“Another Harbor Bloomer.”

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 503, 16 August 1902, Page 3

“Another Harbor Bloomer.”

(To tho Editor of the Times )

y rß) _No doubt there are a tew u nor : decided majority of raterayers and resi dents who regret that Mr Matthewson an< his supporters were defeated at the Bpecia meeting of the Harbor Board on Friday August Bth, called specially to rescind hn resolution carried at the previous meeting We did not think other results would b< achieved, seeing that the contract had beer let and several of the piles driven, but w< desire to give them credit for endeavoring to rectify a most glaring blunder befori the work had gone 100 far. Bettor far had the Harbor Board compromised with the contractor and altered the plans as suggested by Mr Matthewson ; then we would hovo had a more sightly and serviceable structure in every respect, whereas now it is a continuation of a veritable silt trap, similar to what their slip sito will be. Probably a lesson has been learnt by the Harbor Board members, and that is, to devote more time to the studying of plans | of any future works before tenders are

callsd for the same. Is it possible, Mr Editor, to find out the wheroabouts of that poor unfortunate surveyor who originally laid out tho town of Gisborne V If so, it might be as well to inform him of what his reception into Gisborno would be if he thought at any time of returning, for it has been stated in public, and by those who ought to bo the last to condemn him, that if they had the power they would give him twelve years. Might I now ask what ho deserves so severe a sentence for? Is it becauso ho laid out some of our streets a chain and a half wido, and especially tho one from the Whataupoko bridge to the wharf? Certainly ho neglected to finish off his work by not sloping the bank and sowing grassseed, otc., but I maintain he displayed a large amount of forethought which appears sadly deficientin prosent harbor works. Ho evidently knew there would be a future for Gisborne and he therefore laid out his work for that purpose and to be a credit to himself hereafter. If he was residing here now and had tho opportunities and

power some have got on the Harbor Board, there is not a doubt but wo would have our Harbor Works carried out with a bettor system, and with a greater and more perfect display of engineering skill. Another gentleman I would like to seo as a momber of our Harbor Board, and that is Mr D. Whyto. Ho certainly appears to have a good grasp of what ought to bo done in connection with our present harbor, and I am confident that cortain ideas enunciated by him will eventually be matured, in fact they force themselves upon us whether we like them or not as the place progresses, for to make an innor harbor as contemplated by somo will never bo accomplished successfully, tho formation of surrounding country having placed natural difficulties in the way ..that no engineering skill will overcome, unless the course of the Waimata and tho tributaries of the Taruheru are altered and given another outlet. In conclusion I would suggest that the ratepayers of Poverty Bay should as early as possiblo form themselves into a Batepayors’ Association ; then there will be a possibility of their receiving an education in local polities that would enable them torendor their valuablo assistance and votes in electing men as local representatives, who in tho future will prove themselves worthy of tho trust placed with thorn. — I am, etc., S. William Oxenham.