AN OLD OTAGOITE IN THE NORTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 25

AN OLD OTAGOITE IN THE NORTH.

MR WALTER ROBSON, FORMERLY OF

THEi CLUTHA DISTRICT.

A correspondent in the north sends us tho following clipping from the Wairoa Guardian, Hawke's Bay. which he thinks will interest many friends of Mr Robson in Otago: —

— Progressive Wairoa : Opening Up tho District.—

Yesterday Mr Walter Rob-son, who recently disposed of his Waivoa property, AVaihi, to Mr G. He-slop, of Mohaka, leffc by the Napier coach for his residence, Moanariui, Whitford, Auckland, and in his final interview with a representative of the Guardian he remarke-d what a difference there was in the Wairoa County at the present time and when he -first setdr.l at Waihi. 15 years ago.

In those days there w? only a pack track from Frasertown to "Waikaremoana, aaict everything for s-ettlers on tho road had to be packed. This did not suit the progressive settlers in the Waikaremoana Valley, and in order to overcome Iho situation a. special loan of £6000 was raised, which was carried by six lotes, in order to push matters ahead, and a first start was made to open the roads in the district. Th» settlers who were the means of bringing the loan, to a successful is^u© were Messrs H. and D. E. O'Neill. B. and F. Lambert, tho late W. Elliott, Walter Robson. and Tunks and Worthington. Mr F. Parker also materially assisted by canvassing for votes. Oufc of the loan a portion of the Nuhaka road was improved, the Wairoa-Frasertown road, which was almost impassable in winter, was metalled. and the Frascrtown-Wail-are-moana road formed.

Later on Mr Rob?on drew v,--, a petition to the Government with a view of opening-

an Waikaremoana

With the object of carrying ti'.'s out .<. deputation consisting of Messrs John Couper. the late T. Carroll, and Walter Robson went to Wellington and_ interviewed the Hon. Mr Seddon (then Minister of Public Works), (he late Sir John M'Kenzie (Minister of Lands) and laid, before- thc-o the necessity of opening up Waikaremosria as a tourist- report and constructing a >-oad through t<y Galatea as a stock track, •as to connect the East Coast with the- Auck- . land markers. As a result of the visit a, grant was made with a promise of further money, and the lat-u 15ir John M'Kenzie (then Hon. Mr M'Kenzie) promised to visifc the district and ascertain its capabilities. This was the first occasion on which tlie lake as a scenic resort was brought before the notice of the Government, ond from the efforts of that deputation thft county owes tho present results in regard to opening up the lake and making know a the capabilities of the district. Now thcr© is a good road, a five-horse coach to the* lake twice weekly, and at which resorb there is a splendid accommodation house. Everywhere the district is improving, and! the. land carrying 1 more stock.

In his rambles round the colony Mr Robson has not seen any district with the advantages that Wairoa offers for the future, anrLJie is sorry to sever his connection withi it. tie knows New Zealand thoroughly frorm the Bluff to the -north of Auckland, and there is cheaper land to be obtained hero than in -any part of the colony.

Mr Rob>~on, in wishing good-bye to his numerous friends in all parts of the county, desires to express the deepest concern for their continued prosperity, and we are sure they will reciprocate the kindly interest he takes in their future.