The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 345, 7 August 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1878.

In last issue we mentioned that a rnmor was current to the effect that all original maps and authentic information concerning lands within the district were about to be removed to the Chief Office at New Plymouth. For some time past it has beeu currently reported that the purvey Officer, in the Crown Lands Department, was about to be removed. It would now appear that a wholesale clearance is intended to be made—maps, records, and officer. Of the officer it only needs to be mentioned that he is equally well at home in the field as in the office, being practically acquainted with all the surveyed lauds within the district, as well as with the maps and records. At the present time, when so many transactions in land are being made, and new blocks are being opened up, such an Officer as the gentleman reierred to is simply invaluable, both as regards convenience to the public and profit to the Government. No other Officer could so readily or efficiently perform the work required, for the simple reason that he would not have had the opportunities for learning as the present Survey Officer has had. To remove the Officer, maps, and records, will very seriously affect the march ahead which the County was shaping for. As pointed

out last issue the removal of these records will necessitate journeys to New Plymouth for information as to land sold or to be sold, with all attendant expenses and loss of time. It may bo that tracings will be left, but their flimsiness and liability to obliteration will make them of little value. With the Officer also taken away the inconvenience would he the greater. So strong is public feeling on this matter that sv committee of townsfolk was formed on Monday, when it was decided that a deputation should wait on County Council to urge that body to use its influence with the Government in preventing the wholesale clearance intended, and also to point out the injustice of one-fourth of proceeds of sale of land on the Waimate Plains, within the Patea County, being handed over to Now Plymouth to be sunk on the Breakwater, when money is so urgently required here to open new country to meet the demands of intending settlers. Long ago we pointed out the injustice and harmfulness of the administration of Patea lands being vested partly in the Taranaki Board and partly in the. Wellington Board. The Wellington Board appears to know little and cares less about the district. The Taranaki Board has some idea of the value of lands within the County, and at all hazards desires to keep its finger in the pie, the tendency being to centralise at New Plymouth, and leave ns more and more dependant on their will and pleasure. Ihe pointed attention we called to the overreaching and overriding tendencies of the Taranaki Board, over a twelve months ago, resulted in better facilities for the obtaining of information being for a time granted. A lull having occurred the old spirit has been revived, and an attempt is again being made to swallow up the small but fertile Patea County. By lopping a little here and there, and undermining in another quarter, it is no donbt hoped we shall be so weakened as to be glad to lean on Taranaki. We cannot hold the former Government blameless for the piece-meal fashion in which affairs, which should be administered by purely local bodies, have been tacked on to one place and another. Being the fag-end of two districts, it no doubt seemed convenient to divide on the old provincial boundaries. On the formation of Education Boards, however, there was a new departure, and deprived of our own Education Board, which had done snch good work, we were made a sacrifice to Wanganui. The next move will no donbt be to make mince meat of the County. However, Patea is robust, and will not quietly be obliterated. It has made good progress, and with harbor works in hand, the good effects of which are already apparent, it requires but fair treatment to enable it to bound ahead. Amongst the most important aids to progress, is the granting of facilities for selection and purchase of land. Had late arrangements been allowed to continue, public feeling would not have been aroused. While conscious that a Local Land Board, or Officer directly responsible to Government, would enable the settlement of Crown Lands to proceed faster, and to better advantage, we were not disposed to growl at the manner in which, under Captain Wray, the business of the lands department was being conducted, even though the Taranaki Board had control. Now, however, that it has been decided to remove draughtsman, maps, and records, it is time to speak, and time too to strike out for the local administration of land. A better time than now could scarcely be. Mr G. F. Sherwood, an earnest worker on all public matters, and a gentleman having a thorough knowledge of requirements, and being favorably disposed to the local administration of land, is at present in Wellington, and could be asked to interview the Government on the matter. Mr G. S. Bridge, Chairman of the County Council, also happens to be in Wellington at the present time. The two together would form a deputation on whom settlors could rely. To carry due weight, it would be necessary for resolutions to be passed in public meeting, or for a numerously signed requisition to be got up and forwarded. Prompt action must be taken. To that end a public meeting has been convened for Friday evening, to take that and other matters into consideration. The centralizing tendencies of Taranaki as regards land administration, should be nipped early. It will require strong and united effort to prevent the intended removal of Officer, maps, and records. Settlers must step out to the occasion, and back up the gentlemen who are now in Wellington, and who are able, and will be found willing to make proper representations to Government, if empowered to do so. We trust with good results.