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SEWERAGE AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENT.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sir,— There appears to be some ambiguity, and, therefore, some anxiety, about the wharf accommodation. The great increase in the mercantile and other business of the city and province requires that a matter of such importance should not be lost sight of. As things stand, it appears to me that the Provincial Government, having sold their interest in the wharf will not trouble their heads about it; and having the power, are resolved to make as much money as they can, both out of and under the water, of lands which of right ought to be reserved for the use and accommodation of the harbor. The purchase of the reclaimed land for, say, £IIO,OOO, at 0 per cent, will entail yearly interest to be paid by the taxpayers of Wellington of £6600, or more than the present taxation of the city; and as it will be some years before any return can be expected under any circumstances, it will so cripple and cramp the municipality that nothing can possibly be done either towards wharf accommodation or the drainage of the city, so that two of the most important things for the health and welfare of the city and harbor will remain neglected. And if the population of the city increases in the same ratio as it has for the last two years, we must expect something calamitous to happen. It is a wonder we have escaped so well as we have, considering "'the stench arising in all our main streets through the want of proper sewerage. It is time the people took the matter into their own hands, as it will take some years to drain the city properly and effectually, or to provide wharf accomodation, which ought to be ready by the time the railroad is finished into the interior, for either the railroad system will be a failure or the work at the wharf will be doubled, and as a matter of course the population and nuisances of the city in the same ratio. X would, therefore, seriously recommend the people of Wellington to consider whether it would not be better to petition both Houses of Parliament to disallow the provincial Bill for the sale of the land that is being reclaimed, and pray the General Government to constitute a harbor board for the management of the harbor and wharf, and retain the land to endow the same to carry out the works required to meet the wants which will certainly arise. If the municipality can borrow money, and the people are to be taxed, let the money be spent in the legitimate way of draining the city and securing the health and comfort of its inhabitants. At the same time the citizens should petition the Government to make Wellington a federal city, and free it from the evil influence of provincialism, and strengthen the municipality by giving it the fees collected from licenses and tines within the boundaries of the federation. Until this is done I see no hope of the harbor being made suitable for the requirements of the business that is likely to arise, nor of the city improving in cleanliness and health. —1 am, &c., r A Citizen.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18750510.2.36

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4411, 10 May 1875, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
541

SEWERAGE AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENT. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4411, 10 May 1875, Page 5

SEWERAGE AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENT. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4411, 10 May 1875, Page 5

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