CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2460, 26 March 1909, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

* . ' - .;;./: [Correspondence on public matters is welcomed at all times, but it must- be , - ;/.0 distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with the opinions of its coircspondents.]

EAST COAST FREEZING WORKS.

(To the Editor.) V.vi * .. ' ' • Sir, —As one wlio F not in any wiser-'' interested and with a view to promoting a healthy controversy, permit me to present the situation regarding the rival sites at it appears to one with a thorough knowledge of at ' least the geography of the East Coast district and its producing capacity. Before commencing, however, what I trust will develop into an interesting -and beneficial discussion, permit me to express a strong opinion that had tire residents of Gisborne, a few years ago, advocated and supported the construction of a light railway to the East Cape there would have been no room for tire present discussion, inasmuch as Gisborne, apart altogether from the fact that many thousand acres of splendid country w.:uld have been tapped and developed. Gisborne would have for ail time secured the shipping trade of the whole of the East Coast. The route mapped out by Mr. Forde Matthews was, to my mind, the correct one. and as a town resident, I think it to be deeply ' deplored that his efforts were not crowned with more success. A let of time was wasted in discussing the outer harbor schemes but had we tapped our country with light railways there is no doubt an outer harbor would Irave been nearer in sight than it appears to be at present. But 1 am digressing. Tologa and Tokomaru are now " the aspirants for tbe honor of being* the shipping ports of the Ejjst- Coast,, and it seems probable tliat in the near future a freezing works will be established at one -or the other of these places. The matters of - vital importance, which should be thoroughly discussed and threshed out are, to my mind: (1) The estimated initial cost of construction; (5) centrality and convenience of transit to the greatest number of patrons. With regard to No. 1 the estimated cost of construction of suitable works at Tologa Bay is £30.000. with no necessity for expenditure on breakwater or artificial harbor, as Cook’s Cove affords splendid shelter for ocean-go-ing steamers, and the river affords excellent refuge for lightering plant. This cost at Tokomaru would be increased by ail additional expenditure of £55.000 for the construction of a. breakwater at- Waima, which construction might or might not be more successful than Gisborne’s white elephant. With regard to No. 2 there can he no doubt Tokomaru appears to score inasmuch as it is more central, but when it is considered that Tologa’s co-operation is art absolute essential to the establishment of works at Tokomaru the advantage is more apparent than real, for if works wore estblished at Tokomaru in that Gisborne would be still more convenient for Panikau, LoiseTs, Pakarae, and either similar places. The patronage of these stations would be lost to the E_ast Coast works if the same were established at Tokomaru. It lias been circulated that by the establishment of works at Tologa 175,000 sheep would be nearer the freezing works than they arC-to-day and Pakarae. with about 75.000 sheep, as near Tologa s it is to Gisborne. Under these circumstances itis not to he wondered that the astute managing director of the local works docs not favor the establishment of woi’ks at Tologa. and if their considerations weigh with that gentlemen it is highly probable that lie would favor the works being placed even further up the Coast. To my mind, however, - if the interest of the whole East Coast district are to he considered to the exclusion of all parochialism the. now works will he erected at Tologa Bay and not at Tokomaru. —I am. etc. “FIAT LUX.” Gisborne, March 25.