TRADE WITH WAIKATO.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16096, 20 September 1924, Page 6

TRADE WITH WAIKATO.

DIRECT COMIYiUNICATIOIi OPENING OF NEW MARKETS. The advantages that would result to manufacturers from the use of the Waikato River in the consignment of South Auckland requirements were stressed in a letter received at the meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce from the Hamilton Chamber (says a Wellington paper). "We have been successful," wrote the Hamilton Chamber, "in establishing direct communication between your port and Hamilton, via the Waikato River, and we are writing with the object of pointing out the advantage of this direct communication and the new markets in consequence open to merchants and manufacturers of the south. The present steamer service is irregular, but if manufacturers and- others will give the matter more • attention and consign their South Auckland requirements via the river, there is no reason why a fortnightly or even weekly service should not be instituted.

"Trjj steamer at present carrying on this trade is the s.s. Progress, owned by Messrs Holm and Co., Wanganui. This vessel sails direct to the Waikato Heads, and unloads in the mouth of the river into the river steamers. The goods are then brought up the,river and delivered at the following towns: —Mercer, Huntly, Taupiri, Ngaruawahla, Horotiu, Hamilton, and Cambridge. On the Waipa River, a tributary of the Waikato Rjver, which is also navigable, are the following towns:—Whatwhata, Pirongia, and Otorohanga. The lastnamed town is at the present time isolated so far as the river is concerned, and will be so until such time as the proposed River Board get control of the river and remove existing obstacles.

"People In the south do not realise the great asset we have in the Waikato River, which is navigable' for a few miles beyond Cambridge. Cambridge is 100 miles from the mouth. There is about 20 feet of water at Cambridge, and a big depth at Hamilton. At the present time, however, there arc shoals lower down the river which stop vessels of deep draught trading up this far, and so consequently cargo has to bo transhipped. It is hoped that these obstacles will ultimately be removed and vessels of small draught will then be able to trade from the south and 100 miles inland. This is, however, looking a little ahead, and before improvement can be effected we must establish a trade with, the means at our disposal, which at the present time means trans-shipping at the Heads,. "We want to point out to you that we are offering you practically a new direct market. This southern portion of the Auckland district has a population of about 65,000 people, most o/ whom are engaged in the production of dairy produce for export. Practically all requirements are drawn from southern or Auckland raanu'tac* turers, "and, practically all produce is drawn from south. Hamilton js tbe'hub of /this large territory. It is the junction of the North and South Main Trunk. Rotorua line, and the Thames. Goods for other towns, such as Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Rotorua, Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, Te Kuitj, etc., can be distributed from here at much cheaper rates than from Auckland. General cargo via the direct service lands in Hamiltop at les£ than the railage from Auckland. The rate on general cargo southern ports to Ham* ilton is 61s per ton. The railage rate Auckland to Hamilton is 63s 8d per ton. Taking into consideration savings on Auckland charges, direct goods land here with a saving of about 33s 6d per ton. We are anxious to do direct business with you, and we would also like to see a representative of the southern manufacturers in Hamilton in preference to the present method of appointing one agent for the whole of the Auckland district. Distributing agents in .Hamilton will be in more direct communication with buyers, will be out to establish the direct service, and will be on the spot to attend to distribution. This chamber, therefore, hopes that the business of the district will be done in this business centre.

"We should be very pleased if you would bring this matter before all members of your chamber, and we feel confident that with your assistance .business will materialise on a very large scale."