To the Editor of the Evening Star.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 304, 31 December 1870, Page 2

To the Editor of the Evening Star.

Sir, —In the interests of the working men of Auckland, I crave your powerful voice ami assistance against the injustice mul despotism of a short-sighted and imbecile Government.

You have, doubtless, watched with some interest tlie improvements that liavo been effected at the breakwater, with a view of affording increased nccoinino lation lo our large fleet of coasters, and the dealers who purohns ■ the freights of firewood, &a. The allotments iiave been ponged o!f and put up for suitl :ii tlie upset price of £30 per annum ; and tlie wharfinger has been instructed to warn all masters of coasters that their freights (if deposited on the present firewood wharf) must be removed within twenty-four hours, with the object, no doubt, of obliging the agents ov owners to become purchasers of the sai:l allotments on tlie breakwater. Those who arc acquainted with tlie trade and large demand for firewood in the city of" Auckland must be fully aware that to discharge and remove the cargoes within the stipulated time is an impossibility. Even were all the drays on the stand available for the purpose, the alternative is equally preposterous. Tlie breakwater is not fit for the purpose in its present stale. A small amount of traffic would convert it into a sea of mud, and tho rent is extortionate —an increased taxation for the poor man—indirect, of course.

Can you tell me, Mr. Editor, "why the breakwater allotments (under certain restrictions) should not be free for the deposit of coal and firewood ? The tolls now charged, with an addition, say, of three pence for the firewood depot, would be ample to repay our generous Government.

The effect of tho proposed regulations will be to completely paralyze the firewood trade, and throw out of employment many of the hard-worked boatmen, as it will not pay them to remain alongside the wharf until their cargoes have been distributed about tho city and suburbs of Auckland, and it will no 1", pay the dealers to givo £30 per annum to the Government, in addition to from £20 or £30 far tolls. Some of your correspondents perhaps can furnish us with some ideas that will meet the requirements of the Government and the trade.

My humble opinion is, that the tolls received at the Custotn-house-streoL have fully paid both interest and sinking fund, toward any improvement in I hat quarter.

Hoping to provoke some discussion in this matter—l am, &c.,

A Victim.