OPUNAKE HARBOUR..

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1930, Page 2

OPUNAKE HARBOUR..

(To the Editor.) Sir, —“Egmont’fe” last letter is a clear indication that the board’s latest defender is petering out. Though his letter is still headed “Opunake Harbour” scarcely one word about the harbour adorns the epistle. The argument has become entirely a personal issue so far as ‘'Egmont” is concerned, and “Air. Sheat,” not ''Opunake Harbour,” is the subject under discussion, •‘Egmont” has to his own satisfaction replied to my “misrepresentations” and has “unmasked” me for the benefit of the ratepayers, but:, for all his efforts, neither the boaid nor tho port is any better off. Its supporters are a rapidly dwindling body. Ti:e only reasons which to-day account for anyone supporting the Opunake harbour are: (1) Crass stupidity or gross ignorance; (2) inveterate obstinacy or incurable conservatism; (3) self-interest or the anticipation of pickings out of the scheme; (4) appreciation of the fishing facilities afforded by the mole. As I have already twice reminded “Egmont,” Mr, Hughson, Mr. yickennan, Air, Hus-

ton Young, Air. Sinclair, Air. Toslaud, Air. Hardy, Captain Knowles, the Northern Steamship Company and myself are absolutely at one in agreeing that in its present condition the port is useless, in the face of such unanimity why must “Egmont” persist in striking a discordant note? If he is such a fervent believer in the harbour let him follow up his success in unmasking me by/ dropping his own mask. Let him, ill Other words, coine out into the open and dismiss tile question of the harbour and its future, and not side issues. If . lie is prepared to do so, I am ready to meet him :lt any time he likes, either in the Press uh preferably’' on the piatfoiiil at Opunake. If he is not prepared to accept this challenge his faith in the liar 1 hour is so half-hearted that I do not propose to discuss the matter further with him. In conclusion permit me to express the gratification which all opponents of the colossal and criminal waste of the harbour will feel at tlie action of the board in adopting the policy of employing . a part-time secretary, as loiig advocated by the optxohents of the board. This change, which will mean an tip* preciable saving to the board, is, at the same time, a facit admssion on the board’s-part that the prospects of trade are nil. Though it appears that financial exigencies rather than an honest facing of the facts are responsible for the board's decision, it is infinitely preferable to see the board adopting a right policy from wrong motived i.lian persisting in a wrong policy in the face of overwlielniing evidence of its futility. Congratulations therefore to Air. Hughson on his belated bow to the inevitable. Congratulations also to Captain Knowles on a change which for him will mean that he need no longer waste his nautical talents on that forlornest of forlorn hopes, the Opunake harbour. —1 am, etc.. W. A. SHEAT. Pihama, Sept. 22, 1930.