The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 56, 23 October 1875, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1875.

As we predicted in our last issue, tlie appUcallun fur <v ouLcidy to ft local steamer, to trade with adjacent ports from here, has been successful, and, though it will be granted in a roundabout way, the fact remains, .and a little circumlocution may be pardoned, so long as the object is attained. The Colonial Treasurer, as will be seen in the subjoined telegram, in reply to a reminder of Mr Dale’s, telegraphed to that gentleman on Wednesday last as follows : —“ The proposed subsidy will be a Provincial one. I have arranged the matter with the Provincial Government. They will submit the amount for the approval of the General Government, and it will be approved of.” Thus, it will be seen, that one difficulty is surmounted, and there will no trouble in floating the company, with even that small guarantee. In justice to Mr Dale, we may add, that the result is in a great measure owing to his energy and perseverance, and it is to be hoped that he will not abate his efforts till the fullest success is achieved. The tale has been so often told and the value of a steamer, under local direction and management, to connect us with other ports so keenly appreciated, that it would be beside the question to recapitulate reasons for its purchase. All business men know them ; every farmer and producer of any kind know them, and, if they study their own interests, they will not only come forward readily, but will exert themselves to the utmost, both in person and in purse to get the wished for boat with as little delay as possible. As yet, through the enterprise being only in a crude state, pending aid now promised, nothing decisive has been done, but, with the encouragement offered, this state of inaction should not be allowed to continue. It is agreed on all hands that such a vessel is needed in order to supply the wants of the district. A subsidy, that we should certainly have thought insufficient, but all that was asked, has been granted; those, who have either enterprise or foresight, arc ready to find funds, and no apparent impediment offers itself to the speedy formation of the company and its getting into working order. The first difficulty will, of course, be the purchase of a boat suitable to our somewhat exacting requirements. She must be of light draught, of considerable power, of good carrying capacity, suitable for passengers of both sexes, a good sea boat, and quick to answer her helm, with at least a fair average turn of speed. It is very rarely that all these marine virtues are concentrated in one hull, but all of them are absolutely necessary in a boat that will fully come up to the needs of the Patea district, and the Patea river in combination. Fearing a difficulty in this respect, it has been proposed that an order should be given to one of the many first- 1 class ship building firms, now happily existent in New Zealand, so that a i vessel to order, and calculated, as far as i possible to fulfil all the above conditions ' may be constructed. This, were time ] no object, would be the wisest course, 1 Inof in a JoSE to S 1

Colonies, especially in New South Wales, and Queensland, there are many rivers, with baraof a far more formidable nature than-this-one offers, that afford the only access to first class country. The consequence is steamers, of exactly the description that are required here, are built for the trade. In some cases the pioneer boats are found to be too small for increasing exigencies. In others the promoters find that the traffic is not so large as they have calculated on, and lay their loa.s up rather than continue running them at a loss, whilst shipbuilders in idle times build boats on speculation that frequently lie for some time on their hands. Owing to these causes, theie is seldom any difficulty in procuring a steamer there suitable for this port or oiher ports of a like kind, and it is worth the while of the company to see whether they cannot be supplied at once from these sources, rather than wait the tedious process of construction. The season for wool is on, we may say; the summer and autumn will be the harvest time of the local boat, and delay in starting must be accompanied with loss in a greater or less degree. These are matters, however, that will, without

doubt be duly discussed and disposed of by those chiefly interested. Before coming to a decision we would ask them to well weigh all prospects of the question, and at least try the Australian market, before building on their own account. Those at the head of affairs arc shrewd businessmen, whose interests are identical with those of the district, and they are not likely to fall into any serious errors. They know what is wanted and will assuredly secure it. As a matter of course, trifling harbour improvements will be, needed, but these will, we may fairly presume, be the necessary sequence to the subsidy promised. It will, however, be the business of the company to ensure their being undertaken without delay, whether by the Provincial Government with the approval of the Colonial Minister or by the General Government with the approval of no one but their own sweet selves. Our member owes us somethimr, and as his gifts have not been numerous hitherto, he can legitimately use his influence with his colleagues, to procure the expenditure of a comparative trifle, whereby a splendid district will be permanently opened up, and its settlers guaranteed markets for their produce. The promoters of the company should not allow Major Atkinson to forget that the subsidy is not all that is wanted, but, on the contrary, that by itself it is comparatively useless, unless access and ingress are secured for the steamer that receives it. One step however Iris been made in advance on which we congratulate the public of the district, as a chance now offers, whereby the commercial isolation that Patea lias suffered from for years past is likely to be brought to an end.