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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 347, 14 August 1878, Page 2

A number of Harbor Bills have already been introduced in the Assembly, and a decided stand has been made by two members to the wholesale granting ot endowments. Judging by the remarks of a Wellington contemporary, the proposed Fatea Amendment Bill will not stand much show, and especially so if great unanimity of opinionand confidence in the work is not shown by settlors. Fortunately, even such as would prefer to see the work delayed for fear their pockets might be slightly touched, are throughly satisfied with the operations now in hand. They have every confidence in the result, and are ready to share the advantages sure to follow in increased value to property and facilities for trade, but they do not recognize that benefits of the kind beget obligations. Our contemporary says—“ It is certainly time that the Government invited the House to take a firm stand against the mania for harbor making which seems to prevail. We could understand a Government which had as its chief a Taranaki man, dealing tenderly with all who wished to convert open roadsteads or small rivers into grand harbors, but we do not think any of the present Ministry want a harbor made to suit themselves, and they should not allow the public money to be wasted, and the public lands literally thrown into the sea by being given to all these little Harbor Boards as endowments to be experimented with.”

Im last issue we mentioned that the public meeting- held at Carlyle, re removal of land officer and records, had also passed a resolution asking Government to grant further endowments for the Patea Harbor Board, with borrowingpowers, “ with the usual rating clause.” The words relating to the rating clause were inserted in error. The meeting was held on an inconvenient night, apd our representative was unable to remain until all the business had been trans-acted-—hence the error arose. As much irritation has been caused in some •quarters at the supposed unwarrantable action on the part of Patea settlers, we willingly insert the following correction, addressed by Dr Croft to the Editor, which should be satisfactory to all opposed to a rating danse, and stop unnecessary opposition, agitations : Sin, —In your partial account of what passed at the public meeting on Friday evening last, yon stated that a resolution was unanimously carried, “asking Government to grant further endowments for the Patea Harbor, together with borrowing powers, with the usual rating danse.” I desire to point out that no mention whatever was made of any rating clause. The resolution simply asked Government to give further endowments, and grant borrowing powers. As the few additional words relating to a rating danse would, if nncontradieted, be likely to cause irritation in some quarters, I, as Chairm;pi of the meeting, respectfully ask you to insert this correction.—l am, &c., AIiCUEU C. Croft, Chairman of Public Meeting.