THE FERRY WHARVES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 65, 17 March 1915, Page 7

THE FERRY WHARVES.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—To say that I was amazed to read that the chairman of the Harbour Board IMr C.unson) had proposed to hand over to the Devonport Ferry Company an exclusive lease of the ferry wharves is but mildly to express my feelings at the prospect of such an outrage being perpetrated on the people of Auckland. I cannot but think Mr Gunson made a recklof-s and unguarded statement, or intended his remark as what was certainly an ill-timed joke. In the first place he had no authority whatsoever t:> make an "offer" of the kind referred to, and 1 feel satisfied that if so ridiculous a proposal were seriously brought before the Harbour Board it would be at once contemptuously dismissed. Nearly twelve years ago a henchman of the Ferry Company on the Harbour Board tentatively mooted a similar suggestion, but it was scoffed at. and the idea has never been resurrected until now. To lease the wharves to the Ferry Company would indeed secure the latter in the possession of an unassailable monopoly, and make the citizens of Auckland and the northern shores of the J harbour the company's slaves for ever. I have strongly supported Mr Gunson's administration of harbour affairs since 1 ceased to be a member of the Board, and have not criticised occasional errors because 1 recognised that he had energy, and. notwithstanding his entourage, was, on the whole, a progressive man. But if he now attempted to impose on the citi- | zens so reactionary and suicidal a policy as the lease of the people's wharves. I ,am sure there are thousands who would I support mc in using every effort to prevent so great a disaster, and the result, which 1 would sincerely regret, would be Mr Gunson's exclusion from public office. The people may for a long time be apathetic, hut when any attempt is made to sacrifice I heir vital interests and sell their liberties to a close private monopoly, it is not difficult to arouse them and sweep away the originators of dangerous proposals. 1 am not going to say anything about the new ferry wharfage charges, but they must lie sup- j ported if they can l>e without the intro-' duction of ideas of ferry control worthy of the dark ages.—l am. etc.. W. J. NAPIER. i