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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5342, 28 March 1879, Page 5

THE BREAKWATER.

Sir, — If " open confession " can be regarded as " good for the soul," then that of Mr M. R. Miller must be in a healthy condition since the last meeting of the Harbor Board. He is reported to have said that " he would continue to work for the Kidnappers Harbor." Considering the nice little pickings he is likely to receive if the scheme should prove a success, few I think who. know him will doubt the veracity of the statement, or even blame him for his zeal in the matter. The statement he made in regard to his patriotism in all that concerns the prosperity of Napier will require a little seasoning before it goes down well. A man who a short time before could stand before a public audience and advocate the raising of a £70,000 loan to be expended in the drainage and improvement of Napier, aspire to the Mayoral chair, and then do his level best to further a scheme that if successful would be ruinous to vested interest, in Napier, is a patriot of rather an inferior order. Mr Miller, we are told in your report, severely criticised I Mr Vautier's proposal, characterising it as a " huge joke " on the part of the mover. I am afraid he will have to adduce more forcible arguments before he can shake public confidence in Mr Vautier's sincerity in all that concerns the welfare of the town and harbor. Mr Miller appears to me to belong to that class of men who generally " measure other people's corn by their own bushel." What if the Kidnappers scheme was not a more " huge joke " to perpetrate upon the public than the Napier breakwater. If he could force the public to believe in its feasibility, sell the lands adjoining at a high rate, pocket the commission, he would I am inclined to think not require the aid of " nitrous oxide gas " to make him laugh not only in his sleeves, but all over. The baits put out by Mr Miller may be carefully laid, but I am afraid the angling season ia too far advanced for the " mackerel " to bite to his satisfaction. Tho letter of Mr Ormond to the board presents a striking contrast as regards common sense to the remarks made by the member for Wairoa. The people affected by the proposal should have a voice in the matter. The public of Napier have already expressed themselves in favor of a breakwater for Napier, and I am sure the country settlers will never agree to a town of twenty years' standing being rendered desolate to suii the wishes of Mr M. R. Miller and a few of his particular friends. — I am, &c, Observes. Napier, March 26, 1879. [Our correspondent is in error in stating that Mr Miller characterised Mr Vautier'f proposal as a "huge joke." The expres sion was not used hy Mr Miller, and we did not report him as using it. — Ed J_T.J3.ZZV]