THE PAKARAE PUNT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1826, 6 August 1906, Page 2

THE PAKARAE PUNT.

REPLY FROM HR J. R. SHAW. The following letter has been written by Mr ]. R. Shaw to the Cook County Counoif, replying to the statements male at the last meeting : "At the last meeting of your Oounoil reference was made to tbe manner in which tbe working of iho Pakirao punt was carried out, and that the submerging of the punt was duo to my nrgligenoe. [ This fast I respectfully contradict, and for your information I submit the names of Ihs following persons who did everythir g possible to k ep tbe puns in working order duriog tbs heavy flood; thby are Messrs F Bousfield, Gillespie, Bowie Brothers (2) and Litobards. The ex pensß inourred in this direction I have not asked for. The current waß so Strom* that tbe efforts of the above mentioned gemlomen were of do avail, consequently

L I considered it my doty to communicate with yout oaginoer regard.ng the difficulty, when Mr M. McLeod was despatched to try and right matters. Contrary to my wish the punt was rt moved to the south aide, where a nasty papa reck exists (well koown to travellers), and os the tide rec.ded, the punt was left on'tbe papa and canted, and as a natural conßequenoe became fi'led with water, and was somewhat damaged. I have a' all times used every endeavor to keep the punt working at a eoos-iderablo cost to myself, and on the occasion of the last flood 1 had a boat available, and personally attended to see there was no mishap. Our worthy Magistrals, Messrs 0 F. Lewis, District Valuer, and D. Robertson, of tbe Roads Department, and others, will bear me out in this respect, In conclusion, I would like to add that on the oooaeion in question the current was eo etrODg that for eome distance out to sea the current oould be traced fighting its way through the inenmng tide, and it was a'mo«t impossible for g, ar of any ordinary calibre tn stand the exo-ssivc strain. I tru-t that the explanation hare offered will suffice to show that there has not ben any mglect or attempt to ehiik responsibility on my part, ard that I have honestly endeavored to not up to the oouditions of my license as regards the ferry,—l am, cto., J. R, KffAW." -