DISREPUTABLE HAVEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6490, 9 April 1908, Page 5

DISREPUTABLE HAVEN

COMPLAINTS about boat HABBOUB. BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION. A number of complaints have been made recently regarding the condition of the boat harbour at Oriental Bay, and the Harbour Board has been freely accused of negligence in tho matter. The chairman fMr T. M. Wiiford. M.P.), is not disposed to rest under tins imputation, • and yesterday, when questioned hi the subject by .a representative of tho “Now Zealand Times,” he made a vigorous defence of the Board.

“The cost of making that boat harbour,” ho replied, “ without the cost of the retaining wall, ran into £6583. Twenty-four sheds are erected there, and of these only twelve are let, and the whole of the revenue derived by the Board from the boat harbour at the present time is only £92 a year. Though the Board is prepared’ to' let pieces of land abutting on the harbour at an annual rental of £1 per foot therq are not any Sections taken Up up to the present.” In regard to the shallowing of the harbour, Mr Wllford said as soon os the Priestman dredge had finished the work she was now engaged on at the Waterloo quay reclamation she would •be shifted over to the boat harbour to clean it out.

“What I consider ought to be done is for the whole of those who are interested in boats and yachts to join together and guarantee half the cost of* n caretaker. If they do that I would bo prepared to bring the matter befcro.thd Council, and oak its sanction to paying the other half, and I would also ask the Board to erect a small cottage in which he could live. With someone on the spot you would soon have an end to the present state of affairs. At present, without the cooperation of those interested, the Board does not feel inclined to do any more than it is doing.”