HARBOUR BOARD MATTERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 May 1936, Page 8

HARBOUR BOARD MATTERS

(To the Editor) Sir,—As Air Harley lias laid himself open for criticism by passing the remarks be did at the Harbour Board meeting, I would like, to ask him a few questions through the courtesy of your paper. When the aerodrome question was before the board Air Harley was the most pranineiit member in getting the vote passed to spend £15,000 on it. Was that Harbour Board money or was it money granted by the Government? If it was Harbour Board money, Unit means, moneys paid by ships as dues, wharfage, Lei'lhage. etc., also money collected from ratepayers by rates specially given to the Harbour Board for the purpose of the upkeep of the harbour and the safely cf -hipping in t.i .t haibour. Can any of your correspondents ted ii. e through your columns ./ii-it rigid the Harbour Boar ! had to divert that money from the work it was collected for without getting the permission fr.'in those w«J paid the said moneys, when the Harbour is in such a state according to the remarks of the Board and cor res. pondeiits. In regard to his other remarks re. the surge lie appears to he so ignorant of the matter that it would have been far better lor him lo have passed Hie matter over as the public are making remarks about men who stand for public bodies and do not know much about them. Do they think it they attend the monthly meeting that is all that is required of them? The most of public bodies have officers, such as engineers, electrical engineers and harbour, masters, fully qualified men and ol experience, and their job is to give advice and advise the, different bodies they work for. And what do we find mostly, that their advice is ignored and tliey look for other advice if they are not prepared to spend the money that would bo incurred by the propositions of their own officers —I am, etc,. SHELL BACK. Nelson, 20th Alay.