WAITOHI MEETING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2970, 12 May 1896, Page 2

WAITOHI MEETING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The report of the meetiug hold at Lower Waitohi was a fair one from a Waitohi point of view. Seeing that the meeting was composed of the people of Waitohi and their friends (myself and Mr Wreathall excepted), and that there was no one to second my motion to have the bridge erected at Collett’s crossing to Waitohi,thosenot particularly acquainted with the facts may think my proposal quite absurd. There is no mention made that the upper site had five acres to one at the Point site, that the Point site would not directly benefit more than 5000 acres against 40,000 acres the upper site would accommodate, and that I would oppose the Point site to the uttermost, which I qualified by saying that if the council in their wisdom build a bridge at the lower site we have a right to one higher up. 1 also said that the circuitous route would not be less to some than 16 miles to the Point. The omissions are not great, but from reading the report one would say the opposition was not worth mentioning. Then, Mr Orr was going to drive my sheep for me round his way—all for nothing. I have nothing to say against Mr Orr, or any of bis neighbors, who are all honest and straightforward people, who would pay you 20a in the £ —and cash at that. “ But just give us our bridge first,” says Mr Urr, “ and then we will see what we can do for your one.” That is the only case of the mouse turning upon the cat and killing her that I have ever heard of. So much for the report. Now as to the necessity of a bridge, lives have been lost by people crossing on urgent business, which a bridge at a trifling coat of £2OOO would have saved. It is evident the Levels County members are prepared to accede to the petitioners’ request as both reasonable and necessary. The distance from Wigley’s station down to the lower bridge is from 18 to 20 miles, and a bridge at Collett’s crossing to Waitohi would bo in tho centre, and has most favor in our district. 1 maintain that a bridge below at the Point is altogether one sided. Besides, tho detour is too great; we would bo no better off than at present. There is only one bit of a bluff at Noah’s Ark that wants forming to connect the linos of road higher up, when this site at Collett’s would be suitable to all. By the time the people

of Opuha aud Kakahu came dowu seven or eight miles, it would not be too much for Wiiitohi people to come up two or three miles to make the junction central for everybody, and of the 5000 acres that the Point site would accommodate 3000 acres would bo as well suited at Collett’s crossing. Wo were told at the meeting that there was no site on the whole river suitable to build a bridge on but the one at the Point. Now as to engineering of the upper site, there is no difficulty for a novice let alone professional man. There is a wall of rock on the north aids

of the river, aud all t.h;*t is required is to train the river to this wall, so as to secure the approaches. There is no I unci required to b<> purchased, and it will j.iin two main roads together, beßide3 a general system of roads leading in all directions. Trusting that this information will put people right who know nothing of tho conditions, and that there is likely to be job perpetrated if it is not checked in time, I am, etc., Alex Maxwell, Greeuhillß, Kakahu.