ADMIRALTY HOUSE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 152, 28 June 1901, Page 8

ADMIRALTY HOUSE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —As publicity has been given to the letter of Admiral Beaumont stating that the Admiralty had not approved of the new Admiral's House to be erected by tho Auckland Harbour Board, it would be well that the public should know that explanations were given at. the Board meeting with regard to the letter. It appears that Admiral Beaumont had had no knowledge, official or other, of the proposal to erect the new house until his arrival here. The cablegram sent to him in Sydney did not reach him there. He was entirelyunaware as to the ways and means for building the. house, and with the true official instinct in the absence of full information, wrote, the letter disclaiming responsibility. When it was explained to him that the. Admiralty assumed no financial obligal tion in the matter, that there always had been an Admiral's house in Auckland, that his last two predecessors had approved of the proposal, 1 hatAdmiral Pearson had approved of the plans, that the whole cost was to be, borne by the General Government and the Auckland Harbour Board, then His Excellency stated that that placed an entirely different complexion on the matter. There can be uo doubt that the Harbour Board is acting wisely in erecting a new house, especially as two-thirds o fthe cost is being paid by the General Government. All naval officers agree in stating that Auckland's position as the New Zealand naval station will be immensely strengthened by having an up-to-date residence for the senior naval officer for the time being.—l am, etc., W. J. NAPIER. June 26, 1001.