OPUNAKE HARBOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1929, Page 10

OPUNAKE HARBOUR.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Your report in yesterday’s issui of the meeting of ratepayers of the Opu nake harbour district .made interesting reading, although to the ratepayers it must have occasioned keen disappointment. They had looked forward to the board bringing a good case for the continuation of the work. But what are we told? “It was estimated,” said the harbourmaster, “that the imports would produce a net revenue of £1846, and as the interest and sinking fund on £20,009 would be only £l4OO, there would be a balance of £486.” Later on in your report we learn that the rates are £4286, or, in other words, we are asked to authorise a further loan of £20,000 for which we will receive 10 per cent, recate on our present rate. And what reasons did the board give us for believing they can get even one-half of the shipping upon which this estimate was based'l None at all; merely supposition. . The board seems to have overlooked the iact that since the question of the harbour at Opunake was first mooted conditions have entirely altered. In his report to the Minister of Marine early in 1926, Air. F. W. Furkert realised this, and pointed out that instead of carting being expensive and slow, by means of horse vehicles on partially improved roads, it is now by up-to-date motorlorries on first-class roads, and, in addition, the railway has now been extended right into Opunake. Also carting by road becomes cheaper and more efficient every year. Even if the harbour paid its way for a year or two —which it cannot —the time must come when the railways and motors will prove a serious opposition from the point of view of cheaper freights and more efficient service.

The most unfortunate part of the whole business is the franchise by which the owner of a small leasehold section in Opunake (worth nothing) has the same voting power as the owner of one of the richest dairy farms in the district. Sir, the members of the harbour board have had their say, and although it was by no means convincing it behoves the farmers interested to call a public meeting and give publicity to their side of the question. If they neglect to do this they will find that on polling-day the townspeople—or those of them who have practically nothing' at stake will turn out in full force, and saddle them with a rate for something which is neither use nor ornament. —I am, etc., NIL DESPERANDUM. Opunake, July 23.