The Way the Money Goes.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 55, 18 October 1887, Page 2

The Way the Money Goes.

The following ia.an ppi tome of an article which appears in the Wdlingtnn Press : — Ona of the moat important matters demanding the early attention of the new Government is the oondition of the affairs of the Westport and Greymouth Harbours, especially Wistport. It will be remembered that in 1884 Sir J. Vogel prevailed on the House to authorise an expenditure of three- quarters of a million sterling on the Weeport and Groymouth Harbours. The Ministers assured the House that ample safeguards were provided in the Bill for the honest and economical expenditure of the money; and they took in mwt emphatic way to exercise tha large powers of control entrusted to them, in such a manner as to absolutely secure the public interests, as well as most effectually to promote the construction of the harbours. At first they appeared disposed to fulfil those assurances ; hut as time went on, and votes were more urgently needed they yielded by degrees to political pressure, with the result that the control of the works and the disposal of the funds became almost entirely subject to local intrigue. The position of the Harbour affairs at this moment is neither more or less than a flagrant public scandal, demanding searching investigation and thorough reform. The first step to be taken is to institute an impartial enquiry into the exact condition of the Boards’ affairs, and with regard to Westport, to ascertain who is in the right and who is in the wrong in the furious dispute which has led to th i enforced resignation of the Engineer, Mr Napier Bell, noth vithstanding that he possesses the confidence of the Government and is practically the only guardian of the public interests.