CORRESPONDENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 39, 18 February 1901, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

To the Editok ok "The Evening Mail."

Sir — Tn your leading article of Monday > February 11, no estimates of cost for the Neleon harbour improvements are mentioned, although there are three schemes promoted, two by Mr Leslie Reynolde, the other scheme is from Mr Napier Bell. Mr Reynolds' report and plans were published in tho "Evening Mail " of 22nd August, 1809. The estimated cost for Nelson harbour impro vemente, plan No, 1, is £14,250, plan No, 2, £58.000.

In reading over Mr Reynolds report and looking at his plans, more especially No 1 plan, it appears the improvements would not be permanent, and he capitation of £11,250 would be lost to the ratepayers.

Therefore, if No 2plan, coating £3s, ooo will meet with all requirements for all, time to come for the harbour of Nelsou, a guarantee is given to the ratepayers.

And when you take into consideration the value and worth of the town, also the County and the two boroughs at £2.000,00 ) sterling, which is under-estmating the the value of properties at the present time, so the rating to pay interest on the required loan, say .£60,000, will fall very light individually upon the ratepayers. I may here mention that neither of the two small islands, Hauliißhore and Magazine, have in any way increased in size within the past 50 years, althougha considerabel yearly drift of small stone from Mackay's Bluff has taken place. But the drift of stone does not reach beyond the Lighthouse point of the Boulder Bank, therefore the drift of stone will not interfere with Mr Reynolds' plan No. 2. Mr Napier Be'l's " report " is a much greater scheme, and the proposal is to cut a channel through the Boulder Bank north of the Lighthouse; theestimatedcostis over .£85,090, and the responsibility of the undertaking would require serious consideration by the Harbour Bjard.

I am, etc, JAMES T, MACKAY Woodbrae, lGth Feb. 1901.

[The larger scheme of Mr Leslie Reynolds ia the one approved by the Government. Details of cost, revenue, etc,, showing that no special rate will be necessary, were dealt with in our leader on Saturday.— Ed N.E.M.]

To the Editor of " Tue Evening Mail."

Sir— One of the candidates, in his address to the burgesses of Nelson, states that he is jd favour of "advising the ratepayers < o sanction a loan sufficent to carry out an approved scheme of complete harbour improvement." Is there not an Act of Parliament which enables the Government to loan money to local bodise ? If so kindly state for the guidance of your reader? the particulars of he Act and how repayment is made ; aIBO, whether the money will be raised by the issue of debentures, or otherwise. These appear to me to be the only questions any candidate can answer afc present to guide the electors in their choice. Yours, etc, F. W, FLOWERDAY. 15/2/Cj,

[The " Government Loans to Local Bodies A.ct, IHiStJ," to which our correspondent refers, does not apply to Harbour Boardß, and it makes provision for only small loans. By an amending Act passed last session the operation of the Aot was extended to boroughs, but the amount which may be borrowed by a borough wil ihn any one year is limited to £2000. The security of a harbour Inan would be the por'.'s revenue, and, as collateral, the power to levy a special rate not exceeding ld in tho £. As explained on Saturday, the necessity for levying the rate is, and will be under eHicienl adminisl ration, very remote. With unhampered income and the power to lery the rateaa "collateral," the security ot the Nelson harbour becomes a " gilt-edged " one, and it would ba not. impossible for the money to be obj tamed from the Government financial departments instead of by means of debentures from the colonial or British public- Ed, N.E.M.]

To the Editor of " The Evening Mail." Sir— l was greatly pleased by your loader last week, which showed the responsibility of th 9 electo s for members of the Harbour Board. My opinion is tha r , n ) man should be elected who has not seen better public works than the Rocks Road; no man should be elected who has not seen more of the world han Nelson can show him ; no man should bo elected who has not been accustomed to meet, ln's fellow-men in council for the benefit of the community. In fact, men should be elected from their experienco and probity. The state of the city after r.O years, with imperfect drainage and water supply, and unreclaimed spots in the centre of the city, will show your readers that now the Nelson people must have net blood in their administrative oouncils, — lam, c c, PROGRESS. February 15, 1901.