THE CLAIMS OF MECHANICS' AND FREEMAN'S BAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 67, 21 March 1898, Page 2

THE CLAIMS OF MECHANICS' AND FREEMAN'S BAYS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—You ask, " Where is the advantage of joining the two schemes ." The obvious answer is that both nuisances will be abated at once and the inhabitants of both sides of the city satisfied, whereas if Freeman's Bay drain receives attention and Mechanic's' Bay does'not, a natural feeling of unfair treatment will be created in the minds of many people who have borne this nuisance until it has become intolerable. . ,

! You say that the Government h primarily responsible for the condition^. Mechanics' Bay, and that they tacitly*i" mit they are responsible for remedying the , t nuisance which they caused. This is not the ease, the Government admit no responsibility for the drainage on ,a-<!ount: of the reclamation, and it is only because the Hospital drainage falls into Mechanics. Bay that they were induced to put £1.500 on the estimates towards the Mechanics ' Bay extension. This £1,500 is still aviul" able and herein lies the necessity for an-.-mediate action. Mechanics' Bay is filling, in rapidly. If anyone doubts it let him walk across the bridge to Wynyard Pie?, and see what is going on, and in the next few months the Government will patM,, fully 10,000 cubic yards of earth from_tn«'_ railway works at Parnell tunnel. .This ■-. work is already commenced, and when itis> finished Mechanics' Bay will be as ne«v reclaimed as Freeman's Bay is now. Y°a are kind enough to say " That the'condition of Mechanics' Bay is a disgrace,.«» again "We quite agree with Mr Thornes that the one nuisance must-be remedied as well as the other. Then why delay commencing this work ? You fear that frew issues will supply the Board with additional excuses for getting rid of itsi P' 81" obligations, but it appears to me that v the Harbour Board wanted any reason in reply to criticism of their action in voting a sum of money _ for sU°j a purpose, the argument wnic °. carry greatest weight would be thai iw money was intended to purge the aeav traps at the same time, and if ever v City Council did an action which worn justify them in increasing their oWW»; it would be that action which &«f«rZ sweep away both nuisances, and ww would merit the praise of every o°*"*^ I would that the Stab had a. earnestly insisted on this double refoim as» they na condemned it; I should have had htue iwj for the result. No doubt tkej^ they think wisest, but if the result, shouia, be that the eastern death trap is W* aa present, then there will be thousands »m will doubt the wisdom.-I 91 Queen-street.