THE HARBOUR BOARD RECLAMATION EMPOWERING BILL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 260, 27 July 1908, Page 2

THE HARBOUR BOARD RECLAMATION EMPOWERING BILL.

' Sir,—Therp is a rumour current that some members .of the Harbour Board aro desirous of dropping the reclamation provisions of this Bill, ostensibly on the ground of the opposition which the betterment clausp is/meeting with. Now the scheme for reclamation at Evans Bay for which this Bill is promoted by the Board to obtain the necessary; statutory authority, was the .result of'several-confer-ences between committees of the'City'Council and the Board, and-mth a-view-to meeting thp great, necessity that existed fori some place outside the congested business area' of the city and yet.-fairiy convenient, being provided, where several important industries could become located and scope afforded for their being- successfully carried on.' If the present Board abandon's this Evans Bay reclamation scheme, it will be a retrogado step l and going back on tho work of- the -late Board.' The betterment clause is-surely:cap-able of being so modified as to meet the more serious of the objections to it.: - Can the suggestion. recently 'made :that: Petone is ' the proper outlet for the'industries, of the city that are so hampered for-space here then have - anything to do with' the "views of; any members of the Board as to dropping the •Evans Bay reclamation scheme? Seeing that there are amongs't the Board not a few gentlemen who-are stated to be likely'candidaoes for various public honours which they-expect, to receive .'from-the citizens-of ■.Wellington, how can they reconcile their.alleged action.of ! co-operating- with - ; those JotUer.smdnibors who ' ■desire to drop''the clauses of the .Bill as to .ffeclamation, with". .i.liat-.-.iiitoresfc which they . 'wouldvbd' : exp'dcted:.'to , Bxhibrt~:in'-th'o- affairs . .and progress of tho-city .if -their .political -or municipal ambitions are to be gratified,-r-I am, etc., ; Wellington, .July 22. . ; ■ 01 VIS.