CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10574, 27 January 1906, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the E4itor of the Herald.) Sir. 3 — As a rule 1 never take notice of statements m tlhe public press with rtigarcl to harbor affairs, but your leading article m last night's issue is so misleading and incorrect, that I am com* pelled to ask you to insert a few lines (m the absence of tho Chairman) m explanation. You commence as follows . 'Does anyone know what is J-he Coßt of dredging as at .present being carried on at Gisborne? Is it pence, shilling or pounds per cubic yard 1 Why are not returns periodically furnished to the Harbor Board showing the actual cost?" In reply to these Queries I may state that every month a statement is laid on the table for the information of the members, reporters and general public, showing from a careful analysis of all the monthly accounts the actual expense incurred for wages, 'supplies, coal, etc., for the dredge John Townley,. the small dredge, the blasting punt, blacksHiith'e shop, training wall, reclamations, stone and gravel, slip, etc. ;. also the amount of rock, sand or mud removed during the same period, and from these any boy m the Fourth Standard could [tell you the actual cost per yard of dredging per month.-— I am, etc.^ i, JAS. W. WITTY, Secretary, Gisborne Harbor Board.

[We thank Air Witty for the correction, but would, add that whilst the dredgemaster's report showing the amount of material excavated has been given us for publication, the statement of expenditure to which he refers* has not been made accessible m the ordinary way >to reporteiis. At one time the engineer furnished, as is done with other Harbor Boards, a statement of the exact cost per yard 6f material dredged, but this practice hcis been allowed to lapse. Unless the return to which Mr W,itty refers allows "for such items as interest and depreciation, it would not be easy for any person excOpt a Board official with access to tho accounts to givo the exact statement that we think should be furnished. It shofild not be left to members or the press to make arithmetical calculations to secure precise information on an important point that should be laid before the Board m the same manner as is done m other places. — Ep., Herald.]