THE HARBOR AND BLOCKYARD.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 86, 15 December 1885, Page 2

THE HARBOR AND BLOCKYARD.

To the Editof. Sir, —Much has been said, and many arguments set forth, as to the Harbor and Blockyard, many letters have been written bv directions of Europeans who are very much interested on both sides of the river. It is a known fact that certain persons are trying to obtain, and to a great extent have obtained, the sand spit between the Waikanae and the g?a, on a 21 years lease, (the land being unalienable) this is all to be done for the purpose of speculation. Again, I am informed Mr Porter with others hold large interests on the other side of the river (near Read’s store) hence any person can see at a glance the cause of Mr Porter taking such large interest in the purchase of native land for a Blockyard. It must be remembered that Mr Porter once stated in theyßorough Council Chamber that Mr Lucke’s deed “ was not worth the paper it was written on.” I see Mr Allan McDonald has also given his opinion likewise,—Now there must be a cause for all this, and that cause is self interest by those two, then Mr DeLautour in his wisdom dovetails in his opinion and confirms the above—well there is no need to ask, why ! as everyone knows, it is self interest again. Now my own opinion is this, that no more money should be squandered in surveying roads till such time as we know where the harbor is to be* As to buying native land for a blockyard, there is no necessity for that, as thera is plenty of public land between high and low water marks from the wharf to the mouth of the Waikanae on the town side,—or on the Kaili side between Read’s old store and the boat harbor,—sufficient to build 50 blockyards if required. I certainly object to the squandering of money on surveys or other useless works till we know where we nra going to build, and also what stone we are to use, if we require a railway along the Kairi flat, road, or through native lands. Arranj t about the land before surveying the same, otherwise you will pay for it. Again, the Minister of Marine has no business taking notice of any anonimous communication in a public newspaper, the sender of the paper being usually the writer of the letters. The Engineer has made a life long study of his profession and must be allowed to have a knowledge of the same, if he makes a mistake his reputation will suffer.—l am, &c., Thbodolxtk.