HUTT RIVER SHINGLE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 14, 17 July 1923, Page 8

HUTT RIVER SHINGLE

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —I have read the letter of the chairman of the Hutt River Board, published in your's of the 27th June. In reply to his remarks re "Star Chamber methods," as already stated, I leave them for others to reply to if they wish; I have my opinion. In reply to his remark, "If correct why did ho (and other business firms) not avail themselves of the oppor-: tunity open to .anyone during the last two and a half year 3of either making tho 100 per cent, or reducing the price by a like amount." The chairman of the board, Mr. Strand, was asked at a public meeting, "Would tho board lease the dredge to a private company, giving it a lease for 21 years"? The chairman answered, that ho was opposed to all monopolies.

I was advised that a company could Viave bran formed to purchase or lease the dredge from the board if they would have granted such a lease. But, as it was against monopolies,, nothing was done. The members of! the lato board were advised that the supply of gravel to Wellington was- falling off; and in a few years the whole of the requirements of Wellington would have to come from the Hutt River. With this information before them they went in for the dredge considering that tho gold mine that is in the Hutt River should go to the ratepayers of the Hutt district—not to private enterprise. This accounts for my not taking- any action.

When the chairman' of .the board referred to the increase of revenue durinff th© last two years, why did ho not state that a large portion of the increase was caused, by the present board increasing j tho price of gravel and sand by 200 per | cent. ? If any storekeeper had advanced the price of his goods by 200 per cent. I i fancy the Board of Trade would have had- [ something to say. , This is what I call profiteering with a vengeance. . Will the chairman namo the firm- who had a monopoly of the river shingle when the present board took office? We will see the dredge on the river some of these days.—l am, etc., ,„„ . , H. BALDWIN. I