Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4263, 18 November 1874, Page 2

Wu find the annexed in the Wariganui Chronicle, 11th, having reference to the intended sale of the foreshore of Wellington harbor by the Provincial Government : To His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. We the undersigned members of the Provincial Council consider it our duty most respectfully to protest against the proposed sale of " twenty-five and a half acres of land under contract for reclamation," advertised for the 21st of December, for the following ■l. Because the sale of the land " in ono lot" would, by confining competition to large capitalists, cause a serious loss to the revenuo, as is proved by the fact that a joint stock company is now being formed to purchase the land, with the object of "afterwards selling, or otherwise dealing with it, as may bo determined on," an operation which, as the prospectus elsewhere states, would afford "one of the most legitimate openings for the profitable investment of capital which has ever been placed before the public." 2. Because, were the land so purchased, a property of great local- importance would be needlessly sacrificed to monopolists whose interests would not necessarily coincide with those of the public. 3. Because to place land in the market la a manner so contrary to what was anticipated, is certain to give rise to the suspicion that the Piovincial Government is dealing dishonestly with the public estate, or is at best the dupe of designing persons. For these, and for other reasons which are sufficiently obvious, we trust that our protest will be duly considered, and that your Honor will be pleased to withdraw the land in question from sale until after the next session of the Provincial Council. ■ Our Wanganui contemporary remarks that it is anticipated that this protest " will be signed by a considerable -riutn- " ber of members of the Provincial " Council, many of those who are friendly " as well as those who are adverse to the " Government, being opposed to the in- " tended sale." It is to be hoped that the pretty unanimous expression of public opinion on this matter, through the Press and otherwise, will induce the Superintendent to give way while there, is an opportunity of doing so without seeming to concede anything to external pressure. For the sake of the office of Superintendent, we are anxious to save appearances.