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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4137, 24 June 1874, Page 2

Because jno immediate and practical result may follow the waiting of the deputation from the City Council upon the Superintendent, it is not to be inferred that no good was done thereby. We argue, on the contrary, that one ''cry important stage in the progress of the matter just now engaging the attention of the Provincial and Municipal authorities was gained. It is conceded by botli that there ought to bo dock and wharf accommodation. No more will this have to bo argued. His Honor admitted as much. Ho might, had it so pleased him, have very easily posed the deputation. There was ono stock answer that ho might have returned. Every one knows what this is, and how incontrovertible and incombativo it is. The Provincial Treasury is not in funds, and although the Executive might possess every possible disposition to launch out into useful expenditure, it cannot do this without the necessary means. As wo have repeatedly shown, this difficulty will have to bo met, and looked fairly in the face. Public works are at a standstill because there in an empty chest at the Provincial Council Chamber. The Province suffers in consequence of this depletion, and a regard for its prosperity will not permit the want to remain unsatisfied. What the coming session may bring forth is as yet in the womb of fate. The conclusion

we gather from the reply of His Honor to the deputation, is that it is intended to ask Parliament for money, as unless some be forthcoming, it can be little use Engineers deciding what will be the best site for a dock. Thus far wo have proceeded. The Corporation and the Provincial Executive are of one mind as to the wharf and dock accommodation that there ought to be in Wellington. Now it remains to be seen what Parliament will have to say on a question of so much importance. Only by union can these very desirable objects be brought about. It is not the business of the General Government to undertake the work, the Provincial Government has not the funds, the Corporation cannot commence a colonial work with merely local funds, and between the three powers, the work remains in statu quo. If these be united, there can surely bo a means devised for remedying the existing want. At any rate the proceedings of the next session will tell us whether fault is to be attached in the matter, and to what quarter this may be sheeted home. Meanwhile we know that until the Provincial Government is in funds it can no more construct wharves or docks than it can make mountains in the moon, or wash blackamoors white. The first question the Superintendent had to put to- the deputation was the very natural one whether there was any proposition, coming with the weight of skilled authority, to submit to him respecting the construction of a graving dock. It will be obvious, on a moment’s consideration, that there could not be. No one would engage an expert to report upon the site for snob a work without first understanding whether it was to be undertaken or not. Tlie Council would have been as justified in obtaining a professional report on a submarine railway from Wellington to Picton, or any other improbable work, as upon the construction of a dock which might prove to be merely “ the baseless fabric of a dream.” Then the Superintendent asked if information had been obtained as to the probable cost of the work. He might, again, just as well have asked the probable cost of the submarine work before referred to. It is not the business of the City Council to furnish the Provincial Government with estimates. The City Council was doing its very proper work when it authorised a deputation to wait upon the Superintendent to come, to a common agreement with him if possible ; and it will be generally satisfactory to find that there is no clashing of opinions. More than this, the members of the Council will learn with pleasure that the Superintendent, being of one mind with them, will cause an examination to be made by competent authorities of the best site for a dock and what the cost of the work would bo. He had been informed that the one on the plan prepared by the Engineer to the Council was not the best, and that somewhere near to the baths would be more suitable. And as soon as he should obtain a report the Council would be informed of it, so that the work of reclamation need not bo interfered with. With the question of whoso duty it is to undertake the works he declined to deal, or to enter into. In this, there is no question, he was perfectly right. There is no doubt in anyone's mind whose duty it is, and if the Provincial Executive will at once undertake the duty of a preliminary survey and the preparation of proper estimates, it will be, we believe, with the full approbation of the inhabitants of the Province, who will be only too glad to see such unanimity prevailing. The Superintendent, by way of making things si ill more pleasant, said that he should at any time be happy to receive suggestions from the Council as to the wharf or the dock. We augur favorably from the accord that exists between tho two local governing bodies.

The next question raised related to increased wharf accommodation. This is cognate to that of a graving dock, and was, of course, dealt with in a similar manner. Tho Provincial Government can scarcely be expected to interfere with the details of tho Council’s reclamation scheme, but the fact remains as wo have previously stated it. The railway must be to a new wharf, and this will not be at tho exti'emity of the town unless the Council is prepared to reclaim the whole seventy-one acres granted. This cannot be done at the present. More easy is it to determine upon the course of action to bo pursued in reference to the platform proposed in front of the breastwork to tho bay before the Provincial Government buildings. The Superintendent acknowledges the advisability of this, and he will ascertain at what cost tho Provincial Government will be able to sell the necessary frontage to the Council. We must agree with him that the Council has had dealings with tho Provincial Executive of a profitable natui'o, but why this should be any sort of barrier to such proceedings in the future we cannot conceive. The Council wishes to protect some works of the utmost importance to the trade of Wellington, and surely ixx this the Provincial Government should heartily coalesce. If the Council obtained another good bargain, who reaps tho benefit 1 The Council ultimately might to a ti-ifling extent, but the larger part accrues to the ratepayers, who are supposed to be cared for by both the civic and tho Provincial authorities. However, there is no use in awakening animosities. Tho Provincial Executive, which certainly has done very good service, has shown a wise desire to co-operate with the City Coxxucil. Out of such co-opcx’ation good will spring. Lot but the common object Bo tho welfare of Wellington as a principal port of tho Colony, the prosperity of tho Province, and tho general progress of New Zealand, and the best results must ensue.