The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 60, 6 November 1875, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1875.

Tim Local Steam Navigation Company’s

scheme may he said to he now fairly launched, and it rests with the local public, not only to support it themselves, hut to commend it to all who may be connected with them in business, in this or any other province of the colony, it has long been admitted that a boat of the kind was absolutely necessary to the progress and advancement of the Patea district, and now, as all things are in train for procuring it, it is to be hoped that every one will warmly forward the enterprise. We would specially point out that it will be a direct benefit to every resident in the district, whether producer or consumer, and everybody is either one or the other. It has been urged that the steamer at present trading here is sufficient for all wants, and tliis may be true if people are content to pay double freights on a very large proportion ot the goods they use, and if fanners and stockowners are satislied to sell their crops, cattle, sheep, A'c., for ft great deal less than such a boat will enable them to realise. It must he remembered that the company s vessel will not trade to Wanganui alone, but will go to Welllington, Nelson, and tiic West Coast of the Middle Island. The last will afford au excellent market tor produce of all kinds, whilst return cargoes of coal will yield the company a handsome profit, and be a great convenience to the public, by supplying that mineral at a moderate price. From Wellington and Nelson, goods can bo obtained direct from the importers, and landed here without having to run the gauntlet of Wanganui freight and wharfage charges, in and out, which, as a matter of course, the consumers in Patea must ultimately pay- As our readers are doubtlessly aware, stock vessels, both steam and sailing, arc t.Oll ai/Aufclj- running [turn Waugauui U> Nelson and the West Coast, and a highly lucrative trade lias sprang up between those places. If the Patea stock raisers desire to sell, they must at present perforce send their animals to Wanganui, at both loss and expense, whereas, when the new boat is in working order, they can transport them, at comparatively trifling cost to Nelson, Westport, Grcymouth, or Hokitika, where ready sales always can he effected. Hitherto, Patea has been almost wholly dependent on Wanganui for supplies of all kinds, and it is strange, inasmuch as it possesses a port of its own. It is true that this may not be quite as good as might be desired, but, iu all probability, the Government will do something towards its improvement, especially as a small outlay will have a very marked effect for the bettor. Even if these works be delayed a little, a vessel, with proper power and of light draught, can always so time her trips as to enter and leave without difficulty, even with the river as it is now. it follows dearly, them, that it is to the direct and special advantage of farmers and landholders to support the new venture, as it must bo the interest of the mercantile section of the community, who will be able to procure goods in direct markets, on better ternss, and at less cost than at present. Buck being the ease, every one should take as many shares as Ids circumstances will permit, even if there were no chance of direct profit being realised, for all must benefit indirectly from the local boat- This is taking the worst side of the question only, but wc cannot see how a speculation of the kind can fail to be remunerative on its merits. It will open up direct trade that must prove profitable, ami connect Patea with markets at present closed. All holding shares will secure as much freight as possible for the boat, whilst the West Coast trade alone will assure a profit to the company. All that is necessary is to act energetically iu prosecuting the scheme, and it will assuredly prove a success. The names of the provisional committee are quite enough to guarantee so much, and we hope soon to hear that steps for the purchase of a suitable vessel arc taken. The payment of calls is extended over a long period, and there should be no difficulty iu getting off a'mneh larger number than, by the prospectus, it is proposed to issue.