The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 372, 9 November 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1878.

The Inspector of Post Offices (T. Rose, Esq.,) was expected in Patea some five or six weeks ago. Ho did not, however,

turn up until lust week. Hud the date of Ills arrival been known, it would hare been a. favourable opportunity! tor a. deputation to have waited upon him in connection with several matters relating to the Post Office and postal business requiring attention. It will be recollected that on the 12 th October, a deputation waited upon the Patea Postmaster asking that the inconvenience attending the closing of mails, on the night preceding the departure of the coach might bo remedied by the mail being kept open until within half-an-hour of the time of the departure of the coach, as had been the case when the coach left Carlyle at 10 a.m. The time ot the departure of the coach having - been altered to 8 a.m., it was pointed out by the Postmaster, that this would necessitate his commencing business at seven o’clock or soon after seven o’clock in the morning, as he was compelled to be about to deliver the mails to the coachman, and as there were two evenings in the week when ho had to be in attendance from 7 o’clock until 10, 11, or 12 o’clock, to receive Press messages, it would make his business hours cxeessivley long. The deputation satisfied with the reasonableness of the representations of the Postmaster, did not press the matter further. However, after consideration, Mr Long, with a desire to meet public convenience as far as possible, offered to make up a supplementary mail half-an-hour before the departure of the early morning coach. This was understood to be a temporary arrangement, ponding the clcision of the Inspector of Post Offices, then expected. It now appears that the Inspector has been and gone, and has not been officially interviewed by any deputation, though wo have but little doubt but the matter referred to was mentioned to him the Postmaster. A suggestion was made by us, when recounting the result of the deputation, which we are inclined again to press forward, in the hope that the attention of the authorities will bo drawn thereto, and the plan adopted. It is that a box for the reception of late letters may be attached to the mail coaches, as is done on railway trains, into which letters for Wanganui or places further afield could be placed. Letters could be thus posted up to the actual time of the departure of the coach, the condition being that a late letter fee, in the shape of extra postage, would have to be paid. We believe that if this plan were adopted hero, and in places similarly situated to Patea, that it would prove a good source of revenue, as well as a public convenience—besides which, it would very materially lessen the working expenses of country offices, and avoid the necessity for the attendance ot officers out of or beyond the usual business hours. Had this matter been properly represented by a deputation, we are inclined to think that the Inspector would have seen its desirableness, and have agreed to recommend the Postmaster General to take steps for its adoption. There is another matter in which a deputation might have proved useful, and that is in pointing out the inadequacy and general unsnitableness of the present Post and Telegraph buildings. A clean sweep away of the old buildings is required,—patching and altering has been indulged in, until the whole affair has become a sort of straggling mystery box. With the residence portion of the buildings the general public have nothing to do—though of course better accommodation is desirable, if only for appearance sake. The present edifice might have been deemed proper when miserable temporary shanties and canvas coverings were considered equal to the importance of the place -as residences. Circumstances have changed. Fairly presentable buildings have sprung up in all parts of the town and district, and buildings are now in course of erection which give evidence of solid material progress and confidence in the future. The population, too, has very largely increased of late, and there has been a corresponding increase of business at the Post Office, as well as of ordinary commerce in the town and district. The present Post and Telegraph Office is a low, straggling, pal try-looking structure, with match-box like rooms, ill-ventilated, inconvenient and miserable, and draughty in the -highcsl degree. Any further patchwork or alteration of present building, can only result in increasing inconveniencics either to the officials or to the general public. What is required is entirely new buildings on a larger scale, and provided with conveniences suitable to the present and immediate future requirements and importance of the town and district. Such is the dnaughtiness on breezy days of that portion to which the public have access, that it is no common occurrence for letters, on being passed over the counter from the Postmaster to the receiver, to bo blown on to the floor, whilst telegrams and money orders, or light papers of any description, have frequently to be chased all over the room or passage, or to be patiently waited for until the up-in-air evolutions have been performed, and a lull in the draught allows the papers to come again within reach. Had the Inspector happened to be here on a breezy day, the necessity for now buildings could not have failed to have been impressed on him. Apart from the extra inconveniences in rough weather, the general unsnitableness of the buildings for business or residential purposes should have been apparent, and we Lave no doubt that any influentially signed requisition from the inhabitants or leading men to the Postmaster-General for new buildings will, at any rate, be backed up by a recommendation from the Inspector of Post Offices, who ought to bo able to vouch for the accuracy of the statements herein made. We trust that as the opportunity of waiting upon the Inspector was missed, that other steps will be taken to call the attention of the Post-master-General to these matters.

Ox Wednesday evening last, after usual office hours, Mr G. F. Sherwood (Chairman of the late railway meeting) received telegraphic reply to copy of resolutions passed at Saturday night’s meeting, which had been forwarded to the Minister for Public Works. The reply which will be found below, cannot be deemed other than satisfactory, and wc believe and trust that the intention therein expressed will bo carried out. A very short time will show as regards the surveyors, and once instructions are issued they will no doubt avail themselves ot the knowledge of local men as (o practicable routes. Mr Macandrcw says that the “ Government’s groat desire is to fix upon whatever will, conduce most to public interest.” It can very easily be shown that it will conduce most to the public interest for the main lino to run through Carlyle, and that the Government will be large gainers by commencing a portion of the work from the Patea Elver, to connect with harbour and shipping facilities which will bo shortly available to a greater extent than, heretofore, on account of the deeper water given through progress made with the breakwater. By starting from Patea River, all the material could be shipped in small craft or steamers and landed at the starting point, and thus a long and expensive overland journey would be avoided, and an immense saving in cost and time effected. To the north of Carlyle—and it is in that direction, to connect with New Plymouth, that the first efforts should bo directed—very little in the way of expensive bridges will be required. The line being in progress from Wanganui, material for some distance past Wavcrley could be most easily forwarded, as the lino advanced, from Wanganui. North of Carlyle would bo best and moot economically served from the Patea Paver. Immediately the formation was in progress, rails could bo laid, trucks put on, and the line used to carry material inland, or bring sleepers and other timber from the bush. There is every possible inducement for Government to carry out the promise lately made—to commence a portion of the main trunk line from Patea. There would be a considerable saving of time and cost, and the line as constructed, could be turned to profitable account, besides which greatly enhanced value would be given to the Waimato Plains, Momahaki, and other Crown Lauds which will soon be ready for sale. If, the Hon. Mr Macandrcw only gets the right grip of the position,, be will unhesitatingly decide to start railway works at Patea. The following is a copy of the reply to resolutions. l! Wellington, Gth November, 1878. “ G. F. Sherwood, Esq., “ Patea.

“ Lino surveyed was located after careful exploration, and is believed to be the best line. As surveyors are in the district, however, they will be directed to make further examination of country, and trace out another line, with the view of comparison. Government's great desire is to fix upon whatever will conduce most to public interest. “J. Macandrew.”