help from the State, whilst there are lands awaiting settlement equal to any in the colony. A railway will be of immense benefit, but proper communication is wanted with the interior, and Mr McLean and others like him may justly complain unless something is done to encourage them and help them out of their difficulties. —X am, &0., H. Hun. Napier.