HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIV, Issue 1022, 14 April 1857, Page 3

HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

To the Editor of the Southern Cross. Sir,—l again feel called upon to answer the Superintendent's Editor on the subject of the wharf extension. In last Wednesday's * New-Zealander there is an article in which the Editor endeavours to prove that because a wharf can conveniently be built at Dunedin it mutt necessarily be the same here. In that article he proves nothing but his own ignorance on the subject. The first thing to be considered in all harbours is protection; when our harbour, for small craft and the present pier, is protected from the north-east gales •which do more or less damage etery winter, it will then be the time to consider upon the best means of giving "better accommodation to large ships in discharging their cargoes'. Onr present object should be co give protection and better accommodation to the coasting, colonial, and boat trade of the port, which is by far the mo*»t important ; and the worst provided for, large ships being periectly safe in the harbour of Auckland. The c»se is very different at Dunedin. There all •vessels that can go up to the Town are perfectly safe, protected from all winds, and can lay alongside of a wharf without the risk of damage; as in the Tamaki, at Panmure, where a wharf is much wanted. Ido not object to wharves where they can be protected ; as I have stated in a former letter, they are more convenient; but in Auckland they require protection from the north-east gales. Therefore, if it ia necessary to construct one at present for the accommodation of large vessels, it should be at Point Britomart, because one ■wharf would then protect the other, and"'endless confusion at the tramway terminus of che present wharf would be saved by having two wharves instead of one. The same extent of wharf would reach deep water from the point as from the end of the present wharf, and fresh water could be brought from Official Bay to supply vessels. This question after all ought to be considered as a £ s. d. matter. Will the present trade of the Port, supposing twelve .thousand tons of goods to be landed on an extended wharf in the year, save to the Province even the interest on the money that must be sunk in its construction ? I believe it would not; it must therefore be a very bad speculation—and one that the Superintendent would not enter into with his" own means. I admit my regret at not having had a finger in the pie, as the Editor calls it, because if my advice had been taken, long before this time Auckland would have had a safe and convenient harbour tor all vessels under two hundred tons ; and fur the money that has actually been thrown away on temporary inefficient works, some of •which are left half finished. The Editor of the 'New-Zealander hints that the opponents of the Superintendent in this matter may have what is c ailed a shingle loose; I regret that I cannot put so mild a construction on the conduct of the Superintendent. Your obedient servant, W. F. POBTHR. April 11,1857.

To the Editor of the Southern Cross. Sir,— The 'New-Zealander of the 28th ult. reports the transactions of a "Meeting at Otahuhu." "Mr. Dixon said he had a resolution to propose, which hb would read and leave in the hands of the meeting. It was to this effect, resolved,— " That the conduct of the Speaker of the Provincial Council, Mr. Bvtley, in being the principal barrier to Provincial legislation, merits marked condemnation, and that this meeting affirms that it can place no further confidence in his decisions." In my opinion, the Speaker was not in «ny wise a "barrier to Provincial legislation ;" and further, that .the Superintendent was its sole barrier. Mr. Buckland said.— "The resolution which had been moved and seconded pledged the meeting to condemn the conduct of the Speaker, or otherwise as the meeting should think beat (hear, hear). With respect to the Superintendent there was no other course open to him than that which he had pursued." Just the contrary is true. The Superintendent was not under any obligation to issue a new writ, as has been shewn'abundantly. The Superintendent might have adopted the course of suffering the Council to decide without his interference. Again, Mr. Buckland said, — "By a series of manceu■venngs on the part of Mr. Carleton (The Devil on two sticks) an adverse vote had been given against the present Government. That vote had been carried by the minority." This statement also is incorrect. "That vote" was carried by a majority of that House, which consisted of nineteen members. A House of eight members would have been competent to do that which the House of nineteen did. The eight would have been a judicial tribunal, with power to decide the case ; which, having decided, its functions would cease, leaving it powerless at a future period to rescind its own Act. Nor could the whole House rescind that Aut, except by a violent and palpable act of injustice, which would form & very dangerous precedent; so at least it appears so to me. Again, Mr. Buckland said,— "The Speaker had silenced the representatives of the people by his tyrannical dictation." This statement appears to me to be both malicious and false. I have known Mr. Burtley about twelve years, and never till Mr. Buckland spoke it did I hear of his "tyrannical dictation." During the last session of the Provincial Council I have witnessed that persecuting conduct of the Executive and their abettors which would have worn out the patience of twenty other men, all of which he sustained and replied to in the most mild and courteous terms, which caused many to wonder at his inexhaustible fund of patience. Again, Mr. Buckland said, — "He had calmly considered the matter, and had made up his mind never to sit in a future Council with Mr. Bartley as a Speaker." Fore-warned fore-armed, I hope the Province will be able to find another person equally able and willing to serve it. That which Mr. Buckland has furtjrer said about the lawyer and his brief exhibits its own character. Yours truly, G. Vaile. April 9, 1857.

To the Editor of the Southern Ctost. Sir, — However much may have been said with regard to incapacity, dodges, &c, &c, of the late Board ofWorki, all I have to say is that, as a contractor, I would like the public to know a little of the dodges that are being Carried on in the present office — much to the detriment and injustice of those who have to travel many miles to " obtain the necessary information (as they say) at this office Hardly are many tenders called for, and one sided speciUcations given for perusal to different persons, than addi-

tion' and alterations are made to please our worthy friends! How often have we seen the advertisements withdrawn about the day of tendering, and then the same tenders re-advertised 1 Flow often have we not known contractors to have placed Weir tenders in the box ; to have their tenders opened in due form; and, without rhyme or reason, 10 and behold, fresh tenders are called for in the papers, even after the contractors had made known the prices at which they had tendered. It is a singular fact, but nevertheless true, that the ' New-Zealander generally gets a few more insertions than the ' Cross.' The day for accepting tenders so happens, that Mr. ' Southern Cioss' 11 minus. However much may have been said about reductions of salaries and saving of the public funds, the public can testify to Johnny's promises, which, .ill like pie crust, are made to be broken. If one clerk's salary is reduced, there are 2or 3 new situations formed nnd filled up i"t>Canter, at higher rates of pay, and no doubt much to the saving of the public purse. No. 1 example will suffice for your present perusal — viz, the Road Surveyor's Office, for which office it was stated that the Provincial Council did not consider it necessary to have a clerk. Jti this true or not ? Some say no. Mr. Cunningham filled that office with perfect satisfaction to the Superintendent and the public. He not only filled that situation, but also was seen on duty from 6 «.m to 9 p.m. both in town and country. The duties of the two situations devolved upon him, at a salary of £150 or £160 per annum, for which they are now paying: — Ist a clerk at £200. 2nd Mr. Tom £200. 3rd Brennan. Query, how much ? Middlemas. Query, how much ?j Where is the reduct : on of the establishment ? I candidly must admit, Mr. Editor, that at present, contractors can get no information — no satisfaction — from that office, and even when there may be any money due to them, there is so much shuffling, so much fuss, that they are compelled to return over and over again before the accounts can be found correct. What with the ignorance, bounce, and conceit, which are being displayed, I request of you and the public to go and see if what 1 have stated be incorrect. Yours, &c. A Close Observer. April 13, 1857.