LAYING FOUNDATION STONE PATEA BREAKWATER.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 330, 15 June 1878, Page 2

LAYING FOUNDATION STONE PATEA BREAKWATER.

The ceremony of laying the Foundation Stone of the Patea Breakwater took place at one o’clock yesterday. With one or two exceptions, a close holiday was observed at Carlyle. A general close took place about noon. We learn also that shops closed, and a general holiday was observed at Hawera. The first boat load of passengers left Milroy’s wharf soon after eleven o’clock. Others followed. The majority of people, however, walked, rode, or drove to the Heads, those on the Carlyle side being taken across to Whenuakura side in boats. Considering the high wind blowing, and the threatening rain, the muster at the Heads was good, the fair sex being well represented. Mr Monktom photographer, was present with his apparatus, and about one o’clock, all being ready, a picture was taken. Standing near to the strides on which the stone was suspended, preparatory to its being laid, was the Chairman of the Harbor Board (G. F. Sherwood, Esq.,) J. Thomson, Engineer to the Board, and the contractor (Richard Dickson, Esq). Of members of, the Harbor Board, in addition to the Chairman> the following were present—Messrs John Milroy, Samuel Taplin, Henry Williamson, and W. A. G. Winchcombe.

"Whilst a number of leading town and country settlers were present, there were others who mignt reasonably have been expected to bo present on such an im portant occasion, who were conspicuous by their absence.

About one o’clock the stone was lowered, after which Mr Sherwood, addressing the assembly said : Ladies and Gentlemen, — As yon have no doubt heard, there have been many alterations made in the plans, and that within the last few days, consequently wc have Hot been able to make those arrangements wc should otherwise have made. I trust that you will be good enough to overlook this, and we will endeavor to repair any deficiency in today’s proceedings when we put the finishing touch to the work. It has been well said that one half: of our lives are spent in wondering if a thing can be done, and the other half in wondering why it was not done before. If anyone had, two years ago, stated that we should bo here to-day for the purpose of laying the Foundation Stone of the Patea Breakwater, the statement would have been scouted by almost everyone. Nevertheless, we are here to inaugurate, in a practical form, the most important undertaking that has ever happened in the County. I hope, and firmly believe, that in entering upon this important work, wo are commencing a new era of advancement and prosperity—the beneficial effects of which will be felt throughout the County, if not all along the West Coast of this Island. The Patea Harbour Board held its first meeting in March of last year. A steady and comparatively rapid progress has been made. When I say comparatively rapid progress, I mean, in comparison with some other places where they have been talking about Harbour Works for the 1 ast thirty-five years, and ba've not yet commenced. We have been working for,about two years, and yon see the results. Many difficulties have been encountered, and happily, overcome. I desire to heartily thank the members of the Board, past and present, for their ready and careful attention to the business they have undertaken for the public good. I desire, personally to offer those gentlemen my warmest thanks for the great kindness and confidence they have invariably displayed to-myself as Chairman of the Board ; and I wish to further thank them, and at the same time to thank the public, for having this day conferred upon me the distinguished honour of laying the .Foundation Stone. And that you have been pleased to think 1 have been in some measure instrumental in bringing about this work, is a source of great satisfaction to myself. It has been said that no work is more problematical as (to results than harbour works. Wc may meet with reverses, but that is no reason why we should relax our efforts. Let us hope strongly for the best—but, at the same time, if reverses should come, let them be but incentives to still more de- , termined action. But, indeed, I have the greatest faith in the stability of the proposed work, and of its successful results. We have been fortunate in having secured the opinions of competent engineers, and, , whilst they have differed slightly as to the mode of constructing the works, they have .been unanimously of opinion that the river is a really good one, and one capable of being made a good port. This being the case, we can easily afford to ignore the opinions of those who are either very jealous, or extremely ignorant of what they are croaking about. Sir John Coode, when here, expressed himself in the highest terms of the river generally, and of its capabilities as a port. As you are no doubt aware, lie has forwarded an interim report and plan, in which he has suggested an important modification as regards'site and design.

■ The'. Harbor Board have adopted his suggestion, and, I am happy to say that Mr Dickson, the contractor, has met the Board in a very straightforward and business-like way, and the result is that the work is going right straight on. The fame of this beautiful County has gone forth, and is so well known, that it has become almost a household word. It is our duty, and a very pleasant one it is, by every effort within our power, to develope its vast sources of wealth—by opening up the country for settlement, by means of roads, railways, and the harbour—the last I take to be of primary importance. We want an easy ipode of transit for our produce to a market. No other means can compete with water carriage. We can secure that —and we will. The present produce of this County may be put down

at the rate of £2,000,000 per annum ; and, if an easy mode of transit existed, this sum would be more than doubled in a very few years. Having these facts in view, is it not ourbouhden duly to open up direct communication with the colonial and so avoid the serious delays and expenses incident to transhipping. At present, a large portion of our produce is purchased by those who come when they like, and pay what they think fit. This and other monopolies must be broken down. One of the first conditions necessary to successful progress is freedom. We must be free‘from monopolies. The source l of our freedom lies in our harbor. Let that be improved and we need fear nothing from monopolies

or competition by land carriage. Our work is begun, and well begun. Let us one and all take action—strong united action —to provide the means for its completion—for, you must remember, that this section is but a commencement of the general scheme. Sir John Goode’s report will be sent here from England in about four months. We shall then be face to face with.the whole work, and means must be devised for carrying it out. The County has large claims for consideration at the hands of the Legislature. We must unite in advocating them in a fair and reasonable manner. Let us hope that, at the same time we lay this stone, we shall be laying the foundation of a better social feeling throughout the County. We are all, 1 believe, striving for the one object, and, if we differ as to the means to attain it, do not let that engender enmity, but rather let the motto of the County be “Unity, Peace, and Progress.” Let that be acted up to in its integrety, and we shall prove ourselves worthy of the beautiful land in which we have cast our lot, and, when we pass on, we shall leave for those who follow, something that will be a credit to ourselves and our country. Mr Sherwood was frequently applauded during the progress of his speech, and in concluding called for cheers for the contractor, which were heartily given. Hearty cheering then followed for the Patea Breakwater, for Mr G. F. Sherwood, for the Harbor Board and the Engineer. Mr W. Williams, late member of the Harbour Board, considered the praise for progress so far made was entirely due to the noble chairman. From the commencement to the present he bad worked bard, and to-day he had achieved a victory. The speaker thoroughly believed in the work now being done. It would give settlers a bolter mode of conveyance, and would be the means of increasing the size of the town and gcneralH in stimulating progress. His opinion was that people in Wanganui wore not anxious that this work should be a success. Mr Williams expressed himself as very pleased with the present members of the Harbor Board, and hoped they would cany on to successful completion. The proceedings being declared over, and indications of rain coming on, a start was made lor the boats. The large whaleboat had to cross over a number of times, assistance being also rendered b} r Mr Aitchison and others with smaller boats.