THE HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3229, 17 September 1879, Page 2

THE HARBOUR BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — I see by ft resolution of tho Harbour Board that the Engineer is proceeding to England, and for what specific purpose no ono knows except that most learned, wise, and prudent public body itsolf — tha wonderful Harbour Board. How comep this, that any local body elected by tho people can hold public meetings in secret with closed doors, and more especially when tho money borrowed for the specific purpose of constructing a breakwater is foolishly voted at a secret meeting of the Board. This is a groat injustice to tho ratepayers. This gives a trial with a vengeance, to now and untried men, as your contemporary boasted a week ago that new men were carrying on tho harbour works iv a first class stylo. They a 1 o undoubtedly wasting the money. Thoy aro paying largo sums of money daily for preliminary works that are useless ; and how long is this to continue ? The answer is easily given indeed. By tho Board's own resolution they postpone the oonstruotiou for at least twelve months — perhaps for over — and for what oauso no person can tell. This I may state, that any alterations in material or construction must be submitted on paper, before Sir J. Ooode would attempt to give any opinion, and his remarks, as regards approval or otherwise, mast, on all occasions, be in writing ; it is tho ous« torn of those gentlemen to do so, exoopt where thoy hold. local supervision themselves. Thoreforo the ploa of going home to confer with Sir J. Coode is absurd and altogether useless ; and again, fche plant has been ordered somo months ago, nnd by whom? — Sit J. Coode — tho very. man who knows raoro about the sort of plant to procure than any man on this sido of tho Atlantic Ocean. And ho can procure it and ship it in less time than any other man, for he knows where to procuro the most suitable, and understands its value better than any man tho Board could send here. Every man is allowed an opinion, especially when ho does not know the day ho may have to put his hand in his pocket arid subscribe — whether ho is willing or not— towards paying interest on i money uselessly wasted by tho present IJarbour Board. I donfc like it ; there is so much secrecy about their proceedings. Perhaps the Engineer is most: anxious to take a tour rouud tho world at tho Board's expense, and go home to inspect similar works in his travels, and serve a little apprenticeship before he begins onr unfortunate breakwater. Such a roport is current, and not, perhaps, without eo mo foundation. The only course left open to tho ratepayers is to either call a publfo meeting, or get up a petition requesting the members of the present Harbour Board to resign. Wo have given them a fair trial, aud their last private action speaks plainly. They will not get on. Their last secret action will, very likely, leave New Plymouth without a breakwater for the next hundred years. — I am, &0., JUSTITIA. New Plymouth, September 15, 1879.