The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1876.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 153, 27 September 1876, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1876.

However desirous people may bo to support the reconstructed Ministry, as a means of.putting an end to the political anarchy that has disgraced the present session of Parliament, still, no one possessed of the most ordinary common sense can shut his eyes to the blunders ami weakness that have characterised the new creation, since the retirement of Sir Julius Yog-el. No matter whether the shaft of Agent-Generalship pierced the vulnerable part of that political hero’s armour or not, he was firm in all that ho did—he took np his po.sition and defi d assault, and for many years maintained a gallant struggle on these conditions. As soon as the present Government took office they commenced a policy of conciliation —possibly wisely, bnt as it involves consequences most prejudicial to this district, it is well that our readers should be placed on their guard. The parliamentary special correspondent of the “ Taranaki Herald” is known to be Mr Kelly, M.H.R., a gentleman both of ability and standing - , and one who, from his position as a Government whip, is pretty certain to know what ministerial intentions are. Major Atkinson, present Premier, lately announced that the Government intended to frame the boundaries of the new counties themselves, and as he had been a party to the original County Bill, in which these wore defined as known, it was naturally thought that there would ho no change. But, if the “ Herald’s” information is to bo relied on, and it should be, coming from such a source, a complete alteration is to be effected. The extract in question is of so much interest, not only as far as Patea is concerned, hut generally, that we quote it entire. It is taken from the “ Herald” of last Wednesday, and runs as follows:—'* The Government intend to withdraw the present County Bill and re-introduce the hill as it is proposed to bo amendfd; that is, counties shall be constituted and councils must be elected by wards. The counties so elected to decide whether l oth Connlies and Road Boards shall exist, or only one such local body, with power to expand in size or reduce Iheir areas ; in fact, generally to shape their governing body "to the wants of the districts within the County boundary. It is probable that the Counties wall he much larger than first contemplated, as arrangements are now being made between the representatives and the Government re County divisions. Otago only requires fonr Counties at the most, and Canterbury the same number. Taranaki would he better as one County, but if the Patea people insist on being separate the boundary will be fixed at Kanpokonni or Waingongora Rivers.” All the proposed alterations in the first part of the new bill will be accepted gratefully, for there emmet be a question as the impossibility of an overshadowing County Council working harmoniously', with a

scries of potty, but Independent bodies, in tlio shape of Road .Hoards, having jiinsdiction : ; v\'itbin their boundaries. If 'wards are adopted, every portion of the comity will be represented in its council, ami thus all requirements, small or large, 1 can bo broughtunder the notice of Ihclocal authority. But whilst heartily endorsing proposed alterations in this respect, there is danger contained in the latter portion of our quotation. It is said that the counties will ho much larger than at first contemplated; thus the wishes of the Otago, Canterbury and, especially Taranaki, members will be consulted, and Patea is threatened with compulsory union with the expiring province as a County, or with being made such an insignificant unit on the county map as to deprive it of all power and territory. Thus the policy of conciliation affects all within the originally proposed Fatea county, personally. Major Atkinson—presuming that the information is correct only —has simply sold his constituents, and has bartered their prosperity and well-being for the mess of ministerial pottage that he is now enjoying. Ho well knows that if the Patea county boundaries arc fixed as stated, the countv will have no land, no revenue, that it can never hope to be other than a mite, and that all the power will lie in the bands of Taranaki. Had such a statement as wo have reprinted been made on less reliable authority, we should not have given it a moment’s credence. Coming from the source it does it bears unhappy probability of its truth. It is now for "the people within the boundaries, as originally laid out, to consider the position the new action of the Government will place them in, and to take such measures as will prevent the contemplated injustice being consummated. Already, at Carlyle, at Wairoa, at Manntahi, public opinion has been tmmistakeably expressed, but there are many other places, Hawera especially, from which nothing has been heard. The danger is so urgent that snrely settlers will wake Up to their own interests, and adopt advice given some weeks ago, to form an association, and send in memorials or petitions without end for the preservation of propose 1 boundaries; and particularly impress on the member for Egmont the fact, that in allowing his constituents to drift in the way suggested, he will not only be doing wrong to them, but to the Colony generally, and that at some date more or less distant, an interval of certainly not more than four years, they will bear his desertion in mind. We have done our duty in'prominently bringing the subject forward, it is now for the public in the district to take measures to protect their own future best interests.

[Since the above was in type we are glad to say that a meeting has been convened by the Chairman of the Town Board here to consider the subject of boundaries. We hope that other places will follow this example.]