THE WAIAU.

Southland Times, Issue 1986, 21 September 1874, Page 3

THE WAIAU.

(to the editob op the times.) SIB, — I see by a paragraph in the Weekly News of sth September, that one of their correspondents claims to have discovered a large tract of agricultural and pastoral land on the west side of the Waiau, on a different watershed from the one mown at present, and urges the immediate construction of a railway and bridges. I mu3t say I think this is rather premature, considering that the said fine country is only known to himself. I hope it will not turn out like the moa story. He a'so speaks of 150 miles of water carriage, for the floatage of timber down the river. The idea is absurd, chiefly for two reasons : one that the prevailing timber is white birch, the other that the river is far too rapid for such a purpose. He further goes on to state that the country inspected by another correspondent was only a small strip. In this he is incorrect, for it was a considerable area embracing; the best of the land on this aide of tlie river, and I am sorry to say I must endorse his opinion. la conclusion, I would suggest that the whole country west of the Waiau should be thoroughly examined before any needless expenditure is gone into, for, from thirteen years' residenoo here, i can say that there is very little available land or timber on the known country. KOBT. W. AITKIN. Clifden, West Waiau, 15th September, 1874.

P.S.— I see by the News of the 12ch inst, that the action of the Waste Linda Board, Dunedin, is commented on in refusing Mr Oassells's application for 3030 acres on the we3t side of the Waiau. I beg to state that the Board, in justice, could not do otherwise, as my application has been twice refused, for 300 acres, which i 3 about the extent of the gross land, not 3000. The same article states that the runholders do not wish to encourage prospectors "to spy out the land." As the nearest runholder to the mouth of the river, I emphatically deny this assertion, for I have willingly crossed all, and assisted many, even kept one party in provisions, free, for nearly two months, besides 'sending out parties at my own expense. This statement is about as true as many others I have lately seen about the Waiau. EOBT. W. AITKIN. Clifden, ISth September,