THE BOAT HARBOUR.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 301, 14 September 1908, Page 2

THE BOAT HARBOUR.

Sir, —I noticed a local in this morning's Dominion about the boat harbour at Clyde Quay,.aud . now..that the subject, has beeu broached I think it would bo as veil to let the public know something about this boat harbour. I understand the cost oi construction was over £20,000, and it se?ms to mo to have been a terriblo waste of public money. As stated in your local, ,tho sheds are leaking, but . that is not all. - The. facts of the matter are that the sheds are built of ferro-concrete (both walls and roof) upon a concrete foundation, laid upon loos; reclaimedground, and, of course, the foundations are sinking and the large sheds are breaking their backs. One shed I was looting at the other day has cracked in three different places ; these cracks extending from floor to floor right across the roof, and the rain simply pours down. The sheds are also supposed to bo attached to the brick wall at the street end, but they have parted company with the brick wall, and the result can be imagined in rainy weather. The occupiers of tho "sheds" pay tlio Harbour Board rents ranging from £22 down to £7 10s. per annum, and although they have complained to the Harbour Board redamage being done to tho contents of the sheds, all the satisfaction they hare receivorl is a "promise" to repair, which has not been kept. Whoever was responsible for tie erection of these sheds should bo "hauled over the coals," as they are most unsuitable, having neither light nor ventilation. Ordinary sheds would have been far better, v and. not ono fourth of the expense. Tho Harboui Board promised to have tho dredge at work in tho boat harbour in six weeks' time from July 15 last, but that was only a "promiso." No doubt tho dredge will be in the boat harbour all the summer competing with the contractor's punts now in tho boat harbour, and the small boats can anchor outside. I think it is timo .the people interested. in aquatic sports woke up and made their' voices heard. —I. am,'etc., STILL IN THE WET. September 10. ■