Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7404, 12 August 1885, Page 4

The Harbour Board acted wisely in adopting at its meeting yesterday the recommendation of the Finance Committee not to proceed with the introduction of the Loan Bill during the present session of Parliament. Several reasons might be stated in favour of the expediency of this course. First of all there waa little hope of getting such a Bill passed at this late stage of the jession, and the expense attendant on its introduction would hare to be re-incurred in the event of it being again brought forward. Then there is by no means a unanimity of opinion about the advisability of going ao soon again into the money market with a view to the execution of further works in the harbour. By the time Parliament is next summoned to meet, new light may be thrown on the advantage or otherwise of the works proposed, and whatever course may be then resolved on will be supported by the weight of additional and possibly superior knowledge. Meanwhile two veiy important suggestions made in the committee's report will demand careful attention. These are : that the Engineer be requested to prepare a chart of his boring 3 and estimates for the works for which the ioan is intended to be raised ; and that he report on the probable effect of the proposed works on the navigation of the harbour. No one will dispute the value of these suggestions. It is of the utmost consequence that the cost of the undertakings in contemplation should be ascertained with the greatest possible accuracy, and also that all risk of diminishing the depth of water in the harbour should be guarded against. Besides, though the reclamation of the foreshore in any part of the harbour may be profitable in supplying landed endowments, it is yet worth while considering whether the construction of a wet dock in some of its bays might not prove more advantageous to the slapping and commerce of tho poxt.