PATEA HARBOUR WORKS.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 110, 29 April 1876, Page 2

PATEA HARBOUR WORKS.

(to the editor of the patea mail.) Sir,— Fully agreeing with your leading article in Wednesday’s issue, 1 beg to forward you an extract from a letter which appeared in the Taranaki Herald , from the Superintendent of the Province, F. A. Carrington, Esq., in the matter of a harbour for New Plymouth, which I consider so well written that the same remarks and arguments will apply generally to our river ; and would remark that in our case nature has done so much that art would only have little to do to complete, as pei Mr Carruthers’ able report. It runs thus: — “ It is well known to all experienced men, who have carefully and impartially studied the requirements of this part of New Zealand, that without a harbor it will not be practicable to bring into use advantageously the immense tract of land which now lies waste contiguous to New Plymouth. The distance from Wellington to this place by railway, when made, will bo two hundred and fifty-eight miles ; which is far too great to meet railway, warehouse, and other charges on agricultural products, and yet leave a profit to the grower, so as to enable him to compete with people of other districts, where the advantages of a harbor are obtained within a reasonable and paying distance. Moreover, a people who possess the advantage of harbour accommodation are not restricted to one market (as would be the case at Taranaki if governed by the

opinions expressed in the Wellington Argus), but are free to choose throughout every port in these islands, the Australian Colonies, and all parts of the world where they can best trade to advantage. The cost of the conveyance of goods for long distances by water is comparatively small, but the cost of the conveyance of goods by railway is ever increasing throughout the tiansit, the charge being at per ton per mile—as is the distance so will the increased charge be—the railway charges for the distance from New Plymouth to Wellington would, in some instances, if acted upon, swallow up the value of the goods conveyed. It is, therefore, clear that the valuable and fertile lands of Taranaki will not be fairly developed until our harbour be available. That the cost of constructing a harbour at New Plymouth will bo no financial difficulty, but on the contrary a financial advantage, I will now show. We have in the Province of Taranaki some two millions of acres of land for sale, the greater portion of which is of a superior quality, and the whole of it will bo more or less benefitted by the making of a harbour at New Plymouth ; and will, on the actual commencement of the harbour works, icalise at least ten to fifteen shillings an acre more than it otherwise would. But, over and above what I have here mentioned, I have moans of knowing that some 100,000 acres of land in this Province will realise from £2 to £5 an aero more if the harbour works be in operation when the land I speak of be sold. In fact, by the making of a harbour at New Plymouth the land wo have for sale will realise over and above what it otherwise would—more than sufficient to carry out the work. That the making of a harbour at Now Plymouth will “lessen the trade of the railway,” as stated by the writer in the Wellington Argus, it is clear to all who understand the developing of a country by means of a railway that unless the transit of goods be within reasonable distance it cannot pay, and the only way to effect this is by having a harbour within payable distance of the land to be developed as will be the case when the harbour is made here as now authorised by the legislature of the Colony.” Surely it behoves us all to “put our shoulders to the wheel” to forward such a desirable object, and I would request my fellow settlers to put all minor differences of opinion aside, and unite in pushing on such an important work. The loss of the Egmont ought to stir ns a little from our lethargy, and I would conclude by suggesting that a public meeting not only be called, but well attended, to take steps to bring a matter of such great importance before Parliament, during the ensuing session. Only substitute Patca for New Plymouth, and exactly the same arguments would apply. I am, &c., JAMES HIRST.