EXTRAVAGANCE IN THE HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8066, 6 October 1887, Page 3

EXTRAVAGANCE IN THE HARBOUR BOARD.

TO THE KDITOa. Sir,As we have a staff of high paid officials, surrounded by every conveyance to lessen their duties, or give them knowledge at the expense of the Board, it would be not out of place to oritioise, and see what we get for this in these poor times extravagant outlay. In the approved plans for permanent work of the harbour, there is one portion, the Qobson-street wharf, one Beotion of which has been for many months completed, although since being taken over from the contractor only one small coaster has discharged at it. Very little has been received for this great outlay of borrowed money, for the simple reason, nothing requiring ordinary wharf accommodation can go there. The last vessel was unable to prevail on the owners of winding engines to risk their removal across its uncertain and treacherous roadway. Thus, while its grand surface of timber formation is a dreary waste, the Queen-street Wharf is seriously overcrowded. If the head of the staff had run out the mole or permanent work to deep water, and commenced bis timber portion from the outer end, the ' work would have been a permanent improvement, and the wharf useful. As it is, we must wait till the big dredge wears itself out in its frantic efforts to sorape holes in the harbour, to be immediately tilled again by the natural silt, and leave to time, the worms, and natural decay to destroy this portion of the improvements. The Harbour Boardconsisting of master bakers, master painters, master millers, and lawyers, with scarcely a nautical man amongst them—is hardly to blame in this matter, as the members can have very little practical experience in wharves and harbours. The blame must lie with its engineers, consulting engineers, and other advisers, voluntary and paid, who have assisted them with their fancied wisdom.— I am, etc., Ditkk Humphrey.