The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1877.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 231, 27 June 1877, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1877.

During his late visit to Wellington, the Chairman of the Patea Harbour Board (G. F. Sherwood, Esq.), appears to have been interesting himself in obtaining information, and in other respects forwarding the interests of the Harbour Board. A meeting of the Board will, shortly be called, when, no doubt, it will bo decided that contracts for the first portion of the proposed Works, shall bo called for. To persons outside the Board, . it appears that active operations are being unnecessarily delayed,, considering the fair position the Board is in as regards-funds, and the probability there is of being able to

raise, by endowments not yet sold, nearly sufficient money to cover the cost of first portion of the work. We learn that the Chief Engineer of the Colony (Mr Carruthers) is still of opinion that the plan proposed by him in the report furnished to Government in 1875, will answer the requirements of the district, and enable coasting steamers, and small craft, to enter the Pa to a, River, in reasonably fair weather, all the year round. Other Government engineers who have inspected the plans, and who have cursoriliy examined the river, speak favourably of the Chief Engineer’s scheme, it is even said the Chief Engineer would bo willing to act as supervisor during the progress of the works, and in that way ensure everything being carried out according to his own ideas, and under his own direction. With that cud in view it has been arranged that an engineer from the Public Works Department, with the necessary appliances, should he sent here to take soundings and obtain data, from which specifications and working plans may be compiled. Within the course of another week the engineer may be expected. The preliminary work will, probably, occupy about a fortnight, so that within six weeks, or at the furthest, two months, the Patea Harbour Board should bo in a position to call for tenders for the groin which it is intended to run out from the Boulder Bank. It is anticipated that but little alteration from the original plan will be required. The construction of a groin on the Boulder Bank has boon estimated to cost (with engineering and other necessary expenses) about £4,000. There are at present in the New Zealand Bank, funds to the credit of the Board amounting to considerably over £2,000. Reserves still unsold should realize fully £I,OOO. The annual income from the lately sold leasehold reserves will bo close on £‘24o. We can see no reason why the Board should any longer hesitate about commencing actual operations. When Major Atkinson was interviewed on his late visit to Carlyle, he expressed the opinion that borrowing powers ought to have been allowed, and said be would endeavour, 'during the coming session, to get the Act amended so as to have borrowing powers defined. There is little doubt but what the House will agree to so reasonable a request. In any case the work should bo begun. It may be that the Board has deemed it of the first importance to be assured of sufficient reserves, or income, to enable the larger work to be compassed before making a start with even the smaller portion, so as to avoid possible rough handling on the part of the public, should the result not he so favourable as anticipated. We are in a position to state that no opportunity has been lost in pressing on the attention of Government the need of being liberal ia the matter of endowment.'. Tire work is slightly risky, and it is well that the Board should be on the safe side. Probabilities are, however, in favour of serviceable improvements to the navigation of the river following the completion of the Eastern groin ; and we trust the Board will be of one mind in regard to calling tor tenders immediately the plans and specifications are ready, and so show that they mean business. With the work actually in hand Government would be more likely to heed solicitations for help, it needed. Wo, however, have no fear but funds will be forthcoming to pay for the first part of the work, by the time it is completed, and, good results following, property owners would bo so largely benefittod, and such a stimulus would bo given to the district, that there should be no difficulty about raising money, even in the district, to carry on further improvements. The Government would also benefit in the additional value which would be given to unsold lands, and should the readier aid with further land endowments. The public at large should show themselves in earnest about the matter, and so encourage and stimulate the Board to act decisively and without delay.