ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 464, 4 October 1879, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

[Wk are at all times ready to give expression; to every shade of opinion, but in no case do we hold ourselves responsible for the sentiments of our correspondents.]

PATEA S.S. CO. (To the Editor of the Patea Mail.) Sib, —In your issue of the 27th inst.,. I noticed two letters in reference to the P. S. S. Co., and 1 must say that they do little credit to the writers—and I am sorry to think that among the shareholders there should be such men, that when, the steamer is detained a conpleof days in pdrt by stress of weather or the act of God, they must needs rush into print to ventilate their feelings. From the style in which “Shareholder” and “ Unfortunate Shareholder ” write, I am led to believe that they have a spita against some - one in the Company, and they are not men enough to come forward in a manly manner and state so before the Directors; and moreover, I feel convinced that the writers compose part of the Board of Directors. They state that the Nelson trip gave satisfaction, but the detention at Poneke was uncalled for, and that there has been nothing but sunshine for the last fortnight in that place. Where did they 'get their information from ? for it is a? well-known fact that for the last fortnight it has been the roughest part of the winter—nothing but rain and gales. Again, the writers forget that the Patca is the smallest steamer trading out of Wellington ; and do they for one minute think that this little steamer can go out and in, in alhweathers, the same as the Union 8.8. Co.’s vessels ? From their style of writing, one would think so. I am surprised to think that the writers would for one moment compare a thing like the Clyde to the s.s. Pa tea. Regarding live stock, the statement is a disgrace to the writer; and if such can be proved, why not discharge the offenders at once. .

“ Unfortunate Shareholder” winds up with advising the Directors to resign unless they can do better—that is. make wind and weather suitable for the Patca. My idea is, that the sooner the Directors buy out this “ U.S.” the better, as such shareholders as he is were the cause of the ruination of the Wanganui S. N. Co. Again, a thought has just struck me—is not “ U.S.” some poor d- who is frightened to meet the 4th, and wishes to realise; if such is the case, he can easily dispose of his shares. In conclusion, if the Directors placed the vessel in the hands of a competent Manager, with a decent salary,to manage the vessel, and so have a Board Meeting, say, once a month, and the Manager to have sole control, without the interference of any half-bred sailors or engineers, I feel confident that the Company would turn out one of the best investments in the colony.-—I am, &c., ANTI-HUMBUG. September 29tb, 1879.