The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Thursday, August 2, 1888. SIR GEORGE WHITMORE AND THE GISBORNE HARBOR.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 177, 2 August 1888, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Thursday, August 2, 1888. SIR GEORGE WHITMORE AND THE GISBORNE HARBOR.

Be just and fear not; 3>t all the ends than aim’st at be thy oeuntry’s, Thy God’s, and truth's.

On a previous occasion we made reference to Sir George Whitmore’s misleading comments in connection with Gisborne Harbor affairs, and took exception to assertions which were not founded on fact. Now we are glad to see that Sir George exhibits a trait which, unfortunately, is not always shown by those of his own class and in his position, He has taken the trouble to reply to those who have criticised his statements, and, while admitting certain inaccuracies, endeavored to justify the grounds upon which he has mainly taken up his stand against the present works. Experience has shown that, so far as the interests directly represented by Sir George Whitmore are concerned, the mistake was made in the first instance, and at the present time it is a matter for surprise that the Coast settlers ever agreed to the loan being raised; on the other hand, it is no surprise now that they should wipes under the heavy burden which has to be borne. Wisdom, it is said, can never be bought

cheaply, and the distant settlers will have to pay for their wisdom in this instance. Indeed, so far as they are concerned, Sir George Whitmore is himself much to blame forever having consented to the loan, at any rate without the assurance of such assistance as would have enabled the construction of a harbor that would be suitable for every class of shipping. For our own part, we have previously said that we do not think the game is worth the candle in so far as this 14ft harbor is concerned, because to our mind it is doubtful whether the advantage would be worth having were it only to entail the expenditure of less money. As the works are proceeding, however, that point is losing its weight, and, acknowledging the expedition with which the works are being carried out, the money will be spent and the object, such as it is, attained almost before we know our position. The northern ridings have certainly all through behaved with a generosity which has exceeded their wisdom, but so far as that goes so has the whole district been indulging in false hopes. The data upon which the ratepayers relied when they agreed to the loan has in practice proved of little value and to be altogether misleading. As for the endowment which Sir George Whitmore refers to, it is worse than useless, because it is an incumbrance upon which taxes have to be paid, with no present prospect of its being turned to account within a reasonable time. With regard to road making, no one can be blamed for the neglect in this direction more than Parliament itself. While other districts have had their share of the expenditure of borrowed millions, in railways, roads, bridges, and other works, the claims of this unfortunate district have never been listened to. Over this vast area it was impossible, with the limited funds available, to have roads compatible with the requirement of the country, and in these unfortunate circumstances the County Council had to act with thought and wisdom in order to get the best work for the smallest sum of money. It would be simply nonsense to try and make first'class roads in certain places when there was not sufficient in hand to enable it to be carried through. There is no denying the northern ridings have not had a fair share of the expenditure in the past, but then it would not be a wise policy to undertake to do too much and yet do nothing well. The County Council has endeavored to make the best use of its money, and is now endeavoring to give the Waiapu riding a satisfactory share of the expenditure. Sir George Whitmore says if the County Council were more numerously represented in the two local bodies by people not resident in Gisborne, he hopes its interests would be more fairly considered. On the County Council there is actually only one resident of Gisborne, and he perhaps spends the greater part of his time in the country. At most, only two members could be called Gisborne people. On the Harbor Board there are at least three lona fide country residents, and we do not believe there is a member who has not also got a real interest in the country. It is to be noted, too, that those members whose opinions are much the same as Sir George Whitmore's are town members. As for the statement that the Borough Council and Harbor Board are as one body, that was only so while their powers were limited to the control of the river foreshores, and on the grounds af economy no better plan could be adopted. On the main question we agree, that is questionable whether the advantage of getting the Australia alongside is worth its cost, but we must admit that as the works proceed the arguments against this view increase in weight. So far as the Board’s management is concerned, beyond the site question there has not been nothing to justify statements that have been made. No public body has ever yet been discovered that could claim perfection, and of course the Harbor Board is open to criticism for many of their actions, but no one can impute dishonest motives to any member or officer of the Board, It was a grave ,mistake to have rushed the plans away to Wellington as they were in the first instance, and later developments have no doubt caused the members to regret their haste on that occasion. But we have now to consider the question as it is presented to us, and we must admit the contemplation is anything but a pleasant one. It is not, as Sir G. Whitmore represents it to be, a fight between town and country, because the former stands to lose quite as heavily. It would be far better now were all to combine and strive to obtain at least a portion of that consideration to which the district is entitled, and in this Sir George might help us in some degree.