DIAMOND HARBOUR.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19332, 9 June 1928, Page 17

DIAMOND HARBOUR.

TO THE EDITOB 07 THE PBBSB. Sir,—l would like, with your kind permission, to take this opportunity or replying to the remarks made by the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr F. E. Sutton) at the recent meeting of the Council with regard to the statements made by me, which appeared in The Pbess Jubilee Number. These . statements were not, as stated by his Worship, an attack on the present Council or any previous Councils, but an honest attempt to further the interest of Diamond Harbour settlement, and the ratepayers of Lyttelton in general. Further, I am quite prepared to take .ray share of the blame that may be atributed to me or past Councils. The statement that I was a party to the leasing of the unsold portion of the land for grazing purposes is perfectly correct, as I consider that this is the proper course to pursue, until the land is required for settlement; but 1 have always maintained that in the interests of the ratepayers of Lyttelton, this land should be disposed of at the first opportunity, and with the approaching electrification of the Lyttelton Tunnel there will undoubtedly be a big growing demand for sections. I am pleased to see that my remarks have done some good and that the Council at its last meeting decided to have a further subdivision pegged out., I have never had the idea, as stated by Mr Sutton, that 1 would have the whole of the land cut up into sections, but that every opportunity should be given to intending purchasers to acquire sections. I feel sure the Mayor and Councillors need have no fear of the success of further sales, but on the contrary may be agreeably surprised at the resutls. Mr Sutton enquires why I did not push this question during my term as Mayor. But I challenge him to deny that until recent years the Council were antagonistic to any progress being made in Diamond Harbour. As a matter of fact the Estates Committee were utterly opposed to do anything- in Diamond Harbour except the barest necessities, except it was in the interest of picnickers, who contribute nothing towards the outlay. I have, always voiced this opinion in the Council: "That it was high time the Council looked upon Diamond Harbour as part and parcel of the Borough of Lyttelton and treated it accordingly." lam sorry for the Mayor if he cannot take a little criticism in the spirit in which it "is given. From his recent utterances it appears as if he was suffering from an attack of nerves. When he has spent as many years in public life as the writer he will probably be able to take a few knocks without making mountains out of molehills. In conclusion I would like to say that any statements or criticisms made by me have always been made without fear or favour, and what I consider to be in the interest of the community at large. —Tours, etc., W. T. LESTER. Lyttelton, June 7th.