Harbor Rivalries.

Patea Mail, 15 May 1882, Page 2

Harbor Rivalries.

New Plymouth is not satisfied with three steamers calling in a mouth.Extensions ofc the, railway: to Hawefa is or ought to be increasing the trade of .New Plymouth, and the.long intervals between Steamers is .becoming a grievance. One importer complains of the , Union‘Company’s “cursed monopoly,” and says that country storekeepers now prefer, the risk;of bar rather than import' goods' through Nbw Plymouth. The real explanation of this preference is that, bar harbors ar® safer. • and cheaper than shipping by way of* New Plymouth; for the few steamers which call at that place have the risk of rough weather in an open roadstead, whereas a bar harbor is at least a safe refuge.; In * fide weather •; the short breakwater at New Plymouth will be" nsefnl as a landing stage at high tide; but that will .befits and ,a limited use itiCis- v - f sh' penditure. j The Taranaki community are unfortunate in their harbor business. Jealousy is; a thingTofftTie past so faf'ap'' Patea is concerned; for the worst ha's been done that can be done towards handicapping this harbor, and the grievance need not induce ill-will, now.that the tapping of this district* by'railway will soon be met by the facility being Equalised. We hope.to See an increasing trade at New Plymouth and at Waitara, the only condition being/that the increase .shall be legitimate, anß * •‘j “•' • ? ■ l .] ; ■ not snatched as a temporary advantage at. the expense, of a port li£e,. Patea., The railway is a leveller, and will soon give equabfacilities to all harbors along the Coastr When that is done, Patea harhdr will do the trade of a large district by reason of cheapness and regularity. ? Cpunaki will a part of the Plains; but New.-.Plymouth will have no ? chance, of; getting trade further s i outh i vantages get fair-play, j eadi harbor do the trade of.its;own district, .Ur.",;'- : , . * j /it 11 j withont foolish rivalries and-hopes that are vain. ..