MR WEBER AND HIS SHINGLE FAD.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3881, 27 December 1883, Page 4

MR WEBER AND HIS SHINGLE FAD.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Sir,—l regret to find by your issue of Saturday that Mr Weber is again seized by another paroxysm of his old " harbor fad." The "oldost settlor" and Mr Weber arc tho only persons, it appears, capable of computing the enormity of our shingle supply, and all others who express different views are of course looked upon by Mr Weber in the same light as "all men" were by King David when his temper was slightly heated—not over reliable. In the question of extension of the present works vcmis breakwater Mr Weber rejoices to find himself in respectable company with such eminent men as Messrs Carruthers, Coodc, Hawkshaw, and Abernethy. There is no question as to the respectability and eminence of tho company referred to, but the interesting point to be solved is how Mr Weber came to be there ? There is littlo doubt that the present works designed by Mr Carruthers wero based on information supplied by Mr Weber. There is equally little doubt that Sir John_ Coode's report was also based on tho same information. In his report Sir John appears to give credit to whom it is due, _ as, after recommending the various extensions of tho ■works by "installments" as the shingle menaces the entrance, so as to render the "first," "second," and "third installment " necessary, he returns his thanks to "Mr Weber for the valuable information supplied." What part Mr Weber may havo played in the supplying of information for tho late competitive designs, and whether he may have played any, is merely a matter of conjecture. Nevertheless, the fact is patent, that Sir John Hawkshaw and Mr Abernethy decided on insufficient data. Mr Culchcth, to whom the prize was awarded by the English judges, admits himself wrong, and does not hesitate to attach his mistake to the "information supplied." Still Mr Weber chides the Board for rejecting Mr Culcheth's design, and for not accepting our limestone bluff as the source of our shingle difficulty, while lie himself, in the same letters, draws attention to an "old chimney at Waitangi. " to mark its source from that quarter. Looking, Sir, at the past, and reflecting on Mr Weber's proffossional career in connection with this town, one cannot but come to one conclusion, and that is this—if the people of Napier, in their goodness of heart, can afford to allow Mr Webur to retire and " rest iv peace " he ought to well afford to allow the progress of the town and country to proceed unmolested —I am, aud &c, Old Resident. Napier, December 24, 1883.