THE PATEA MAIL. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays. WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 13, 26 May 1875, Page 2

THE PATEA MAIL. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays. WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1875.

Tins advantage of going to hoail-qaartors ami tlic bcuciit of having a Provincial Executive who take this direct course, lias been strikingly manifested lately, as far as tins part of the Colony is concerned. Mr F. A. Carrington, Superintendent of Taranaki, lately paid a visit to 'Wellington, as some of our readers may be aware, to bring certain matters in connection with the Province under the notice of the Ministry. It is satisfactory to know that his exertions have been crowned with the most complete success, and the Province cannot he other than grateful to him for his efforts. As all this part of the world knows, the manner in winch the unhappy lunatics have been treated has been simply harharions, hut the accommodation at the disposal of the officials has been so limited that they were unable to reform tliis state of affairs. On his late visit to Wellington, we are happy to learn that Mr Carrington has made arrangements for tlic transfer of the lunatics confined at New Plymouth to Karori, where they wiil receive that care and attention their unhappy condition demands. If he had done nothing more, he would he entitled to the host thanks of those who possess the most ordinary feelings of humanity. As the puph’e are aware, a gap in telegraphic communication has for some time existed between Opunako and .Stoney River, telegrams being only received at certain hours, and having to ho despatched on horseback through the break, on account of the Maoris in that neighbourhood objecting to the line passing through their land. This difficulty has been surmounted, thanks to the energy of the (Superintendent ; but whether the line will be constructed through the Mountain Road, or extended along the coast, we. cannot at present say. The work, however, we understand, will bo carried out without delay. As must he apparent to everyone, the break in the communication with New Plymouth has had a most damaging effect both on this district and that of New Plymouth, and has seriously affected the commercial interests of both places. Now, fortunately, the difficulty is about to be put an end to. The next matter, and a most important one, too, that has la tidy been dealt with, is the Mountain Road connecting this district with Now Plymouth. 'The importance of this work can hardly be estimated—it certainly cannot be over-estimated, whether the interests of Raton. or those of New Plymouth, or the Province of Taranaki generally, are taken into consideration. Though naturally and geographically intimately connected, the communication between the two places is practically suspended, as far as general commercial intercourse is concerned ; whereas, on the completion of this work, wo shall be brought together in such a manner as cannot fail to produce the most substantial benefits to both places. Instead of the. • public here carrying on business relations with those for whom they have, if we may use the expression, a natural affinity, they arc compelled, through the lack of communication, to deal with those who arc little less than hostile, and have few, if any sympathies in common with this district. The road in question, on completion, will alter all this, and it is with no small satisfaction that wo arc able to state that this mud! desired communication is now under the consideration of the Provincial Government, and we may expect to see the work pushed forward without further delay. The very great advantage that the districts of llawera and Kctemarac would derive from sucK communication need hardly be referred to, for they must ho apparent to everyone. Whilst on tins subject, wc must bear testimony to the energy and indefatigability of Mr T. Kelly, the Provincial (Secretary, who has left no stone unturned to accomplish the much-needed work, and has rendered good service to that end. Hitherto this road has been regarded as a kind of immigrants’ Paradise, or rather as a source of employment to new arrivals, one that there was no specia.l hurry about, and one that could be completed as leisurely as the new arrivals thought fit. Tids is by no means the case ; but oven if it were, the General Government should be bound to place as many of the class as are required on the work at once. This concession has, we are pleased to state, been made, and a stream of immigration of a suitable kind has been promised, whereby not only the Mountain Road will be furthered, but the wants of the various districts will ho supplied. This diversion, if we may so term it, is in a groat degree owing to the representations of the Superintendent and Provincial (Secretary to the Minister for Public Works, ami the Minister for Immigration (Major Aikhumn hj and we an- cidid'-io that

their unremitting zeal in the interests of tin; Province will he duly appreciated by the public. Taranaki is forlnnale in its KxceiUi vc, avho work so harmoniously together, as to ensure recognition of (lie fullest and most satisfactory kind at the bands of the Colonial (lovennnent. The construction of tin; road through tlio fhmd Hills, the benefits promised and above referred to, together with a host of other privileges, show that tbe interests of tbo Province are not neglected at hcad-iptaiders ; and that in its local Government, tbe right men are in the right place. There arc other things that we could adduce in proof of this, if proof were needed, hut we think wo have stated, sufficient to show that the (Superintendent and executive of Taranaki are entitled to the most implied confidence of our members, and also the very best thanks of ail who reside within -the limits of the Province over which they exorcise a sway. MWnWffVMptwoc .zjt**ur