RECLAMATION FOR NAPIER.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 177, 12 July 1927, Page 4

RECLAMATION FOR NAPIER.

TT is good to note a marked change in the tone which the Napier {Borough Council deputation adopted yesterday when it met the Napier Harbour Board to discuss the question of reclaiming some of the Board’s endowment lands to admit of the extension of Napier’s residential area. When the newly constituted Council, some two or three months ago, introduced the subject at one of its own meetings, led by its newly elected mayor, Mr. J. V. Brown, a note almost of truculence against the Board was adopted by the majority. The talk was al! then of compulsory acquisition by the Council of the area required, and the assumption was made with apparent confidence that the Government would lend its assistance to that end. When, however, the Minister of Marine, during his recent visit to Napier, was interviewed by the Council on the subject a rather unexpected rebuff was given to those who were all agog to deprive the Harbour Board ratepayers of on© of the most valuable portions of their endowment. Far from falling in complaisantly with tfie Council’s proposal, he clearly intimated that his duty impelled him in the other direction—the preservation of the Board’s endowment for the benefit of the Board and all those it represents. Hence, no doubt, the change of attitude when, as recommended by the Minister, the Council yesterday approached the Board on the subject. The Board, on its part, although it was quite entitled to entertain some resentment, received the deputation with all courtesy, and promised to give the representations made the fullest sympathetic consideration There is, of course, nothing new in this, as it is manifestly in the interests of the Board anti its constituents that endowment lands should be brought into revenueproducing occupation. Tt was io this end that the Board last session promoted authorising legislation, which was effectively flocked through the influence of certain gentlemen who are members of both the Council and the Board. That legislation it is proposed to submit again this session, and it will be interesting to note what treatment it will n&w at the hands of the gentlemen mentioned.

There seems, however, to be some difference, such as we had not before realised, as to the precise location of the reclamation projects which the Board and the Council have respectively in view. On this point it is to be noted that the Council’s own engineer seems to recognise some

important difficulty in connection with the area which that body has in mind, a difficulty which will be effectually met only by carrying out the diversion of the Tutaekuri river. Here, again, we have the point thrust upon us that has so often had notice here—that, with so manydifferent bodies in separate control, it is almost impossible to secure concerted action that will work for the general advantage. In this case, of course, it is the Rivers Board that will have to be consulted, and so far it has proved itself a body of very slow movement. On the other hand, from what the chairman had to say, it would appear that no such difficulty stands in the way of carrying out the relatively inexpensive scheme which the Harbour Board has in immediate contemplation. The subject is one that is of mutual concern for both bodies, and it is to be hoped that, now the position has been clarified a little by what the Minister has had to say, amicable discussion will find a solution satisfactory to both.