The Star. MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1881.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4161, 22 August 1881, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1881.

The Taranaki Harbour scandal is not likely to advance the credit of New Zealand abroad. The " ruling family" and their friends, having arrived at the conclusion that a harbour at New Plymouth was a necessity, that it was easily obtainable, and under any circumßtanco would bo the raeanß of securing large allowances of public money for expenditure locally, at once wont energetically to work to put the harbour project in motion. An engineer was appointed who, it is stated, bad no previous experience of works of such a

nature, who probably was oheap and had very little of any professional character to lose. At attempt is now being made to shuffle responsibility on to the shoulders of this unfortunate official, but what would have been the consequences to him if he bad had the temerity to bave suggested that the proposed workß, even if successfully carried out, would prove practically valueless t The people of the Harbour Board, of course representing other interested people, were determined to prosecute the harbour scheme, snd nothing tbe engineer could have advanced was likely to have stayed them ; had he pointed out the folly of the undertaking he would certainly have been sent about his business, and some more complaisant official found to fill his place ; therefore he decided to hold big position, continue to draw his Balary, and endeavour to the best of his ability to carry out what was sought). It is very mean to place the responsibility on the shoulders o£ an unfortunate officer who, if he had spoken the truth, would certainly have been driven out ox the Province without accomplishing the smallest good result, and who strove to advance the determination of his employers with such poor attainments as he possessed. About two years ago the opinion of Sir Johw Coode was obtained by the New Plymouth Harbour Board in reference to the proposed works, and that eminent marine engineer reported that a Harbour of Refuge was not required on that part of the coast, and that, if the contemplated works were ever completed — about which he seems to have reasonably entertained very grave doubts — the harbour would only be useful for small coasting steamerg. As the report of Sir John Ooodb was treated as only so muoh wast* paper, what respect was likely to be extended to the opinions of any New Zealand Engineer if they did not chime in with the determination of tbe Board. Upon the members of the Board Must be placed the responsibility of having thrown upon one side an almost conclusive condemnation, and continued notwithstanding to literally pitch large sums into the sea.

The fint report upon the Bubjeot of the proposed harbour came from Messrs Dothb and Balfou* in the years 1865 and 1867, and their estimate of the c«Bt of constructing a good harbomr at New Plymouth was no loss than £750,000; if, however, it was deoided to prosecute enoh an undertaking, then they reconimeadad the construction of a more modeat proposal, which might possibly ba achiared for about £340,000. No action was taken at the time upon th«s« conclusive statements, but the determination to go on with harbour works at Taranaki was by no meanß abandoned. In 1874, the total population of Taranaki being only 5465, the proposal to construct a harbour at a eost of £350,000 was revived, and a Bill passed the General Assembly authorising the Provincial Government to borrow to that extest for the purpose. The Taranaki Proviacial Government, however, do not appear to have acted upon the powers extended to them under this Aot, and in 1877, a further appeal wag made to Parliament, and an Act empowering the Harbour Board to raise £200,000 upon debentures, beariag interest at the rate of 6 par eent, was passed. Twelve years it bad taken those interested to reach this stags, but now a start was at length to be made. The Board had before them the opinions and estimates of Messrs Doynb and Balfour ; Messrs Oakkutsbks and Blackktt, who reported on the project in 1875, and Sir Johx Ooodb, who reported in Pebrnary, 1879. None of these reports were satis* f actory,but,not withstanding, a gentleman without any previous experience was appointed to " improve upon" and carry out the ideas of Sir John Coodb. Sir John Ooodb estimated the cost of the construction of part of the Western Breakwater at £450,100 ; he estimated a jetty at £34,000, another jetty at £16,430, and the cost of the Eastern Breakwater he calculated at £427,700, the total estimated expenditure being no less t*ian £927,730. When it is stated that the eminent engineer gave his opinion that, if the construction of the Western Breakwater was stopped at 1920 feet (the cost of which would be only £197,240) and a jetty carried out, the depth of water at spring tides would be 13 or 14 feet, some idea of the engineering and finanoial difficulties of the project will begin to be entertained. After expending £70,000 in plant and preliminary workß, the Board were reatfy to begin upon tho construction of the Breakwater, and at this stage they suddenly discovered tbe inoompetency of their engineer. The present position of the scheme is that, whilst only about 18 feet of the breakwater has been constructed one half of tho funds raised by loan havo been expended ; this, of course, ia not promising for the works seaward. In addition to the money borrowed (the net proceeds of the £200,000 loan having been £185,854) the Harbour Board had been endowed with 25 per cent of the proceeds of the sales of the Waimate Plains, which after,, having coßt tho Colony a large sum to obtain is likewise being tueaed into the sea.

Now tbe scandalous facts connected with the prosecution of this extravagant scheme are before the public, there is considerable virtuous denunciation, and tho Government have consented to the appointment of a Commission to make a thoroughly exhaustive enquiry, tho work to be stopped in the meac time. We do not believe that any of the facts laid before Parliament by the committee obtained by Mr Weight can be challenged, but the names of the men who have committed the Colony to this work and those who have been in any way instrumental in pushing it forward should be given to the public. The whole thing bears evidence of having been a scandalous job designed to feed Taranaki with public money, and those who were privy to it should be exposed. Another important questionbas reference lo whether tho works should bo abandoned or proceeded with, and if the latter, to what extent and under what condition?. The public will no doubt agree with Sir George Grey that tho Government should act in this inctter with prudence and justice, and no injury should be perpetrated, if possible, upon men who have been induced by faith in the bona /ides of such an undertaking to Bettle in Taranaki. No doubt the action of the Government under all tho circumstance is about tho most judicious that could have been adopted,

Suicide. — Mr J. Hooper, an actor, well known on tbo New Zoaland slago, committed suicide in Duncdiu, on Saturday night, by hanging bimeelf.