THE HARBOR BOARD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 422, 13 March 1880, Page 12

THE HARBOR BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL. Sir, —A year ago the mercantile community cried out loudly for " a free port." The Corporation reduced its wharf charges to a rate fully 25 per cent, below the rates charged by Mr. W. V. Jackson during his regime, and the Government, yielding to constant pressure, reduced the pilotage dues. But what a change has come o'er the spirit of the dream. The Harbor Board finds itself to be a man-of-war without guns, and this is the result, as reported in your paper of to-day : " Captain Williams explained that in 1878, Sir George Grey, or rather the Grey Government, had passed an Act under which pilotage outwards was not compulsory, and only in part so with inward-bound vessels. The consequence was that only very few outward-bound vessels took a pilot, while but a few more of those that came in required such services. The result was a very considerable falling off in the revenue. Previous to that there had been a great surplus in place of the loss which had just been mentioned. He thought the subject was one which should receive the careful consideration of the committee. They should also ascertain how the light dues stood, as they ought to form an item in the revenue."

The engineer is hoist with his own petard —I am, &c,

Free Port.

'Wellington, March 3, ISBO.