SOUNDS MAIL-SERVICE.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 60, 31 July 1906, Page 4

SOUNDS MAIL-SERVICE.

MEETING AT NYDIA BAY. Mail matters have been revived at Nydia Bay, -where a meeting wasi recently held to consider the question of presenting a petition to the Post-master-General, praying that the present direct mail-service with Wellington be continued, with the addition that the steamer call at all Post Offices on the way up, as well as when returning to Wellington. Mr John Gould occupied the chair. Mr Paton opened the proceedings by saying that a movement was on foot to get a service by way of Portage, and it those who wish the-direct service to continue did not stir themselves they would be left in the background. Mr William Gould said that after his experience of the petition re the telephone question it would be a mistake to send the petition to different ■■-* centres unless someone went around with it. He therefore suggested that a launch should be hired and the petition taken round. 'All present agreed to this course. In order to expedite matters it was resolved to send copies of the petition to Mr Harms, Richmond Bay, Mr J. Henderson, Waitaria, Mr J. Gould Nydia Bay, and to Mr W. H. Smith Havelock. The Nydia Bay petition is to get all names from Tawera Point to Black Point, including Mahau; Mr Henderson to get Kenepuru, Manaroa, and prail Bay signatures; and Mr Harris to get all in Tuna Bay district. Bulwer, Beatrix Bay, etc. The settlers who favour this movement do not wish to interfere with those who wish to try for a bi-weekly service from Portage, but they are determined to try and keep the direct service with Wellington, as this service cannot do harm to anyone and will certainly be a great benefit to many. It is to be hoped there will be unanimous support. The question of freights could now be brought under the notice of the Government, and perhaps a reduction obtained. When Mr Hanlon (the Manaroa's shipping representative) was at the meeting at Tira Ora he admitted that some of the charges were out of all reason, and if settlers do not make an effort to get a reduction they can only blame themselves if freight continues in an unsatisfactory condition. TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —It is stated, and the source from which the information comes is reliable, that a very, small minority of the Pelorus Sound settlers are about to petition the Postmaster-General for a bi-weekly mail-service to the Sounds from Picton, via Portage: and, I understand, intend to suggest, as an inducement, an alteration in the running of the.direct mail-service by steamer to once-monthly* or even once * in two months, excepting in the wool season, or a withdrawal of the subsidy altogether. The requirements of the major portion of the Sounds settlers, to say nothing of those of Havelock and the surrounding district, do not appear to have been taken into consideration.

That any person who has not some private end to serve, or is well halanced mentally, can for a moment entertain the idea of getting supplies from .Picton, da Portage, with three separate oharges for carriage, as against the cheaper Wellington market with delivery by direot boat and facilities for getting produce into the Wellington market, is difficult to conceive. Yet our everyday experience goes to prove that there are people who, where the interests of a whole community are concerned, are incapable of weighing proa and cons if they clash in any way with their individual wishes.

One of iEsop's fables tells how an insignificant mouse once liberated a lion, and it therefore behoves the people of Havelock to* move in this matter, in conjunction with the majority of those in the Sound interested, lest"" it is found that a mouse has set in motion a retrograde movement detrjU . mental to the best interests of not only the Sounds but of Havelock and surrounding district. Also, might I respectfully suggest that the Havelock Town Board give this matter consideration at their next meeting.—l am, etc., Pbo Bono Publico.