THE NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR WORKS. [FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 43, 19 August 1881, Page 2

THE NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR WORKS. [ FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]

Waitaba, This Day. A meeting of the oommitted of ratepayora, held yesterday, unanimomly ondorsod tho report of the Seloot Committeo in rol'orenco to tho New Plymouth harbour works, and carriod tho following resolutions in addition, for tho consideration of Parliament : —That the present intended breakwater is not identical with the harbour scheme advooatod by the ratepayers and carriod four years ago, it being then understood to bo on a more extensive scale , and to admit oooan steamers. Consequently a number of bondfide ratepayers who then supported it, now oppose the work being dono. That tho report of the committee has laid faots before tho ratepayers they had hitherto boon ignorant of. That Mr. King-, the ohairman, stated last night at a public meeting the present works wore only the commencement of greater works proposed to follow. This is not provided for by loan, and the ratepayers have no knowledge of funds for the purpose that the land fund yet to come has- boon far over-estimated, the bulk of unsold lands being next to valueless, consequently there must be heavier taxation on prodnotive lands. That it is unjust to tax Urenai, Tongaparutu, and Mokau, for a harbour for New Plymouth — Mokau, particularly, having a good harbour, with 14 to 20 feet of water om the bar. That Now Plymouth has no back country to warrant tho expenditure, and Waitara, Opunako, and Patea, with their proposed improvements, being ample for all trade for the next generation to come. That the construction of a "harbour of refnge" is not necessary, Kawbia being equal to tho largest vessels afloat, and ample for coast purposes between Wellington and Manukan, and not far distant from Now Plymouth.