THE SHIPPING TRADE.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1004, 2 March 1883, Page 2

THE SHIPPING TRADE.

The Patca S.S. Company, at their last meeting, decided to sell their new steamer the “ Waverley ” owing to the fact that np insurance can be got upon her for this port. The question of keeping open a sea communication: with the commercial ports of the Colony is one vitally affecting the town and district. That Patea is a safe harbour for vessels of from 60 to 100 tons is beyond a doubt, having been demonstrated: by years of trading. To this district direct steam communication is essential to the development of its enormous producing capacity ; and if we cannot have a fleet of-our own we must urge* upon commercial enterprise outside the advantages to be derived from connection with the district. The Union S.S. Company’s vessel, the Waihi, has been running to the Port for the past four months, and appears to be in every way suited to the river. The local agent, Mr Cowern, has.advertised a time-table which, if it can be maintained will be obviously of great importance. Now, if the U.S.B. Company would add this vessel and time-table to their Pocket Guido, making Patea one of iheir regular services they would secure to themselves a largely increased traffic. There would be the transhipment of goods and passengers from the other vessels, almost the whole of which comes via Wanganui at present, while the district would secure the boon of through freights and fares to. and from all parts of the colony. With snch a powerful company as the Union directly interested in our welfare, we might hope to see the completion of harbour works so urgently recommended by Sir John Coode, Mr Thomson and other engineers who have at different limes inspected the place. Their reports all show that success is certain, and would result in enormous advantages to ns as a producing and trading community.- We hope that we may before long see the Union Company boldly take up the Patea trade, and it would not be a bad thing ; if, they were to acquire the Waverley themselves. She has been specially built for the Port,

and is*even more suited to the entrance than the Waibi. [Since the above was in type, we learn that the Napier has been substituted for the Waibi-]