The Patea Mail. Established 1875. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1883. THE NEW YEAR.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1132, 31 December 1883, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Established 1875. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1883. THE NEW YEAR.

The year which closes to-day will long be remembered ns one of unusual depression, not only amongst the community, bnt throughout this whole colony. When the history of Patea comes to be written in the distant future by some local historian, 1883 will be referred to as the period of bankruptcies and bad debts, depression and departures, and other evil things, which swept like a wave over the district, and left a strongly marked course behind. Gradually the depression lias crept upon as. It commenced with the beginning of the year which is now passing away, and became intensified as months rolled

on. We need not refer to the causes that have led to the “ downfall ” of trade here. They were various, and might bo traced one by one back to the time when certain affairs in connection with a building society first commenced to be talked about. Were it our desire, we could weave the story of the past twelve or fifteen months into these columns, and black enough it could be made to look. But there is nothing to bo gained by doing so. Business people here have had enough to remind them that they have been trading in a sort qf fool’s paradise, so far as giving credit is concerned, and they are not likely to forget it. In this respect, the year 1883 has probably taught a useful lesson, and that not alone to people upon this coast. The credit system has killed many a sound business, many a promising enterprise. Crush it we cannot; but lot us in future keep it well in check, lest, it kill us too. The less of credit is given in Patea in 1884, the sounder and more prosperous will the town become. Oilier useful lessons will no doubt be learnt from the season of adversity. Prudence and economy stand forth as essential, helps towards regaining prosperity, and their adoption by public bodies will reflect beneficially in other quarters. Self-reliance too, has, wo arc glad to note, shown good evidence of vitality. Local enterprise has given ns a handsome and suitable steamer for the trade of the port. It has also staffed ns in the great Meat industry, the benefits of which none can yet tell. Industries are our great want. We want them in order to bring population to the place, to fill our houses. In no other way that we can see, can the life and activity-of the place be restored. One or two attempts to establish local industries have been made during the year, bnt failure lias to be recorded. The tile manufactories, for instance, would have been capital moans of employing labour and keeping the population together. But from some unaccountable cause they have not turned out as was anticipated, and have involved the promoters in loss. In Mr Smith’s case we had considerable confidence that be would succeed. Many of the pipes from his kiln were good enough for anything, and yet now we are told that the clay is not suitable for pipe making. We cannot understand why this was not discovered before. If bis manager or whoever was responsible for the' manufacture of the pipes had known his business, surely it would not have taken him a year or more to tell whether certain articles could be made or not. For our part, we believe that the pipes could be made if there were beads and hands who understood the work. If we might offer a suggestion to Mr Smith, it would bo this : Send a couple of tons of clay to Christchurch or Dunedin, and have it tested in one of the potteries there. The result will be conclusive ; either it will pay to go on, or it will be a waste of money to do so. It would be a satisfaction to know which is the proper course to pursue. Better late than never, although it seems to ns that the material should have been tested in this way at first, before a shilling had been spent in erecting buildings or obtaining machinery. But industries we must have, be they never so small, if progress is We would urge once more the formation of some simple Association, wherein these and kindred matters could be discussed. Hawcra hasher Chamber of Commerce ; why not Patea ! A Chamber of Commerce would, afford the very opportunity we are desirous of bringing about, because its members would meet together to discuss their mutual welfare, and such an important subject as local industries could not be overlooked. We hope this will not be lost sight of.

The corning year seems of brighter promise than its predecessor. The “ weeding ” that has been going on lately mrtst have a beneficial effect in the end by making trade sounder. Soundness of trade means confidence, and confidence means an easy money market and extended business. During 1884 we shall see our Freezing Works in operation. That will give confidence to the farmer that he will have a market at command. We also hope to see the Oil Mills in full work this year. This industry is really a most valuable one ; its worth will be understood by and by. It is “ under a cloud” just now, but that will be cleared away in time, and we feel sure the Oil and Fibre Company will yet be a source of congratulation and profit to shareholders and the district -at large. This is not the popular opinion we know, but it is our conviction, and we stick to that. Some of these days, at the right time, we will go into this question and show the grounds upon which we have based our opinion. Let it pass now. Also let pass away as far as possible the dismal recollections of this dying year, its troubles and losses and disappointments ; let them be buried, for already they are dead. Let ns look forward brightly with hope, and a determination to recover lost ground ; to assist each other in developing our district and town until it occupies that pride of place amongst its neighbours that Nature intended. Some little sacrifices may be necessary, but if energy and good feeling ore shown, assuredly our readers will have, as we now wish them, A Happy and Prosperous Year.