MR COLLETT AND THE BOROUGH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13428, 20 March 1907, Page 7

MR COLLETT AND THE BOROUGH.

(To the Editor.) Sir,— l should feel greatly obliged if you would publish for public information the arrangement between Mr Coilett and the borough for deviating the Huatoki River at the corner of Carririgtdn Road' and Currie Street. I ask because' I do not know What this arrangement is, but this appears clear,, that the borough solicitor has more than once said enough jfco # put the borough 'authorities oh their 1 , guard against the consequences of the possible illegality of the proposed deviation. One of the most beautiful views in New Plymouth is that from Courtenay Street near the Carrington Road. On any day, and especially on a clear day, the view up the wooded and fern-clad valley of the Huatoki. beyond which is to 'be seen the grand outlines of snow-clad Mount Egmont, is a «ight which is ever refreshing, forming a picture one ever remembers with pleasure. In the near foreground is *he Hutttbki, flowing in a graceful curve below a cliff, and on -the other side of the river are some of the prettiest villas in New Plymouth, ensconced in lovely gardens. Now what are wo threatened with ? A deep ditch has been cut through the green paddock below, and the paddock strewn with the soil from the ditch. , A magnificent old poplar tree h^s .been felled to enable the ditch be widened. The river has been deviated into, the ditch, and the old bed of the stream is now filled with stagnant water. And what is all this for? I understand to enable Messrs Coilett and Co. to build a large boardingrhouse at the -junction of Courtenay StreeFahd the Carrington Road. Surely there is abundance, of land in New Plymouth for a bonding-house without" spbilifcLJ* this beautiful corner. Of course, -it does not matter to Messrs Coilett and Co. They, live in Wales, and even if they lived here they could not appreciate New Zealand scenery. Perhaps, "iioweveY, they are ostler the impression that our love of arejpjfecture will revel in the sight of a bi&SbQard-, ing-house, out ,• musical ears wilftfelight in the sound of the dinner-bell, and the early toilers as they pass by will feel happy when regaled with the smell of, liver and bacon. And oup 'Mayor and burgesses, where are they?* Whjat is their standard of beauty, of #he fitness of things ? Have they yet to learn that a big boarding-house is but ooor compensation for the destruction of one of the prettiest corners of a town whose chief merit is- its natural beauty ? — I am, etc.,

A. BURGESS.

[The deviation has been carried out, we understand, entirely at Messrs Collett and Qo.'s risk, with the BoODUgh Council's knowledge, of course, but without its expressed consent, no believe there is to be an exchange between the Council and Messrs, -Collett and Co^i when the wbrlc is qoiupleted, of strips of land at s the 1 '-pbiArtenßy Street corner and at the> corner ot Vivian Street. ' Thus .far the borough seems to be a consenting parity.— Ed. T.H.]

HARBOUR WORKS * AND WORKEJ^iy f

(To the Editor..^ Sir,— The public are gfren a great amount of reading re harbour works m the local newspapers. Now. I think it will be generally admitted that the workers deserve some ...consideration, for without workers there .&ould be no works. With your kind permission 1 would like to call the attention -of the j general public and also our local newspapers to the hard and, I may say, truly cruel conditions the wharf labourers are working under at the harbour shipping, owing to <the sad fact that there lists been no shelter shed provided for them. *The men have, petitioned the Harbour Board re this matter 1 , and in other ways drawn attention to this grievance, but get, no satisfaction. Through the Harbour Master's kindness the men are permitted to use a small rope shed. Now that winter is coming, the men urgently need a suiter house similar to those provided in other parts, where they could get shelter, a stove, etc., to have a fire, etc., etc. It must be borne in mind that the men are there at work all hours of the night. I hope Mr Editor, you will put in a word on the men's behalf.— l am, etc., , PROTEST. [The matter is one entitled to the consideration of the Board, for shelter ought to be provided for the. men.— Ed. T.H.] __

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