SIR ROBERT STOUT ON AUCKLAND AND ITS WANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10410, 7 April 1897, Page 6

SIR ROBERT STOUT ON AUCKLAND AND ITS WANTS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—Everyone in this community should feel grateful to Sir Robert Stout for his paper on Auckland, which appeared in your issue of yesterday. The rapid and too ofton reckless destruction of our forests is enough to fill every thoughtful mind with apprehension, What in the near future the effect will be on our climate and country none of us can tell. Certainly some steps ought at once to be taken to replace the forests that are being so rapidly destroyed. This is a matter that demands the attention of our Auckland M.H.R. 8 far more than those of other districts of the colony. Sir Robert is right about the value of the beautv of Auckland, and of its numerous health resorts. We ought to do everything in our power to conserve and improve the great natural beauty of Auckland, and so make it more and attractive as a residence for those who are possessed ot a competency. As to our sauatoriums, every possible effort ought to be made to improve and cheapen the connections with them. They ought to be made readily available by every class of the community. There is one statementof Sir Robert's with which I cannot agree. He says that for not being connected with Wellington " the Auckland people are entirely to blame." If he had said that we are to blame for not having connection with Wellington in the way Wellington wishes, and that would secure Wellington interests to the detriment of Auckland, he would have spoken correctly. Wellington has managed to secure direct connection with Napier on the East Coast and Taranaki 011 the West, and now seeks, at a much greater cost to the colony than need be, to have direct connection with Auckland. Auckland has always been willing and anxious to join Wellington in securing connection via Taranaki, which would be far the cheapest route, very little longer, and quite sufficient for present wants, but as this would place Auckland and Wellington on ail equality as regards the Taranaki trade, Wellington will not consent, and wants-to force the more expensive and more us eless route upon the colony. However, as I have said, our hearty thanks are due to Si Robert f - his friendly, valuable, and practical ad > : —lam, etc., ' Samuel Vaii... Auckland, March 24, 1897.