THE DOCKS.

Evening Star, Issue 4438, 21 May 1877, Page 1

THE DOCKS.

/to utf. tikiiUtr Sir, —As one that is watching this Question with great interest, I do not know which to admire most, the selfish notions of the memorialists openly expressed, or the opposition with which they are opposing the Harbor Board scheme. The first move of the memorialists was to get the docks removed entirely to the south of Jetty street. This I believe they have entirely abandoned. When they found that by having the docks beyond Jetty street the goods railway station would extend from Rattray street to a little beyond street—entailing the closing of Jetty and. Police streets—the cartage then would have to hud access to Princes street either by Manor street or Rattray street. The second proposition was the utilising the steamers’ basin both for steamers and PLome ships, and have the goods station between Rattray and Jetty streets. This has been abandoned ou account of the Engineer’s report, and as the goods station must go beyond Jetty street. b Then we find one of the members of the Harbor Board, who had openly expressed his opinion with respect to the memorialsti’ demands, move at the Harbor Board meeting that the site for the docks be brought south, so that the south side of the docks come to Stuart street. This was, as he expressed, a middle comer, which he thought would suit all parties. But, sir, this does not meet the views of Bond street, that actually they had the assurance and bad taste to wait on Mr Ramsey (as they expressed he was the merchants representative at the Board) and urge him to have them removed farther south and as far south of .Stuart street as possible -as if that gentleman would not g!ve his vote as his conscience dictated. I trust Air Ramsay will show that he will vote as the interests of the City deserve, and not to suit a few selfish men. «, If T> eVer J t l lere was a rin S tHis is one. By the Board sanctioning their present proposal the south side of the docks wi uld have a frontage to a large line of private property, burely none of this land belongs to the agitators ; if so, nothing more requires to be said, as the proposal will speak for itself. Still, sir. where is the Board's endowments to come uom it the most valuable portion of the Board s property, that is between Rattray stieet ana Stuart street, is done away with? It will materially cripple the working of tLe Board, and large dock dues means the public paying more than they would have otherwise bone had the Board its proper income fiqm the endowments. Mr Chapman clearly pointed this out in his address to the Board m opposition, so that things remain as they were. Although merchants pay the rates in tue first instance, it is placed on the value of the goods, and the whole population of the Colony must refund it. I trust, sir, that the Harbor Boaid will take a farm stand and carry out the views best suited to the wants of the town, looking neither to one opposition or the other, but do their duty boldly and without rear. -1 am, &c , Hot Bokd Street,