The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1876.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 102, 1 April 1876, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1876.

As being within a few days of the anniversary of (in' establish;,n.ml, of this journal, and as tins is ’the hist issue under its original pmpri.unr. it may not Be deemed out of place to offer a few remarks in eonimethin with Both. Prior to the Pati:a Maii, being published, tin l district was only heard of, or its wants made kimwn, through the correspomtents of tlu* "Wanganui or other papers, and their letters could not of course have equal weight or influence with a newspaper on the spot. The more intelligent portion of the community fully recognised this fact, and several of them made strenuous efforts to induce some enterprising journalist to come into the field. For some time they wore unsuccessful in this direction, and when at last a gentleman intimated his willingness, lie, coupled conditions, in the shape of cash down for his use before even starting, that the public did not care to comply with his demands, and the matter fell through. Shortly afterwards the present outgoing proprietor appeared on the scone, and was so satisfied with the promises of snppo.it accorded to him, that .the Patiia Mail was floated, and lias now completed the first year of its existence. The promises then made have been most honorably kept, and be' has every reason to be contented with his undertaking. On the other hand he trusts, and indeed feels, that during the twelvemonths’ past, (his journal has done some service to the community, and, what is more, is likely to bo more useful year by year. Any works needed, any grievances to be redressed, anything that lias required full and public explanation, have been dealt with, and commented on fearlessly and openly,and there is the satisfaction of knowing that the endeavours of this journal to push the interests of the district ahead have been duly appreciated by the only classes whose good opinion is of any value. Tin’s is shown by a largely increasing subscription list, not only in the immediate neighbourhood, but in other parts of the colony, and tin; circulation of this journal is now equal, if it does not exceed, that of any journal of equal standing in any part of New Zealand. The value of a newspaper to a district, in the present day, cannot be too biglily estimated, especially as nearly every petty place in the colony is now represented by the “ fourth estate”—places of infinitely less importance and with a much more humble future before them than Patea. A recognition of such value, we may fairly presume, has caused the public to be so liberal in their support hitherto, and we trust that in future the same appreciation may lie maintained-. The difficulties of inauguration are now over, and the new proprietor takes command with the ship sound in hull and spars, ami in good sailing trim. He is not unknown in this part. In conclusion, the outgoing proprietor thanks most sincerely those who have supported him so faithfully and effectively, and regrets

most deeply tliat business matter q of paramount nnpnrtarcc to himself, compel him to sever the very pleasant connection that have grownup between himself and them during the year gone by. He hopes that these will be, not only not weakened, but strengthened day by day, and, in handing over the reins to Mr A. lllaek, he feels sure that that gentleman will leave no stone unturned to serve the best interests of the district, and that he will speedly win the hearty esteem and goodwill of its Inhabitants. A local organ is especially at the present juncture an absolute necessity for Palea, but our readers must remember that such cannot be kept up but at great, expense, and that, to meet this, the same liberal support that the public hj. VC hitherto accorded must be maintained or increased. As a pure matter of policy and self-interest, the community will no don lit realise the neeed liberality in this direction, and, once more commending his successor to the goodwill of the people of Paten, the out-going proprietor, with sincere thanks for the past, wishes them a Jiual and respectfvl adieu.