COUNTY MEMBER.

Patea Mail, 23 August 1881, Page 3

COUNTY MEMBER.

I think with Mr Bridge that an attempt should be made to get at the real opinion of the Waverley settlers on the subject of County representation. I believe that within a few years, when the railway runs to Patea, and some fresh blood, bringing competition amongst merchants, has been infused into the Patea trade, the whole of the Waverley business will be transacted through that port. For (Ist) unless Wanganui can make the harbor safe and convenient for ocean-going vessels, it will pay better to ship from Patea to Wellington with 9 miles land carriage than from Wanganui with 32 ; (2) that even if Wanganui port can be made suitable for such vessels, I very much doubt if the trade of this coast would be sufficient inducement to ensure regular communication with Home at a rate of freight which would compare favorably with that now paid under the present system of transhipping at Wellington. Vessels are almost always sure of return cargoes at the latter port, it drains such an extent of country, and consequently freights are lower and consignors more certain of at all times securing a speedy shipment of produce, a benefit I need not enlarge upon. At present, even if a railway was open to Patea, it would pay us better to get goods from Wanganui (I judge by Patea price lists), but I have no doubt that such a state of things will, before long, be altered by competi-

tion, and merchants will find that small profits, with a frequent turn-over involving a large trade, will pay them best. - I do nut agree with Mr Bridge that we have to thank our representatives for what has been done in this County. I think the credit is duo to the native difficulty. Little persuasion was required to secure the vote of Southern members for any reasonable outlay on this coast —in fact considerable sums have been voted and never expended—when the unanswerable argument was brought forth that ever}’ pound was another nail in the coffin of this their hete noir. Any one who knows the country is aware that a railway from Patea. northwards was more necessary to accomplish this end than those now constructed, As matters are now, New Plymouth drains the northern and Wanganui the southern end of this County. I ara not prepared to blame our representatives now or in future for any laches on their part as regards this district. They are bound to consider the wishes of the majority of their constituents, that majority being in each case outside this County ; but I very much deplore the miserable local jealousy that seems to exist between town and town, district and district, throughout the colony. This district, or rather County, is now, and is likely to remain as long as wc are misrepresented in the House, in the position of the man who being between two stools finds himself, to use the vernacular of my country, “ nately hung up on the flu re.” I fear this will be the result of the *• Patea Harbor Endowment Bill,”"for the motive power which gave life and energy to harbor matters in this County is silent enough now, killed by local jealousy and political animosity. Many a pound has been, and many £IOO will be saved to this County by the exertions of Mr Sherwood, exertions which have never been fully recognised. Will the member in charge of the bill be prepared, as Mr Sherwood has done, to spend his time in and out of the House in urging the just claims of Patea and the soundness of its harbor finances on members publicly and privately ? He cannot, even if he were so inclined. My apology for writing at such length is that I consider every elector is responsible, as far as his vote and influence go, for the proper government of the state ; and that his neglecting to use such is a plain dereliction of duty. John W. Kenaii. Waverley, Aug. 17.