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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 310, 6 April 1878, Page 2

The Treasury Department, Wellington, has discovered another excuse for delaying payment of subsidy to the Patea County. Awhile ago blame was laid on the Hawcra Board. Now it has been shifted to that of the Patea West Road Board. Probably when the present fog has been cleared away, some other pretext for non-payment of subsidy will be discovered. On the 12th March, the Clerk of the Council telegraphed to Wellington asking when the subsidy due to Patea would be payable, as the money was required to pay for contracts. A reply was received on the Isth March, “ That the subsidy would be payable at once.” As payment had not been made up to the 30th March, the Clerk again telegraphed to the Treasury to the effect that, anticipating receipt of subsidy as promised, arrangements had been made to repay account at Bank on that day, and asking that the Treasury would credit the Patea County and wire the Carlyle Bank to that effect. The following reply was received—“ Government Buildings, Wellington, March 30. —County Treasurer, Carlyle, Payment to County cannot be made till returns of 25.L1i District are received. Return sent back on Ist November. Was telegraphed for on 14th instant, but not yet received,—-C, T. Batkin.” Inquiry having been made of the Secretary Patea West Road Board, the following telegram was forwarded to Wellington on the Ist April—“ The Secretary, 25th District, states that neither letter of the Ist November or telegram of 14th instant has been received by him. Will you send portion of subsidy if the whole is not available.” As the Chairman, and some of the County Councillors, are of opinion that it somewhat affects their dignity for information to be published by the Press until it has been first submitted to them in Council, nothing further is likely to be known of this interesting bit of fencing until next meeting of the Patea Council.