CORRESPONDENCE.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 47, 29 April 1902, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

Sir : On reading your very interesting little paper, I noticed that at a meeting of the local branch of the Farmers’ Union, Mr Guy’s proposition, that the Motueka Harbor Board he directly elected by the ratepayers, was lost. By doing so I consider the members not only voted against their own interest, but against the interest of the districts interested in the Motueka wharf. The present system means stagnation; the other advancement. The ratepayers, in electing the Borough Mayor and also the members of the County Council, overlook the fact that they will also constitute the Harbour Board. Take, for instance, the present board. With, all due respect to the gentlemen who compose it, the chairman certainly ships a little produce, but tbe other two members seldom, or never ship anything over the wharf. Now, I ask, are they a suitable board to represent a community com- ' posed largely of fruit growers and storekeepers, who for months in the year are using the wharf every day? Most emphatically, No. And they are an example of the Boara we must expect under the present system. Those who favour it seem to do so on the ground of economy (very commendable if sound), and by overworking the wharfinger, and putting shippers to great inconvenience and loss, prevent an increased wharfage. But it is a moral certainty that, at no very distant date, the wharfage must be increased, Then why not make some advancement, and give shippers some additional advantage to compensate them for paying it ? It frequently happens a shipper arrives at the wharf to find eight or ten carts waiting to unload. After patiently waiting, his turn comes ; he unloads his half ton of produce, and pays sixpe nee wharf age. But he has lost an hour for himself and horse, worth, ■at a very low estimate, one shilling. An increase of say, threepence, would enable the Board to give facilities to prevent loss of time, but their system of economy causes the shipper to lose one shilling to save threepence. Further, there is no protection for fruit' stacked on the wharf, often for. days exposed to the sun in the day time, and sweating und'er a tarpaulin at night, On account of such treatment, pounds are lost by the shipper through deterioration. A fortnight ago the Wellington boat was four days behind her advertised time. I had a shipment of peaches awaiting her on the wharf, undergoing the treatment I have just described, with the result they arrived at Wellington worthless, the whole shipment realising three shillings. I attribute my loss entirely to the want of protection on the Motueka wharf, as late peaches will keep for seven or eight days. Sir, to my humble mind, this sort- of economy is too expensive. In conclusion, are we to have a Board elected directly by the ratepayers, which means advancement, with an annual cost of £2O or £25, or are we to have this present system of stagnation, with its many losses, other than those I have described, not the least of > which is a great handicap to the ad- > vancement of the Borough ? s I am, etc., . Thos. Pattie

To the Editor. Sir: X have known Mr Guy, of Kgatimoti for many years and on occasions have had occasion to stride at some of what he calls schemes —fads X say —such as building a whaif out into the Pacific Ocean for the better accomodation of steamers plying to Motueka, but I must give him credit for the suggestion brought forward by him at the late meeting of the Farmer's Union with reference to having an elective Harbor Board, instead of the present trinity affair. I hope he will not be disheartened by the objections brought forward, but will agitate all the more (Until we have a direct voice in this matter. We in Riwaka could not expect Mr Drummond to vote for anything which would help, the disti-ict along ;he is one of the old fashioned sort and it takes a book agent or a Cheviot earthquake to move them. Regarding Mr Everett, he wants a seat in the County Council and as that will give him a say in the Harbor Board, you can’t expect him to argue way than he did. I think Mr Guy’s scheme an excellent one, for we ought to have more members and direct representation. I am, etc., Fruit Grower. Itiwaka, April 26th.