Untitled

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17394, 3 October 1918, Page 3

your precious conservators of the port have brought about by their unbusinesslike policy in regard to the dredge? Here are situated two of the largest freezing works in

New Zealand, and they are now faced with a tremendous prpolem in regard to the export of their frozen produce. Mark you. had it been possible for the liners to enter pur port the embargo would have been of a much different kind. It is simply because the vessels must. in the ordinary course of things, if they come here, lie out in the roadstead and be subject to contact with floating mines, a risk which the British Government will not take even to please the Wanganui Harbour Board. What a difference there would have been had the Board's dredge been here The position is —how long are the ratepayers willing to allow conditions to be as they are at present? The Harbour Rate is looming in the horizon, and, if it comes, it will be an unpleasant, surprise. There is nothing to prevent the Board sellingfi the "'Kaione" and making the purchase of another dredge. But then the Harbour Board is a very independent and highly dignified body! I have written upon this particular subject for so long that I can guess you, Sir, and your readers are heartily sick of my communications; but were the people of Wanganui to realise, as I do, the present position of the port's progress in relation to the embargo (which is for an indefinite period), and the New Plymouth Harbour development, they would say, "These conditious shall not remain longer." I hope this matter will not be allowed to drop into insignificance. The future of the port is one of moment to the progress of the town. Will we miss the 'bus?

L am,, etc , RATEPAYER

EE HARBOUR.BOARD AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING.

(To the Editor)

Sir, —There are one or two matter,"? appearing in your morning's issue wiiich, 1 think require an explanation, otherwise thy public may be misled.

Smoker's heart is a distressing Jiialauy, caused chiefly through the effects <j't nn alkaloid tailed Nicotine, which is extremely poisonous. Strong tobaccos with a high percentage of nicotine should therefore be avoided. When selecting a brand, the smoker should not be guided by the appearance <ilone, because even an apparently mild cigarette tobacco of a bright lemon colour, might contain—and often does contain —an excess of nicotine, but more, injurious, as a rule, arc the dark juicy grades, meant for jripo smoking. This juice fouls the pipe, a:ul is responsible for the soppiness and bite, it also impairs the combustibility. A freely burning tobacco is never soppy. Take, for instance, our N.Z. grown Gold Pomfi ToU#'co. There you have an absolutely pure article, which can be smoked continuously, without the slightest after-effects, it burns to the last «hred, leaving the i month sweet and clean. So highly is X.Z. tobacco commented upon !>v doctors and experts, that it is mercy n question of time when the growing and manufacturing of N.Z. leaf will Jioeoni" one of our most import.-.v.t industries.

Ist. Mr Harris says there is not a good man on the Harbour Board who knows anything about Harbour matters. This doey )T°t require much explanation, except that there never will be a good man on fcne Board until Mr Harris gets there.

2nd. My letters to consignees re Blackball steamers, were intended 'o convey to them that .if the steamers could not get beyond Castlecliff then the consignees would have to pay the raiiage to town. Every endeavour will, however, be made to get them to the Town Wharf before causing this expense to consignees.

3rd. The wharfage rate on white pine timber was increased some JU months ago, and being a very large shipper myself, I wis-h the Board could reduce Jt; but 1 presume this is a matler of finance.

4th. When Captain Holm was master of the John, tie is quite correct, lie did get hauled over the coals for crossing the bar before high water. Capt. Holm should also have added that he came in against the signals: a most improper thing for a master to do, except in cases of emergency, leaking snip, seriou.s sickness or accident.

sth. Captain Holm says nobody took any inttM'e^st in things at present. I don't think their worst enemies can say that the present mem her s take no interest in Harbour Board matters. This is too absurd to anyone who follows them closely, although there certainly are mutters that want putting right." 6th. Mr Harris accuses the Pilot of not allowing the »teamer s 'in before high water. Mr Williams is quite correct in his reply. It would not he worth while bringing vessels alongside CasUecliff wharf for an hour or two, when by waiting they can make tin? job oi: it, and get right up *° town. While on this subject I would like t'J say that my principals, both in Sydney and in the South Island, hav c ex. pressed themselves more than once to me as being exceptionally lucky in having a man like Captain Mcfntyr-e (the Harbour-master) here to guide tlieir ships m and out of this port, and I am positively certain all owners running; steamers here'will agree with this. He lias proved himself a capable- and careful Pilot, and a.s a master of steamers he has a record to be proud of.

7th. Mr Harris says a man putting up for membership has to fight lie papers —newspapers, 1 presume he means.. This, you will agree, is quite contrary to fact. Th<> newspaper editors certainly, 1 presume, pick out the men they think the most .suitable, representatives, and have a perfect right to do so, I should say. Lastly.—Foy goodness sake, during war.tinie let us save all tli e friction wo can. The most important thing now is to "WJN THE WAR," then fight the Harbour Board afterwards for all we are worUi, if they will not do what they cr c told; and we will get the Dewspapers to help tits with the. job. Ido not mean to .say that the Harbour Board should be allowed to go to .sleep by any means. Dredging, wharf shed extensions, are absolutely essential to keep our revenue up, and if the Board do not- do this they -will .surely drop, but pin-pricks at the present tim o are, you wili agree, with me, unwarranted. —Yours faithfully.

C. F. MILLWARD.