Patea County

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 287, 31 August 1935, Page 19

Patea County

Patea was the earliest district in South Taranaki to have a county council. for it was the earliest, settled. The area administered by Patea covered to the slopes of Mount Egmont, from the Waitotara River past Stratford and almost to Opunake, the boundary to the west being the Taungatara River, two miles from Opunake, out to the east to Omoana and all the country lying within these radial points. It was a huge district, and must have taxed the energy and resources of the early councillors. In the course of its 57 years’ history the county has done a great pioneering work and reference to it is fittingly included in the history of the borough. The Patea County laid the foundations of the counties of Hawera, Eltham, Stratford, Walmate West and Egmont. The first meeting of the county council took place on January 4, 1877, and the members present were: Messrs. T. Kells (who took the chair), J. Kenah, G. Bridge, G. Sherwood, J. Winks, A. Middlemass, F. Hoheyfleld, W. Dale, F. Cowern and J. Livingston.—D.R.H. (Wanganui).