HARBOR WORKS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 429, 30 May 1902, Page 3

HARBOR WORKS.

(To the Editor of the Times.)

fSir, —I am gratified to seo that your paper has the audacity, shall I say, of bearding the lion in his den. You have given us one leading article, and I hope to see another or two shortly. We have read your correspondent’s letters on abovo works; will you kindly add my quota to the same purpose ? Ratepayers of Gisborne and Poverty Bay in general, are you still asleep, or are you going to still remain in the same indifferent attitude as regards works in connection with our Harbor Works'? Are you awake yet ? If not rouse yourselves and rub your eyes well till you can see clearly and intelligently. If rubbing does not succeed pray earnestly that some power may descend from the clouds above or ascend from the depths below to clear the film that still remains as an obstruction to your ocular senses. Then would you see clearly, practically, and intelligently; raise your voices loud and strong, and do not stop while the least bit of energy remains in you, but agitate, agitato, so as to get some returns for your money that has been squandered, and is still being squandered without a protest from any, with two or three exceptions. Agitato, I say, and at next election of members for Harbor Board, seo you elect men of some practical knowledge in marine matters. We have tried professional men, commercial men, and | sheep farmers. .Behold tho result 1 An immortal monument of stupidity and practical ignoranco built in concrete and called a Breakwater! What has it cost you ? What will it still cost ? What benefits derived and returns received for so. great an (expenditure ? Nil. Where is all the costly plant, great and small? How has it been utilised or disposed of, and what has it realisod ? You say I am asking impertinent questions, (so say I); but don’t smilo and shrug your shoulders when you hoar comments on same, and say, 11 It is no business of mine or yours — let them rip.” I maintain, Mr Editor, it is tho business of every individual in Poverty Bay, man, woman, and child, for those of you that are not direct ratepayers are indirect ones, therefore should have an intorest and I hopo influence in the welfare of the district. Look, I say, look, and weep at that noble piece of navai architecture called a dredgo; Co3t, they say, .£BOOO, Lord bless the designer—l would like to have tho power to put him in the stoke hole for three months. Would

ho squeak ? Why, Mr Editor, Willio Morrison could not get down that scuttle, let alone do any firing. To get him into

tho stoke hold wo would have to slide aim down the ventilator and lift him out with tho exhaust up through tho smoko stack. Three captains appointed in less than three months speaks volumes of itself. Such a beautiful model 1 Look at those symmetrical lines—what an ornament to Poverty Bay. Put it on the Breakwater with tho Horculos ; money in pocket of ratepayers, cost only ,£BOOO. Who approved the model, plans, and specifications'? Practical men ? Were tenders called for tho building ? Who was appointed Inspector while building ? Was it Noah'? Whispor says, “no fear, I do one better than that, knock to my profession.” Was tho building placed with recognised and established shipbuilders ? And why was she built in Lyttolton ? How many vessels have been built there? Dunedin, Wellington, and Auckland can claim and have ship-building establishments. Auckland especially has built more vessels of wood and iron than all the ports in the Australasian colonies put together. Why were tenders not called for in either of those ports ? Echo repeats why ? Cost only TBooo—a drop in the bucket. Wbat has she cost since arrival and likely to ? What amount of work has been completed by her since arrival ? How many cubic yards of mud have been lifted and deposited in the Bay ? Count the cost of same yourselves, but don’t squeak at results.

Davy, take my tip : erect a slip—it will pay now. You can havo it built beforo the Harbor Board’s at about the sixth of the cost, - and a more suitable site and structure. If'you should think of going on similar lines as the Harbor Board’s, put your cash in a sack and drop it over the end of the Breakwater. You would save by it., Now, working men and artizans of Poverty Bay, wako up and stir yourselves, and at next election of members for Harbor Board bring out some of yourselves, Men of forethought, sound judgment, and practical experience. Nominate them and see that they are returned. If you cannot secure of the class referred of, try and bring out half-a-dozen of the women. Put them in, and 1 fully believe your harbor finances would bo attended to with profit and your works carried on successfully with credit to our port. But plans and specifications would havo to be submitted and approved of by experienced talent, then worK tendered for and carried out by contract, and not under the present system. In conclusion, I would urge the ratepayers of Poverty Bay to wake up from their past indifference and lethargy, and introduce fresh life and blood for their future welfare and prosperity.—l am, etc., Bluejacket,