The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY MAY 9, 1927. A BAD BARGAIN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10392, 9 May 1927, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY MAY 9, 1927. A BAD BARGAIN

The harbor ratepayers have now had the news officially broken to tliom with reference to the unfortunate position of affairs at the quarry at Whareongaonga. What is rovealed serves to support what were previously regarded in some quarters as merely wild rumors. It is remarkaide, too, that quite a number of the members, at the special meeting on Friday night, accepted the fact of the unsuitability of the quarry with perfect equanimity. In short, the disclosures had the effect of at once reviving party warfare on the old, vexed question of inner versus outer harbor. For a long time, it has been quite plain that a section of the Board has viewed with alarm the proposal to go on with outer harbor works. Rightly or wrongly, the viewpoint - has been suggested by them that outer works are beyond the means at the Board’s disposal. On this matter, we would, however, point out that the Board really has not much choice as to what it shall or shall not do. The .Board, it would seem, must protect the entrance to the new harbor, whether it likes it or not! Assuredly, the Board has now landed itself in a most wretched plight. Nothing much would bo derived from contrasting the latest geological report on the quarry site with its more optimistic predecessors. The amended views expressed are sufficient to show that the whole transaction amounts to a very bad bargain. As far as can be seen, it should now give the ratepayers a substantial shock if it turns out that the £30,000 or so- expended on the works at Whareongaonga requires to bo wiped off as a loss! Seemingly, the Board intends to undertake some further exploratory work there before finally making up its mind whether or not it shall evacuate the spot. We thoroughly agree with the contention that Mr Furkert should be asked to assist the Board 'with his expert ad vice. He is, however, not at all likely to agree personally to report on the harbor works generally in the sense suggested by some of the members. One member, it will have been noted, actually thought that the State Engineer-in-Chief might have sufficient time on his hands to enable him to give the Board advice on the financial aspect of its quarry undertaking. What transpired on ihe occasion of an earlier visit which Mr Furkert paid in company with the Minister for Marine will serve to indicate that, if they again pay this district a visit, there will be a repetition of the giving of father<y advice in no uncertain manner. Mr Furkert may be expected to tell the Board that wisdom lies along the path of thorough investigation before any commitment is made invoking very heavy expenditure on any undertaking. We would, indeed, not be at all surprised if he should tell the Board' that £30,000 is a lot of money to expend in connection with a quarry before it has been revealed, beyond a shadow- of a doubt, that the venture has distinct prospects of turning out a great success. The Board, it is clear, rushed into the whole unhappy business without proper confirmation of such facts as are usually regarded as essential before committing itself so deeply. Mr Furkett’s views may he expected to prove quite refreshing.