The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1879.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 389, 8 January 1879, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1879.

Af/niouuii no advertised notice had been given, a public meeting was held at Wa verier on Tuesday week, to urge on Government the necessity tor completing the railway lino to that point. Our correspondent omitted to mention what sort of an attendance there was. As many of the leading settlers were present, we are inclined to think there must have been a full meeting. There can bo no two opinions in this County as to the urgent necessity for the completion of the railway line right through from New

Plymouth to Wanganui. Wo are pleased to see that Government—as evidenced by intimation given to the contractors for the Inglewood to Stratford line of intention to enforce penalties failing the completion of the line by contract date—are tally alive to the necessity of reliable through communication being secured at as early a date as possible. We should be pleased to record the calling of tenders for still another section. The preliminary step is, however, being taken. Purveyors are now engaged laying off lino, the

roiito of which was previously nmlocidiitl. \Vc iv.'iliy think Umt the agitations throughout tin; County have hud much to do in hastening this preliminary stop. The advent of surveyors lias led to further agitations in eacli of the settled townships. None care to be left out. in cold. At one time, it looked likely that Tlawera would not be tapped. About that there now seems to be no doubt—the line will pass cither through or quite close to Hawera. At Waverley, what may bo said to bo a big light has taken place. Landowners seaward of the main road have spared no efforts to get the coast route adopted. Others—inland owners—of course, desire the inland line. Another parly, having strength,

tiro fluxions for the town to he tupped, even though the cost may thereby be increased. We could not but rejoice with Hawcra when there were good grounds for believing that the railway would run throneh or on the outskirts of that town. We are of opinion that ail established townships should be tapped, where practicable, even though the cost should be increased. Wo shall therefore be pleased to hoar that Waverley is not going to be left out in the cold, though we are, scarcely inclined to go th • length the Chairman of the meeting on Tuesday is reported to leave gone, by staling that “it would be better to wait two years, and have the line through Waverley, than to have it completed at once in another direction.” We do not of course know the precise meaning attached to the words “ another direction.” If it simply means the passing of the line inland or

scjAvnrd of Wavcrley—however much ave might regret the adoption of one or the other course—we cannot agree with the speaker. Wc should indeed bo sony lor Wavorley to be deprived of the

advantages of railway communication for another two years, and should prefer cither the seaward or the inland route, being adopted to none. Mr Bridge may attach some other meaning to the Avords. Carlyle has not been without its fears, and has moved to have its claims fairly weighed ami recognised. Carlyle lias not moved in the least against railway

Avorks north or south being carried on. Its residents are equally anxious for progress to be made to lluAvera from Now Ply mouth, and to Wavorley from Wanganui. Those lengths being in .hand, its settlers would then desire, to see the inteiweiiing gap made And have already moved to aid both HaAvera and Wavorley, by urging the commencement of a section from Carlyle, The advantages of this

proposition must bo apparont to all who are able to rise above purely petty localness. We know there are landowners who would make as it wore little kingdoms oftheir own particular holdings, and as pertiuacoously as the proverbial

Scotsman fought, with but ‘ saxpenco’ in his pocket, when attacked by throe highwaymen —so would they %ht against anything which did not immediately benefit their own little plots. Seeing no direct personal benefit, they would sacrifice everything and everybody else, and would step out of their way to damage a real or fancied opponent.

A section of railway being started from Carlyle would enable material to be brought almost to the centre of the iaoav unfinished gap. EA-ory chain of line as made, could be utilised in the transport of material—thus the expense of consti action Avonld be lessoned, and a vast saving of time effected. If to Waverley Avas first started, then Wavorley would bo first beuefiltod. If to HaAvera, then

that and intermediate place's. We see no reason why a section Wa verify ami Hawera-wards could not be in operation at the same time. Without detailing at length the advantages of starting from a sea-port which will shortly bo in direct steam communication with the chief ports of the colony, and which lies midway between the uncompleted sections of the railway line,. thus as a starting

point, both as regards saving in cost and time, being unrivalled, we cannot but express astonishment at the shortsightedness of .some Wavorley settlers in trying to damage Carlyle by advocating that the town should be skipped. Carlyle people are equally aware with Waverley residents (though the latter may not bo ready to admit it) of the extra expense which the proposed detour through Waverley would entail, through that route not being—from an engineering point of view—the. best line. They rave known, but have said nothing—believing, doubtless,, as we ourselves

