Untitled

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 370, 2 November 1878, Page 2

The N.Z. Times report of Proceedings in the House of Representatives mentions the bringing on of the second reading of the Financial Arrangements Act, by Mr Ballauce, on Monday, upon which “ The Hon Major Atkinson objected to the revenue of the Patea County being taken for the construction of a branch line.of railway between the Mountain Road and Opunake. He spoke strongly against the Injustice of absorbing the funds of a poor County which had had to suffer from war, while the branch railways in rich Counties in the South Island were constructed out of Loans.” The same journal of Wednesday, containing report of proceedings in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, states, — that the Bill was read a second time and committed. After further discussion, the “Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed.” As proceedings in committee are not usually reported, it is not stated whether the objectionable clause was deleted in committee. If Major Atkinson’s protest was unheeded, then, in spite of the direct assurance to the contrary given by Mr Macandrew to Mr Fox, Patea stands to be robbed of the 15 of - the 20 per cent, laud revenue which should come to her intact. In connection with this we may add another to the broken promises. But lately, the assurance of a member of the Ministry was given to a Patea gentleman, with a request that it should be made known, that instructions were then about to issue for the survey of a portion of the Main Trunk Line, to commence from Patea. Surveyors are - now at work within the County, but they appear to have no intention of coming anywhere near to the County Town. They hare passed along from Waverley to Whenuakura, Kakaramea, and on to Norman by..* It looks as if there is no intention of surveying even for a branch line- If we are not misinformed, no instructions have been given to the surveyors (in spite of the assurance given by a member of the Ministry, that Patea would be the starting point) for them to do other than proceed on the original line, which will leave the only Port within the County clean out in the cold. We are pleased to observe that a public meeting has been called to protest agpinst such a stupid

line of action. It would appear that Government are determined to do all possible to prevent a line through Patea being turned to the best advantage. We have so frequently alluded to this matter that we need only call attention to thq fact that a meeting has been convened (on requisition) by the Chairman of the Carlyle Town Board to take action with a view of inducing Government to fulfil promises made. ,There, should be.no mistake about the protest. We regret that longer notice cannot bo given, but prompt and vigorous action is requisite.