TIME TO SPEAK.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 352, 31 August 1878, Page 2

TIME TO SPEAK.

(To the Editor of die Patea Mail.) Sir, — Being naturally rather dull of comprehension, perhaps you will kindly explain to mo the inference you draw from that portion of Mr Macandrew’s statement relative to the 15 per cent, to be deducted from the 20 per cent, allowed to Counties for County purposes, with which it is intended to construct a portion of the main line of railway between Waitotara and Inglewood. Now, Sir, as I take an interest in the welfare and advancement of this County of Patea, I am excessively anxious to know if the Public Works Minister thinks the Waimate Plains are in the Taranaki County, when he says it is decided to specially give 25 per cent, of the proceeds from sale of these lands to the Taranaki Harbour Board, but thinks, in consequence of the said territory having been acquired at such aJieavy loss of blood and treasure to the whole’ Colony, it is only just to expend a portion, viz., 15 per cent, (of the 20 per cent usually allowed for local imnrovomeuts) upon the construction of a portion of the main line of railway, for the benefit of the Criony. As the Waimate Plains are really in Patea County, and as the Taranaki Harbour Board gets 25 per cent, of the proceeds of sale thereof, it can hardly be supposed that Taranaki will get an additional 20 per cent., and Patea onlj 7 5 pci cent., as would be the case after deducting 15 per cent, for the railway, if, indeed, such is the intention. Under such an arrangement, the matter would stand thus—Taranaki, 25 percent, from proceeds of Waimate sale, and 20 per cent, from their Comity land sales, and their railways constructed out of public funds, and Patca 5 per cent., the remaining 15 per cent, being expended in constructing a railway for the benefit of the whole Colony. I sincerely hope I have misunderstood the meaning of that particular part of the statement, but as reported, it docs not appear at ail clear to mo what is really intended —I am, &c.,

VIGILANS Carlyle, August 30tb, 1,878.

[Note —Wo fear no other construction can be put noon the words used. That is not the worst of it, for Patea can only claim 20 per cent., or as it will now be 5 per cent., from what remains after deduction from the whole,- of 25 per cent, for New Plymouth Harbour.—Ed. Mail.]