WAITARA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3217, 3 September 1879, Page 2

WAITARA.

[FROM OUR OWN CORIIKSPON'DENT.] September 2.-?— T^g Port of Waitara lias presented a lively spectacle during the last week or.- two, an unusual number of vessels having arrived, loaded principally with railway material. At ono time there were six and throe steamers in the river. The masters of the vessels complain bitterly of the detention caused. by the .want of wharf accommodation — in some instances having to wait eight or ten days before they were discharged. It is quite time something was done in the matter. The Bail-way Department has boon blind to its own interests in not having long since extended the present structure, which is only an apology for a wharf. Visitors to our rising seaport town are quite struck with the appearance of our new Post and Telegraph Office — not on account of the elegance of the design, or that it is an ornament to the town; but, labouring under the impression that it is a cowshed, they are surprised at seeing it erected in the principal block in the town. In most towns shingled roofs are prohibited on account of the facility they afford to the spread of fire ; but here wo have the Government constructing a low, flat shingled roof close to the railway, iii the centre of the town, seeming to invite a spark from the engine to set it in a blaze. Why are all the designs for buildings, Ac, concocted in Wellington ? — our looal architects would bo better able to draw suitable plans, knowing the requirement of tho place. lam confident either Mr. J. 0. George or Mr. H. Taylor would; be ashamed to turn out plans for such an unsightly building, as this is a pile of good timber spoilt.