The Patea Mail. Established 1875. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1882. CUTTING THE PAINTER.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 966, 1 December 1882, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Established 1875. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1882. CUTTING THE PAINTER.

T»is Feilding Star writes to the Hon. Mr Johnston to address his constituents, and remarks—“ If he declines this invitation, it may fairly be concluded that he has done with the Manawaln.” We are somewhat similarly situated with regard to our own member. About six weeks ago, at the first meeting held to consider Harbour matters, a resolution was passed to ask Major Atkinson to address his constituents. The chairman, Mr Sherwood, duly forwarded the cop?, and on October 30 Major Atkinson telegraphed from New Plymouth that, he was having a few days rest; that he was returning, to Wellington on Tuesday, and that he would then reply. Wei), that is a month ago, and no reply has yet been received. The “ few days r«st” have grown into weeks, and they in turn will develop into months if we choose to allow them. Political “ rest is known to be a great weakness with the gallant Major, and we may be sure from oast experience that he will indulge as long as he can. If we want to hear from him, then he must be stirred

np a little. His treatment of Patea in this matter has not been courteous by any means, and the people need feel no compunction in insisting upon him carrying out their wish that he should address them.

MR SHERWOOD'S DEFEAT. O ; Now that the excitement of the Mayoralty election has cooled down, we can pause for a moment to consider if the defeated candidate has not some claim upon our sympathy. Of all men in Patea he has perhaps been the most active in his endeavours to push the place ahead. And in many instances it cannot be denied that his efforts have been successful. He has sacrificed himself, so to speak, for the public good ; and as we hear that he intends retiring into private life, so far as municipal politics are concerned, we think he should not be allowed’to do so without some expression of opinion on the part of the public indicative of their appreciation of his work. Mr Sherwood has his faults, bat his worst enemy must admit that he has honestly striven for the advancement of the district to the sad neglect of his own interests. We heard it said the other day that Mr Sherwood must have done pretty well out of the public bodies with which ho has been connected so long. Curiosity induced us to make an investigation, and we found that the total amount paid to Mr Sherwood in connection with public matters during the last eleven years was but a little over £3OO. Taking away the Mayoral salary for last year, it will be seen what a “good thing” ho has enjoyed. We repeat that we should like to see his services recognised previous to his retirement, and it would be a graceful act on the part of his opponents to come forward and assist.

ARE WE TO ST A Y HERE ? This should be about the first question discussed at the meeting of the Farmer’s Club on Saturday. That institution started under the brightest prospects. There was a large roll of members—the bulk of whom forgot to pay their subscriptions ; comfortable rooms were taken and furnished, supplied with papers, and generally speaking “fixed up” in good style. The members of the new Clnb attended at first with praiseworthy regularity, some capital papers were rend, and the thing went on swimmingly. Lately, however, things have been going behind at the rate which is popularly known as “ sliding down hill,” which we believe means pretty fast. The rent has fallen into arrears some £25, and the members fight shy of the Clnb rooms as though they expected the landlord would pounce upon them for his money. One or two brave men visit the room and endeavour to look cheerful, but the effort must require the exercise of a deal of fortitude. Now, why is this ? Why should not the Farmop’o Olnb fnlfi! its place here as it does in other parts of the Colony. Much valuable information has been learned by fanners through the medium of Clubs elsewhere, and we fail to see why it should not be so in Patea. As it is, we owe the' establishment of the 051 and Fibre Company to the Club, for the project originated in their room. We trust that the Clnb will not be allowed to die out altogether. We believe that by an effort the outstanding subscriptions could be got in, and no doubt a reduction in the rent of the Club room could be obtained if the position of affairs were represented, to the landlord. Then we think that members of the A, and P. Association should be considered members of the Clnb, or even that townspeople should be got in. Anything to see the Club prosper, instead of being the dead-and-alive concern it now is.