THE COUNTRY INLAND.

Patea Mail, Volume X, Issue 1315, 2 March 1885, Page 2

THE COUNTRY INLAND.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —A few days ago a paragraph appeared in the Mail stating that a deputation had asked the Mayoi ,v 6f Patea to call a public meeting to consider ways and .means for : ,siiryeying, w the. country, at the back of us. The matter seems to have been allowed to rest there, probably because the course proposed was hardly the right one ; except from the one point of view that whatever affects the surrounding country must also affect the town, r It seems to be the unanimous opinion that it is high time steps were taken to acquire a better knowledge of the country behind us by survey or otherwise ; and my object in addressing you,is -to point out that the proper machinery for effecting it is, or ought to be, the County Council. It is no answer to say there are no funds for such a purpose. County Councils in other parts of the colony are doing great work in opening up the country and developing its resources, and in promoting settlement; in some cases by means of direct grants obtained from the Government, and in others by inducing the Government to put on surveyors to lay off roads through their respective districts. Then why is the County of Patea apparently at a dead stand-still as regards such important matters. It is much to be feared that our county machinery wants sharpeningup and the liberalapplication Of grease to its wheels. If the County Council would show something like energy,: arid tackle the Government in a proper manner, we ta might stand a chance of seeing the district opened up and roads penetrating to interior; but so long as its members continue fast asleep, whilst other parts of the colony are successfully scramblingfor public money, Patea must be content to remain out in the cold.—Yours, &c, Settler.