HASTINGS NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1028, 18 January 1911, Page 5

HASTINGS NEWS.

The Hastings branch of the Hawke'a Bay Harbour Ratepayers', Association raej: on Monday night to formulato a policy in connection with next election. Candidates aro to bo chosen later. Thero was a satisfactory attendance (about thirty), and Mr. J. Garnetfc presided. Mr. Goo. Nelson, the well-known advocato of the inner harbour scheme, was amongst those present. A keen discussion ensued, during which it was evident that a largo section of the members still cling to the belief that the proper site for a harbour is at Capo kidnappers, .Mr. Nelson pointed out that to. raise this issue at the present juncture would bo unwise, as the. result would bo. to invite opposition from Napier ratepayers, whom it was desired to conciliate, and all to no purpose. Tho time for the Capo Kidnappers project, as a serious project, had long gone by. Several fishermen, however, testified to the exccllence of the Kidnappers' site as a natural shelter for craft of all sizes. Mr.- David Whyte moved to exclude tho Cape Kidnappers proposal from consideration, but this motion was lost by. a small majority. • Ultimately a thoroughly broad basis was secured for the association's platform; which was fixed on Mr. F. Cassia's motion as follows:—'"The investigation of the most suitable sito for a harbour, for HawkC's Bay." On the motion of Mr. Geo. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Whyte, it was decided that all candidates supported by tho association should be asked (o give an assurinco that they will not countenance any expenditure on new' construction which does not show satisfactory prospects of paying its way. Details of the approaching campaign were then gone into, after which the meeting adjourned.