OKAHU BOAT HARBOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23094, 20 July 1938, Page 12

OKAHU BOAT HARBOUR

Before the final step is taken to establish a boat harbour at Okahu Bay, in the vicinity of Orakei, there should be thorough ventilation of every aspect of the matter. The Harbour Board has shown a due sense of its manifold responsibility—to provide all requisite facilities of a port for shipping, to supply adequate accommodation for small pleasure-craft;, and to care for the picturesqueness and convenience of the city waterfront. It did well to meet face to face yesterday some of those feairing that the project will prove detrimental to their interests and to those of the general public. This effort to reach finality, however, failed to allay misgiving, and should not be regarded as ending the controversy. Opponents heard the scheme explained in detail and received an assurance that the board will, not do anything prejudicial to the locality; but they apparently departed unconvinced. Yet they must be aware that they cannot hold up indefinitely the scheme placed before: them. All that they can now rightly ask —indeed, the conciliatory attitude of the board's chairman encourages them to adopt this procedure—is to be allowed to put in writing their considered objections, for the board's immediate attention. The questions involved should be settled without delay, the sooner the better. Admittedly the scheme has many aspects. Nevertheless, it should be possible to reduce each of them to precise, brief statement. On its part, the board has made request for definite presenting of objections, and will no doubt be willing to extend, for a brief period, the time for their reasoned submission before the irrevocable decision is made. Thiti clemency should not be abused, but to take full advantage of it, at once, ought to be regarded by the objectors as their bounden duty. Then, with everything clearly before them, board members can come to a reviewed conclusion. No other way offers so good an opportunity of reaching necessary finality.