PATEA COUNTY MAIL PUBLISHED Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1880. WEST COAST RAILWAY.

Patea Mail, 4 September 1880, Page 2

PATEA COUNTY MAIL PUBLISHED Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1880. WEST COAST RAILWAY.

The Government consented to the insertion of a danse in (he Railway Construction Bill as follows :—“ The Governor in Council may enter into arrangements with any person or company willing to carry on and complete the construction of a railway from the City of Wellington to the Manawatu River, or to the crossing at Paramatta, in the Porirua Harbor, on such terms and comditions as he may deem expedient; and may grant, convey, and assign to such person or company all such lands, rails, bridges, plant, and other material as have been purchased or acquired on behalf of her Majesty for the purpose of such railway: provided always that this Act shall not authorise the Governor to guarantee or authorise the payment or expenditure of any money not voted by the Legislature for the purposes of such railway.” This practically authorises the construction of the line from Wellington to Porirua by a private company, who may stand in the position of the Government in all respects as to powers and privi-

leges, except that the capital shall come from private sources. That connecting link once made, the Government would have to purchase it eventually. The present intention is to carry the line to Porirua harbor. That would give a direct run to Patea harbor by sea, avoiding the rough passage round CapeTerewhiti, so objectionable in the transit of live-stock to Wellington ; and a large traffic would ensue between Porirua harbor and Patea or Wanganui, especially before the through railway is completed south of Foxton. That long link of line between Foxton and Porirua may remain unfinished many years, the country being in native hands. The traffic would, in the meantime, find its way by the most direct and cheapest route, and that would be by rail from Wellington to Porirua, and by sea from that sheltered harbor to Patea harbor, thence across country to Waitara and Manukau.

This West Coast ought to be the natural and constant feeding-ground for Wellington, Patea being the only district that can keep stock in good condition throughout the winter. Taranaki has now to depend on Patea as a feeding ground. In fact Patea stock should and would control the whole market if only facilities were made for shipment at low rates in a larger class of steamers than those plying to Patea hitherto. Convenient wharfage for shipment ought to be supplied within three mouths from date, and it will then be to the interest of shipowners here and elsewhere to develop the cattle trade. Competition should reduce freightage to a point which will enable Patea farmers to compete at any stock market in the colony. The conditions which will enable this to be done are being realised one by one. The river entrance is now safe in all states of weather. It will soon be lighted for night traffic. The cattle wharf is in course of construction. The Coast railway is being pieced up slowly but surely. Other steamers and ships arc likely to use this port in proportion as the increasing settlement on the coast tends to devclope trade both ways. A railway between Wellington and Porirua harbor will be a great advantage to Patea district by opening a quick and cheap route for a through line of traffic. We must be patient, and “ peg away.”