CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12179, 31 January 1903, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We are not responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. The writeir's name as a guarantee of good faith, must be enclosed in tba kitoe.) HARBOUR EXTENSION. (To the Editor.) Sir, — I see by Mr A<dlain's lelter that he favours Mr Ward's scheme of extending the breakwater, also from several sub-leaders that appear in your paper that you favour the same scheme, i.e., of expending £3000 a year surplus revenue upon extending the breakwater. Ratepayers will remembir that six years ago I opposed Mr Maxwell when he was introducing the sau'd-puiup, and my policy was then to spend £1500 a year— this was the surplus revenue at that time — in extending the breakwater. Past events have shown that it would have been better to have carried out such a iicheme, bu,t lam not &ute that it is the right' scheme for the Board to jarry out at the present time. I think it is fat too slow. The Engineer's estimate for breakwater im-> provements is, I believe, £140^000. We ;an!not wait 40 or 50 years to carry aut this work; and it would take this liinte to ftnis-h it according to Mr Ward's scheme. Would it not be better to capitalise a portion of ' this ?Urplus. revenue and, borrow say,. £20, 300 a year, possibly from the Government or .some monetary institution. Ibis at 4;, per cent, would be £1000 a year.. If it is done in this way, and at the and of three yearte the trade of bhe port will 'have grown to- such an ixtemt, and the saving upon dredging tv-iil enable the Board to have sufficient funds to carry on such a policy, ?o ihat ihe end of six years When the >resont loan falls in we shall have j tut breakwater coirtple'ted and bringing in revenue. It will then be an ;asy matter to float what loan we •equire upon the best of terms. Of •ourse, before such a scheme as this s carried out we shefil have to get egislation to further- borrow, also the jonsenit of the ratepayers. My object, n writing is, as if is .election time," vill Mr Aidlam or Mr Maxwell , let us mow if , they aro willing to support ;uch a scheme ? Thanking you in -nticipation.— l,,am, &to., H. OKT3Y.