THE HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9031, 18 April 1888, Page 3

THE HARBOUR BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,-—-You have earned the gratitude of the overburdened taxpayers of Auckland by exposing the extravagance of our local authorities, especially of the Harbour Board. That body has been gradually laying on burdens which are unbearable, and the taxpayers now demand relief instead of an increase of taxation, which has commenced and must surely increase, unless met by a decrease in expenditure. Numbers of our citizens do not know that the harbour charges are Is per ton on flour, 2s per thousand on sawn timber, la per ton on coals, 4d per ton on firewood, and so on on almost every item of daily consumption. These charges, with the charges on ships and vessels of all descriptions, considerably increase the cost of living. To assist us, let them commence by utilising that immense and extravagantly-fitted building used by a half-dozen men, by either selling, leasing, or letting the greater portion. lb would make a splendid publichouse, and so convenient to the Sailors' Home! Our wharves are now largely in excess of requirements,, therefore cease building, and you can dispense with your staff of engineer, assistantengineer, and cadet. Your foreman is able to keep everything in repair with a little extra labour hired when required, much better than any office clerk. We never really required a portmaster and a harbourmaster. Abolish one office ; you save £300 a year, and if the remaining official cannot or will not do the work, you will get dozens of active intelligent shipmasters who would i'utnp at the chance at £250 per annum. i Anally, get rid of as much of your overpaid talent as possible. There is now in the pay of the Harbour Board a consulting engineer, a dock engineer, a Harbour Board engineer, assistant engineer, and cadet. Surely such a staff, and no works to design* is quite unnecessary. am, &c, Harbour Board Lessee.