strongly believe—that it is better for the cost ot construction to bo increased rather than that established townships should be left out in the cold. To say the least of it Wsivorley settlers in showing animus to Carlyle, have been indiscreet, altogether apart from the diirect injury which the adoption of their narrow views would do f hemsc!yes. Mr \V. Milne, and ail oi’simiiarmischievously dictatorial tendencies, would do well to heed what Mr Keuah and others said. They should be satisfied to do the best they can for their own places, without stopping out of their way to injure others. Wavurley was very ready to deal u damaging blow when the Pa tea Harbor Pill was before the House. Wo cannot leave this subject., without referring to the present menacing attitude of a certain section of the natives. Largo numbers from North and South, and probably from inland, are making- for Paribaka. Humour bath it that they mean to make a stand against the occupation of the Waimate Plains in other words, they mean to light. We hail very early intimation of what could only be interpreted as hostile indications —the wholesale selling off of anything which could lie turned into money. Wo deemed it host to say nothing likely to create unnecessary alarm, but patiently await the development of the movement. Whatever the object of the great gathering, it is pretty evident from their oulfit, that the majority of the natives going to Parihaka are prepared for a long stay. Wo can hardly doubt but what they mean mischief. Should it be so, the advantages of reai b r communication with the outer world from Carlvio can scarcely bo overrated, and the necessity for the best possible facilities for inland communication. In the face of present threatenings, while there can be no two opinions as to the necessity for the speedy completion of the through line from New Plymouth to Wanganui, there ought nob to be two opinions as to the usefulness of starting a section midway between the yet unfinished portions of the main line, which would enable lull advantage to be taken of the ready and cheap means of transport afforded by the Port of Carlyle. It is as well to the interest of Waverley as liawera, that Carlyle should be turned to the best advantage. We trust that the deputation appointed to wait mi Mr Macandrew, will not lose sight of the stratcgctic aspect ol the railway question: at all events Unit they will be content not to step out of the way to injure a near neighbour, by whose advance they will benefit. If “ another direction ” should mean the commencement of the line northward from .Patea, then again we cannot agree with the Chairman of the late meeting. There are graver considerations at stake now than for a long time past.

It is rumoured that the Wellington Waste Land Board lias decided to sell a portion of the Momahald Block, lately surveyed, all \vhieh is Avithin Patea County, and within the Local Land District, at Wellington. In another column Aviii be seen the result of land sale at Carlyle by the District Laud Officer on Saturday last. Every seel ion sold, for the most part at a good advance on the upset prices. This is tiie usual case Avith Government land sold at Carlyle. The district is well knoAvn, and during the summer is easy of access from all quarters, Persons desiring to settle on laud, and that is the class of men wc chiefly require, like to see it before purchasing. If strangers, they so time their arrival as to alknv of inspection of the land before the day of sale. Ther then know Avhat they are bidding for; and for this reason, and by the facilities afforded fur obtaining information at the District Land Office, good prices are invariably realised. It is a healthy sign that so many local men arc found competing for land Avilhin (lie Patch County. In spite of the fact that Paten County has been proclaimed a Local Laud District undei clause 24 of “ The Land Act, 1877,” together with appointment of a Laud Officer and Receiver of Land lievonne, and in the face of the fact that better prices have always been obtained here, for land within the county offered for sale, than cA*er obtained at Nmv Plymouth or Wellington, still the powers that bo are not satisfied. They ruthlessly" override Statute Law and every other consideration, for the paltry gratification of shoAving how much at tlmir mercy Patea is. It can be no gain to the re at mi o for Patea land to be sold other than at Patea, but the reverse, as better average prices are always obtained when local land is sold Avilhin the .Pea! Land District—at any rale as regards Patea land. Other important considerations bingo on the sale of this Momahaki Land, and avo think vigorous action should be taken- to call the attention of Government to the attempt now being made by the Wellington Land Board to override the provisions of the Land Act. Patea County has been proclaimed a Land District, there is a Local Land offco, aAA<I Officer, and every convenience for tlie holding of sales. Why then should Patea lands not ahvays bo sold Avithin the county ?