ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 462, 27 September 1879, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

[We are at all times ready to give expression to every shade of opinion, but in no case do we bold ourselves responsible for the sentiments of oUr correspondents.] RUNNING the steamer patea. ( To the Editor of the Patea Mail.) Sir, —Will you please give me space tor a few lines which, in my opinion, concerns the welfare of the District, as well as the shareholders of the Patea S.S. Company. The Patea left here for Nelson last Tuesday week, returned and sailed for Wellington last Saturday,- and returned only to-day ( Friday)—in other words, she will have made two trips in a fortnight. This kind of running will not doi more especially as the weather during the last fortnight has been beautifully calm. I notice the Clyde has been coming in and out about every other day ; indeed, on one occasion lately, she came in and

sailed the same tide, only staying in Pori two hours. This little vessel has no such facilities as a steam winch, donkey boiler, &e., which are possessed by the Patea; and it seems to me that the P.S.S. Company have been put to a lot of unnecessary expense in procuring these Conveniences, which so far have been of little avail. It was with a view of giving the vessel quick despatch that induced the Company to purchase them.

Great dissatisfaction has also been expressed by live stock shippers. They say that from all appearances tho Company do not wish to encourage the trade. The question may bo asked, why ? Because the crew seem to think it too much trouble ; and lam also told they use verj improper language, and throw the stock about, as evidence that they do not want the bother of either taking them in, or clearing up after they arc discharged. With reference to the latter complaint, I was informed by a friend of mine,- that a shipper made use of almost for word what 1 have stated, and'ire (the shipper) also stated that he would not again deal with the Company, but would drive hia stock to Wanganui in preference. Something is wrong, of this lam quite certain, and in whom does the wrong lie ? If in the Directors, why I for one would suggest that they be asked to resign as a body.—l am, &c., SHAREHOLDER.

Patea, 26th September, 1879. P.S.—I might as well mention, too, that the Patea never gets any towing to do now ; will the Directors please state why ?

o PATEA STEAM SHIPPING CO. (To the Editor of the Patea Mail.) Sir, —Canyon inform me if the Directors of the above Company have gone to sleep. I thought the hint they received at the last general meeting of shareholders, re the running of the steamer oftner, would have been sufficient; but far from doing any good, matters in this respect seem to be getting worse. During the last two weeks the Patea has gone once to Nelson, and once to Wellington. She lay nearly four days sunning herself in Wellington on the last of the above-mentioned trips to that port, and this whilst Wanganui steamers were running almost daily —vide Wanganui and Wellington papers. Now, this may be all very good for the officers and crew, but it is a precious poor prospect for the unfortunate shareholders, who, like myself, look for a dividend. Can you also inform me how many vessels have been towed in and oijt during the time the Patea has been running to this port, for which the Company receive a subsidy of £3OO a year ; and if they expect the subsidy to be renewed ? Further, how is it that Mr Gear’n agent here has received instructions to ship no more sheep by the Patea than the balance (about 100) he has on hand, but to purchase in future near Wanganui, and ship by steamers from that port ? Is it not because proper facilities for shipping are not offered, and care taken of the sheep when on board and that the Company charges 2s 6d per head for freight of same to Wellington, whilst the Wanganui steamers charge only Is 6d ? This, I believe, was pointed out to the Directors by one of themselves, who saw the Wanganui steamers’ account, but his statement was not credited. As the Directors comprise our leading merchants, Bank managers, It. M., &c., I little expected such mismanagement as there appears to be. If they cannot do better, why don’t they resign ? And if the fault lies with their servants, why are they not supplanted with men wha will have the interests of the Company more at heart.—l am, &c., An Unfortunate Shareholder. Patea, September 26, 1879.