THE SHELTER SHEDS.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 115, 16 May 1895, Page 4

THE SHELTER SHEDS.

TO TKB EDITOR. Pir— So muoh has been printed on one side of this question that it may not be amiss for a townsman to ask a hearing for the other Bide. And if the strong feeling that certainly does exist on that side has found little publio expression, it is partly owing to a prevalent though erroneons notion that it is of little use to write to the press in distinct opposition to pronounoed editorial views. Oar Scenery Sooiety has, in its first publio action, made a grave blunder. It has taken a side in what ie to all intents and purposes a political movement, and has gone wholly outside of its supposed functions. Is this ißsthetio body really anxious to see a urinal, flanked by a few sickly shrubß — which will die direotly their roots touch the salt water — immediately in front of the Poßt Offioe? This is apparently Mr. Seddon'v idea of " scene y " — is it theirs f Muoh that has been Bai'd about the structure is either nntrue or exaggerated. The sheds are not " hideous"— they look exactly what they are intended to be, without any pretence of Italian or Swiss ornamentation; they are not open to the prevailing winds, as anyone who passes underneath the roofß may prove for himself ; they have not rendered necessary a railway-crossing keeper, for it was only by inexcusable negleot that suoh an official was not appointed from the first day that the raila oroased the Queen's Wharf ; they will cut off no view on either side, for the foundations are already laid of a high brick structure in their rear, whioh even King Richard cannot interfere with. That potentate has no love for the oity whioh threw ont all his nominees at tbe late election. He has a grudge against the two local bodies who have .sp far successfully resisted his scheme to deprive the city of a valuable reserve. He has bided his time, and now sees a "chanoo of clearing off three old scorea at' one stroke. He further threatens to out the Wellington Town Belt into " terracea." Wellington folk, to judge of his artistic ideas, have only to look at the Parliament grounds, whioh, at the expenditure of many thousands of pounds, he has stripped of every vestige of their natural beauty. Moreover, tho sheds are just where they are moai required. Are we again to have Grey-street and Customhouse-quay obstructed? Aro the vehicles still to range, as at present, unsheltered and forlorn, at the side of the Harbour Board offices p Or are they to go where Mr. Seddon suggests, somewhere near the Publio Library— a quarter of a mile from tho Wharf -to the grievous inconvenience of the public and the ruin of the owners 7 It is odd to see how certain folk already assume that the sheds must comedown, just because Mr. Seddon sayß so. Had there really been any breach of faith, as he now allege*, he could have interfered at the right timewhen the work was first taken in hand. To say that he was ignorant of the existence of a building which has been in progress for many months before his eyes is, well, a Seddonism. It wonld bo worth while to hear the views of the express and cab proprietors. They are left out of th 9 question altogether. I .was sorry to see how our worthy Mayor "gave himself away." He should know the nature of tho Premior's feeling toward Wellington, and might have displayed a little back one. I hope that both looal bodies wi.l make a stout fight for the oity's rights. t here aro some ;83000 ol ratepayers' money involved, and it is worth while. The Premier is great ut " bluff," but if the matter is fought out he kuowa well that ho has r.ot a lei; to stand on 1 know, Mr. Editor, tbat you hod altogether opposite views to these, and for thxt very reason I believe you will give this letter insertion. lam, &a., Lxo. [We never refuse insertion to any properly ■ written letter dealing with public questions because the views it advocates do not agree with our own. Our correspondence oolumna are always open to the advooates of both Bides of any suoh question so long as they write fairly and temperately.— Ed E P.]