The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 362, 5 October 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1878.

Two of the Wellington journals—an extract from one of which was published-in last issue—have been crowing over the deletion, by the Waste Lands Committee of the General Assembly, of the endowment clauses of the Patea Harbor Amendment Bill, and scoffingly remark that nothing of the Bill now remains but power to borrow without endowments to offer as security. This is, to say the least of it, rather ungracious, coming from such a quarter, when it is remembered that Wellington draws its meat supplies —unrivalled in quality—almost entirely from the rich pastures of the Patea County. The completion of Harbor Works at Patea would make the river accessible to vessels of larger carrying capacity than any which have as yet ventured here, and would enable supplies to be placed in the Wellington market much cheaper, and in even better condition than now for the reason that the long and fatiguing journey now necessarily made by cattle could be avoided. It is not alone in cattle and sheep that benefit would accrue to Wellington by the completion of the harbor works, now so well begun, but an immense impetus would be given to agricultural pursuits, and produce of all kinds would find its way to Wellington from this County. Cue of the principal reasons for desiring to improve the navigation of the Patea River is that direct trade might be carried on with Wellington, an object which the business people of that city can hardly be indifferent to, and which the Press representing Wellington Interests should aid rather than discourage. There is no denying the fact that Patea is a wonderfully fertile district—its natural advantages are very great, as regards soil and climate. To turn these natural advantages to good account for the district and for the colony, but more especially for Wellington, it requires that a ready outlet by sea should be provided. Even this ad vantage has been partly supplied by nature. There is a river with deep water from near its mouth to several miles inland. At a very moderate cost, the entrance—the only drawback—could be so improved, as to ensure a depth of water of from 10 to 15 feet or more on the bar. There are few but what can easily understand the stimulus such improved facilities for navigation would give to production, and interchange of commodities. Fair sized steamers and sailing vessels could thou coma in and go out in safety at almost \ any time. The river Is narrow, hut deep, and never has anything in the f shape of freshes or Hoods of a destrncj live nature. Its hanks on each side for a couple of miles from and including the present Town of Carlyle, could, with very little trouble, be converted into wharves, and berthing accommodation be tbns given lor scores of vessels. There is a grand future before the district, but the population at present is small, and much at the mercy of the Government and Parliament of the country. Patea has experienced the horrors of war—its settlers have been several times driven from their homesteads. It has had to fight every inch of its progress, being coveted and pecked at on both sides, and little sympathy shown by communities outside who would largely benefit by the opening of its river to fair sized coastal steamers and sailing vessels. It has also suffered in the disposition of its lands. Patea has, indeed, need of all its natural advantages, for it is an incontrovertible fact that from the day Government commenced the settlement of the District, it has had to furnish “ endowments” for almost every purpose under the sun. This “ liberal” system was commenced by the giving away of 400 acres of the finest land in the District to sons of Bishop Monrad, who arrived in New Zealand just in time to be Gazetted to a company of Military Settlers, after the fighting was over, which appointments served as an excuse for giving them land, the immediate effect of which was, that a large portion of that Company which had served throughout the war, was thrust back into broken, wooded, and at that time absolutely useless country. Then thousands of acres were granted to Taranaki Military Settlers and Volunteers, Napier Settlers and the Defence Force. Then came the Turner grant, and a host of others, inolndmo - 14,000 acres for the New Zealand University. Now, the Taranaki people are to be allowed onefonrth of the proceeds of the Waimate Plains to spend on an undertaking which many of its popular men and well-to-do settlers do not believe in the success of, and oppose tooth and nail; besides which the County is to be robbed of another 15 per cent, of its Land Fund towards the making of a main trunk line of railway in addition to its ordinary contribution in common with other Counties of per cent, for railways. The last thing is that the Wanganui people, who had no difficulty in obtaining a Harbor endowment of 25,000 acres of magnificent land, are to take a thousand acres of the pick of the Momahaki land (Patea) as an endowment for a High

School forsooth ! Yet Patca is denied a few thousand acres of its own bush land, not worth as many pounds, in aid of an undertaking of moderate cost, reported upon favorably by distinguished Engineers, and pronounced by Sir John (joode to be one of the most promising harbor works in the Colony. This state of things almost passes the limits of forbearance, Yet it seems as if the plundering system of which examples have been given will only end with the means of perpetrating it, as a few months more must see the last of the waste lands of the District disposed of. We have Taranaki and Wanganui eager to absorb or fleece us, and in any case to clog our progress. The Government is doing much to cripple while the Assembly will not aid us or put us in the position of being able to help ourselves, and Wellington (as judged by two of its journals) which would most largely benefit by the completion of our Harbor, chuckles at our misfortunes. Fortunately Patea has some friends amongst Wellington journalists, who will no doubt see differently and act more for their own and our interests.