NELSON HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

STATUTORY MEETING AT WAKE-, FIELD. , ANOTHER CORDIAL RECEPTION, j The statutory meeting oi ratepayers at Wakefield in connection with the harbour improvement loan proposal on Saturday evening was very fairly attended, considering that it was raining, and that a summoned Oddfellows' meeting was being held at the same time. The audience j were representative and unanimous, and ! the explanati ,u of the plana was listened ' Iu with the greatest interest, the members of the Harbour Board who weropresent being accorded a very cordial reception. 1 Tbe members of the Board who at- J tended the meeting were Messrß Graham (M.H.R.) chairman, Mr Talbot (Richmond), and Messrs Webster, Finney, and Han by (city). Cr Franklyn (Waimea County Council), also a member of the Board representing Waimea County, was nomiaat- d presiding officer. Ihe Presiding Officer, in opening tho proceedings, d.velt on the importance of hrrbour improvement, and said the issuo had to be considered at a c untry meeting somewhat differently from the point of view of the town. In the town the tradespeople and others, even if rated, derived benefit from the expenditure of a large sum of money ; but the country people had to. be shown first that the possibility of a rate was very remote indeed, and nexo that they too would be the gainers by the expenditure. The Chairman of the Harbour Board would have to demonstrate that it was an almost moral certainty that a special rate would never be levied. That was the point which would hare to be emphasised in the country districts. But it would be clearly shown that evening that the ratepayers would never be called upon to pay one sixpence in a rate. It might be said that the promise made in the case of the Rock Road afforded a bad examplehut there was really no analogy between the Kocks Rpad and the harbour. In the matter of the Rocks Road the promise should never have been made. The road did not and could not earn any revenue unless a toll was enforced, it bad no assets, and it naturally absorbed funds in maintenance and repair. On the other hand, the harbour, or port, had an assured income, which there was a reasonable assumption would increase. It also had i assets which would be of very considerable value in time to come, and it could be clearly shown that the revenue of the port was more than sufficient to pay the interest on the maximum sum to borrow which authority was sought, and that yet a surplus of nearly .£IOOO a year would be left for current expenditure. (Applause.) What the Harbour Board said— and what he as a representative of the country people thoroughly believed—was that they never would be called upon to pay a sixpence, and that point should be borne in mind in considering the loan proposal. (Applause.) Finally, Cr Franklyn said that the opponents of improvement pointed to the difficulties and debt encountered by such places as Oamaru, Tituaru, New Plymouth, and Napier in their harbour schemes. But those towns had had to wrest a harbonr from the open ocean, while in Nelson nature bad already provided a natural breakwater between two harbours, Blind Bay itself being a harbour where vessels often lay safely at anchor for months at a time. (Applause.) There was absolutely no analogy between Nelson and other places in this matler (Aplause)— for Nelson was unique in its favourable conditions. All we had to do was to assist nature. (Applause.) In conclusion, Cr Franklyn pointed out the advantages the country people would derive from an improved harbour, not the least of which were the institution of freezing works, direct communication, and the consequent saving of freight on wool and other products. (Applause.) Ho then introduced the Chairman of the Board to the audience.; Mi Graham wasjreceived with applause, and detailed tho advantages of harbour improvement and the disadvantages of the present entrance, explaining the plans, stating ways and me<ns, showing the present danger, etc, as at the previous meetings. The address was listened to with deep attention, and frequently applauded. In conclusion, Mr Graham urged all ratepayers to vo:e on this important and vital issue, pointing out the duty they owed to themselves and to future generations. (Applause ) In reply to Mr Thomas, it was stated that the future closing of the present entrance to the harbour would make no difference to the extent or dept h of the deep pool within tbe harbour where the whole of the Australian Squadron could anchor. In fact, such closing would improve matters. To Mr Charles Baigent : The work of improvement would be completed in two, years provided no unforeseen delays arose. Mr Thomas proposed a v. te of thanks to the members of the Board for visiting Wakefield, and for the interest and trouble they were taking in connection with harbour improvement. The Board, he said, had no personal interest to serve, and they were working f.-r the common good. (Applause.) If the entrance to Nelson harbour became blocked, and vessels could not enter in safety, property throughout the province would deteriorate in value. He therefore hoped the loan proposal would be carried by a very larrro majority. (Applause ) Mr John Avery (Spring t Grove) seconded Ihe motion. He said he had landed 10 years ago at the very spot whore the cutt ing in the Boulder Bank was proposed to be made, and he was then told that any future new entrance to the harbour would be there. He did not wish to see Nelson degenerate|infco a mere fishing village owirg to the entrance to the harbour being rendered unnavigable— but this it would become if the proposals for harbour improvement were rejected. He therefore urged all tovo'eforthe loan, as a duty to themselves and to those who wero to come after them. (Ap plause ) The motion was carried by acclamation, and a vote of thanks to the presiding officer terminated tbe very hearty proceedings after tin*, poll on Monday, 16th inst., had been announced. Most of those present stayed in the room for some time after, arranging for the poll on Monday, and cordial offeis of assistance were made at Wakefield as at Richmond. The members of the Board left thy township with many hearty handshakes and a fate .veil cheer, rcturnm-; to tuwn at about 1 a.m. The; first of (he auxiliary meetings of ratepayers in the country will be held at Brightwater this evening. As usual, the Chairman and several members of the Harbour Board will be in attendance. ■ Tho formal announcement of the poll on Monday next appears in our adver- I tising columns, with the polling places j and other details. I