PATEA COUNTY MAIL PUBLISHED Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1881. BACK COUNTRY ROAD.

Patea Mail, 25 January 1881, Page 2

PATEA COUNTY MAIL PUBLISHED Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1881. BACK COUNTRY ROAD.

A small portion of the Pa tea East Road Board District lies on the south bank of the Whennakura river, so awkward of approach from Patea, that an attempt was made time back to transfer the collection of rates from Patea East to the Wairoa Board, but a satisfactory adjustment could not be bit upon. The distance from this over tbe-river portion by the route now available, to Patea, is about 17 miles, to Waverley about 10, may be a little less, but by following the road past Nicholson’s on the Whennakura block to a practicable crossing on the Whennakura river the distance is scarcely more than 7 miles from Patea, The settlers are not numerous in the portion of district referred to, but it comprises good occupiable bush land, and is being taken up, cleared, and peopled, and opens on to other similar class land occupied and in course of occupation. The produce for sale is small yet, but will soon assume marketable proportions. A few settlers three or more years ago showed a preference to Patea as a place of resort, and for trade. The 17 mile journey to Patea, however, as against say 10 miles to Waverley, proved no joke, and practically shut out the settlers from Patea, and Patea tradesmen from benefits which the shorter route would place within reach. Practicable bridge sites may readily be found. The difficulty would be to find cash for constructing bridge. The Road Board has confessed itself unequal to the task, and beyond Nicholson’s, the country being rougher, seem not to have troubled much even about a road line. A punt was suggested formerly, and with the greater need now existing for ready communication with Patea the punt idea is still worth consideration. It is probable a punt might be procured on reasonable terras from Patea. There are several on the river, one at any rate, idle for a long time, should shortly be again at liberty. Settlers are desirous of the shorter route to Patea being made available to them. A punt would answer present requirements, and persons who know the route profess to know an excellent and convenient position on the river where a punt could be worked. Patea now offers advantages for trading scarcely dreamt of between three and four years ago. There is regular and reliable communication by sea with the chief ports of the colony, in fair sized steamers (larger steamers will come when trade offers), and freights are moderate. The new wharf, connecting with cattle yard, affords safe and ready facilities for shipping every description of stock or farm produce. Twelve months should see available the still greater facilities for sea borne and inland trade which the wharves and railway line on the Whenuakura side of the Patea river, now under construction, will give. The continuation of the line from Waverley to Patea must prove advantageous to all Wairoa, and it will be to the advantage of Waverley as of Patea that back country should be readily accessible. The more back settlers, the more produce and general trade, and the greater the value of land. Settlers in the locality referred to having decided leanings towards Patea for purposes of trade should be no cause of jealousy to Waverley, nor is it likely to be. At present the settlers are practically isolated. A seven as against a seventeen mile journey to the port of Patea would give increased value

to present occupied holdings, promote settlement, and benefit inland country further back. The opening of this route is a pressing need for the settlers, would be directly beneficial to Patea, and an advantage to Wavcrley by pressing settlement more and more on its back country. There happens to be a river-side section of land, where the punt would require to be placed, still held by the Crown ; and hardmouthed as Government has proved, a statement of the case, accompanied if possible by a recommendation from the local land officer, should lead to the section being set aside as a ferry reserve. It would then be easy to get a resident puntman. Settlers interested should matte inquiries about punt, interview the Road Board as to connection by road, and communicate with Government about the land—get in fact all particulars, and any possible concessions, and be prepared to act whenever favorable opportunity arises.