THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1874.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 173, 2 May 1874, Page 2

THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES.

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1874.

" The spirit of the times s7tall teach me speed." KIi»G JOHN, ACT IV.

Coujld it not be possible for the Town Board to reclaim a space of the Beach in the township of Tauranga below high water mark — nay, from Captain Tanks’ point to the Monmouth Redoubt, borrowing funds to make a commencement with upon the security of rates F If the Board could obtain a promise that such reclaimed land would be handed over to them, they would have no dilllculty, after once making a fair start, in raising money from time to time upon the work done and land reclaimed, in order to carry on operations to a completion. There is no doubt but that the land so reclaimed would enormously recoup the expense of the outlay, and form almost valuable endowment in years to come. Of course there are objectors, who may urge the probable deterioration in value of the present beach frontages; but there never were yet any comprehensive public improvements by which private interests were not more or less affected, and even what are called “ vested interests” are always understood to give way for the common weal of the public. Amongst the advantages which such a reclamation would secure, we may mention a regular quay in water deep enough for vessels to lie alongside, which would add to the appearance of the town, greatly increase the accommodation, for craft of every description, and give an immense impetus to our shipping trade. A stone wall could be easily built —something similar to that at the cemetery—and there is plenty of materiel in Harington-street and near the Constabulary Redoubt for “ filling in.” We are, of course, aware that the question is materially one of cost, and are willing to admit that there are more urgent public works requiring immediate attention ; yet it is rarely, if ever, found that public improvements in a growing town are not the best investments for Corporate funds.

Another question presents itself. In the case of supineness on the part of the Town Board, would it not be practicable for private speculators to step in and, by means of an Act of Parliament, to construct the improvements we have pointed out for their own advantage ? True, the community would benefit by the increased accommodation, but the town and harbour would lose an immensely valuable endowment !

We should very much like to know when the construction of the Wairoa bridge is to be commenced. It is now a considerable period since the contract was let, and we are at a loss to understand why so important a public work should be suffered to remain uncommenced so long. Every one knows that without a bridge across the Wairoa the Xatikati road is almost valueless, and, even for merely horse traffic highly objectionable, the ordinary ford being extremely dangerous, as the loss of several useful lives painfully attests. The drainage of the town would appear to be almost accomplished by private enterprise, the owners of several low-lying allotments having utilized the soil removed from the foundations of the new public offices, which, when deposited, raises the level of their ground considerably above the road. This wise precaution has been taken none too soon, for the weather is showing evident signs of a general break-up. It is a thousand pities that tiie down .Board should not have availed themselves of the long spell of fine weather we have had to effect the proposed drainage works. After a few heavy fails of rain, the ground will bo perfectly unmanageable, drains will choke, and the works will, of necessity, have to be suspended. The contracts, however, .having been let, the loss by delay will fall on the Contractors ; nevertholesss, it is a reflection on the activity and promptitude of the Board that the matter has been so long under consideration, and bo commenced only now, when the summer is past.

Ths Coralic, winch arrived from Tairua on Wednesday evening, is, we believe, the Jargest cutter that has visited Tanranga, at any rate, for some time past. Ucr beam is l7iffc, while that of the Southern Cross is only 15ft. One of her

foremast hands deserted since her arrival, and has been lodged in the redoubt under warrant. A desertion also took place from the cutter Miranda, but Captain Stevens did not consider the services of the individual worth the expense of legal process. Such desertions from good employment indicate the existence of attractions ashore, possibly in the shape of better wages or more agreeable occupation, and in so fur are proofs of the growing prosperity of the district.