The Patea Mail. Established 1875. FRIDAY, MAY 18, 1888. THE WHARFAGE RATES.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1036, 18 May 1883, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Established 1875. FRIDAY, MAY 18, 1888. THE WHARFAGE RATES.

The re-entry of the Patea Steam Shipping Company into the carrying trade should mark a new ora in the progress of the district. The Shipping Company may bo credited with having done an immense amount of good to the place, and not a little harm. We all know how property rose and trade grew while tiro steamer Paten was running, and, unfortunately, we still experience the effects of her loss. The subsequent troubles which befel the Wakntu were not alone owing to the river. Competent judges said that the steamer was unfit to come into the river, and it vvaa like flying into the face of Providence to attempt it. She was persistently run, however, until she ran herself to earthy and nearly sent her crew to heaven. Hence, when it became imperative to take her off the trade, a great period of dullness set in. Deprived of their usual means of communication with outside merchants, traders on the Plains cast about for another route by which to obtain goods, Auckland held out a helping hand, and the result, is to be seen in the number of steamers now running' from that—port to Waitara. We hope to get back some of that trade by and by. During the past few months communication with Wellington has been steadily maintained by the s.s. Napier, and although we believe she has paid tolerably well, she could have done a great deal better had more cargo presented. With two boats running, therefore, we must have an increase of trade from somewhere if they are to be kept going, and to-the country we must look for it. There is no other source, of wealth in the district than that produced by settlers either by cultivation or grazing. Hence their interests are, or should be, the dominant ones, inasmuch as the prosperity of the town is subsidiary to the prosperity of the country. The Harbour Board, we are pleased to say, has recognised the importance of the farming interest and in the new scale of charges, about to be adopted, some very substantial reductions in wharfage have been made. For in stance, upon a bale of wool, fungus, flax, or sheepskins, the charge has been reduced from Is - 3d to 6d ; horses, bullocks, &c„ 3s to 2s; sheep, pigs, lambs, from 25s to 10s per hundred; grain,; seeds, roots, hops, fruit,flowers, &c.,,from 2s 6d to Is 6d per ton. Of course many more reductions have been made, but, it is nnnecessaryTo enumerate them here just now. What we wanted to draw attention to was the desire of the Harbour Board to lower the charges, and so attract the produce of the district to the port. In making these reductions, no more than justice has been done to the settlers, who have laboured long under great disadvantages." Now that some of the burden of heavy charges is about to be lifted from their shoulders we have confidence that they will see their way to extend their operations both in wheat growing and cattle and sheep. With, the new steamer the West Coast trade should be re-opened, and we should not be surprised to find ourselves in direct steam communication with Auckland before long. •We look forward hopefully to the future. The signs of the times, point to good valnes for stock of all kinds; grain growing in a large way has been successfully started upon the coast, and facilities for export will be forthcoming in the shape of two steamers in place of one. The railway will still further improve the prospect and prosperity of the district, and the only thing lacking will be some works at the Heads to maintain a safe entrance to the river. When these works are undertaken we shall have put a coping stone on onr progress, which, being founded on an intelligent farming community, may be shaken bnt never shattered.