GISBORNE HARBOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 27, 1 February 1921, Page 7

GISBORNE HARBOUR.

(To the Editor.) Sir, , —In a recent is;ue, quoting the Gisborne "Herald," you refer to the Maori legend regarding a sacred rock that stood at the mouth of the Waikanar Creek, Gisborne. There is ;Uso a pakeha legend of less antiquity that predicted I ill-luck for the Gisborne Harbour Board I works if the Board departed from the j plan laid down by Sir John Coode, an expert on the subject of harbour works, who visited New Zealand prior to any money being expended on a breakwater I at Gisborne. It would be interesting, though sadly unprofitable, for the journal above referred to to look up the old records anent the Harbour Board and compare the breakwater constructed with that proposed by Sir John Coode's I plan, which provided an "open viaduct." I Perhaps the lesson may be li-arned that ; whatever Government "bo in office, lncal j influence should not, in the expenditure j of millions, be allowed to operate ajrainst ' disinterested scientific knowledge.—l I am, etc., EX-MEMBER GrSBORyE lIARBOCR BOARD.