The Patea Mail, Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 52, 9 October 1875, Page 2

The Patea Mail, Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1875.

The Carlyle Town Board may be congratulated on their resolve to make an appeal to the Government in order that the services of Mr Blackett may be secured to make a survey of our river entrance, with a view to suggesting such permanent improvements as will keep it always open. Captain Edwin has already reported, and unfavorably, but be has since then admitted that his opinions wer ; formed rather from a seaman’s than an engineer’s view. He says now that means might be adopted whereby navigation for small craft could bo maintained, with nine feet of water at high tide. His report then goes for nothing, and it is above all things necessary that a new and reliable one should be obtained from some acknowledged authority. It has been urged, when the railway now commenced connecting Patea with Wanganui and New Plymouth is finished, the maintenance of the port will be of little moment, as all necessary communication will be afforded by its means. In the first place, however, we would point out that under the most favorable circumstances the line will not be completed for some time—probably some years, and that the present uncertain condition of the port must continue, to the great hindrance of trade, and to the serious inconvenience and loss of producers. This district is rapidly increasing in importance, settlement is progressing at a rate that none but those in the district can realise, and in a very short time Patea will be in a position to export largely. The late land sale realising £14,000, showed conclusively with what avidity land is purchased here, and what is more, for bona fide cultivation, and not for speculation. Under such circumstances Patea is entitled to a great deal more consideration than other parts where the same ground for recognition do not exist. As to being satisfied with a barren report, that is not likely, especially as the expense of carrying out any recommendations would he a comparative trifle in comparison with the advantages that such works would confer. But even supposing the railway was completed from end to end, it would not carry produce to the host markets that are available. Neither the Waitara nor Wanganui would greatly benefit the Patea farmers, as far as the disposal of their produce was concerned, whilst, oven if they did, it could be carried by sea for at least half the cost of its conveyance by railway. The railway objection to expenditure in the preservation of river navigation may, therefore, be set aside. But, as it happens, a very valuable report is just to hand prepared by Mr T. M. H. Johnston, an engineer of extremely high standing in his profession, at the request of the Superintendent of Otago, relative to rendering the harbour of Kakanui always accessible. The analogy between that place and this is so striking, that what he recommends in his pamphlet as necessary for Kakanui, is exactly applicable to Patea. The following, taken from the “ Otago Daily Times,” if the names were changed, would suit our position equally well. Our contemporary says:— “ Like nearly all our rivers, the Kakanui has a sand bar at its mouth, and at some seasons the river at that part is only three or four yards wide and a foot or two deep for an hour or so before low water of spring tides. At times of heavy floods, however, the entrance is six or seven chains wide, with a channel depth of six feet at low water of spring tides, and twelve at high water.” We cannot give the full details by which Mr Johnston proposes to overcome the difficulty, but may say that he purposes to close up the present channel, and excavate a new one. Whether this could be done advantageously here, or what would be best to do, we leave those qualified to give advice to say, but we specially point out that the estimates of all the works needed to render the Kakanui navigable at all seasons and times is only £II,OOO. If that is sufficient in one place it should be in another; indeed, we have reason to believe, that much less would suffice for the Patea river. The question is not a local but a general one, and the principle that the General Government is bound to render ail ports available and, what is more, keep them so, when either exports or imports justify the

outlay, must bo admitted on all hands. It would not, therefore, on the part of the Colonial Treasurer, be showing any undue favoritism were he to place the necessary funds on the Supplementary Estimates, and support the item in the House. This possibly may be too late this session, but at least the services of Mr Blackett might be accorded and- a report and estimate of cost of required works could be sent in before next year at all events. Perhaps some available funds—were Mr Blackett’s advice to hand—might be got by hook or by crook, and even though that be a vain hope, the sooner it is got the better. The matter is one of grave importance to this part of the colony, and we hope that the public will not let it sleep till something definite and satisfactory is arrived at. As far as we are concerned we shall do our utmost to keep it before our readers.

In another column will bo found a letter from a correspondent in which the action of the Town Board, in connection with thei r banking: account, is freely commented on. We feel convinced that the opinions tli&'e expressed will be shared in by nine-tentks of the community of this district. Thf nonsense talked by Mr Milroy as to till Bank of New Zealand “ coming to the rescue” was as amusing as untrue. When it became absolutely necessary to t?ne settlers that they should have a branch bank located here, a meeting was called, and a small majority of those present determined that the Bank of New Zealand should he first invited. The directors accepted the invitation, but rescued nobody and nothing. On the other hand, there were many who preferred then, and prefer now, the Bank of New South Wales, for various reasons. We do not say that the special meeting agreed to for Monday next is intended for the purpose of securing the account for the New Zealand, hut tl»o public will certainly bo of opinion that a question of this kind should not be dealt with by a fragmentary Board, and that it should not be decided till all the members are present. This cannot he till Mr M‘Cai thy returns, and the Board will only consult the wishes of their constituents by postponing the decision till his return.