THE RECLAIMED LAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4579, 23 November 1875, Page 2

THE RECLAIMED LAND.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW .ZEALAND TIMES. Sin,—lf the Legislative Council had not obstructed the Corporation in their scheme for purchasing the land newly being reclaimed, we would now have to prepare for payment of interest on the purchase money, being at the same time encumbered with an overdraft of £IO,OOO, and having an income insufficient to enable us to keep the streets in proper repair. Considering that the land must of necessity become part of tiie city whether the Corporation purchases it or not, we may deem ourselves happily quit of a bad bargain. It can't remain idle. A large portion of it is already allotted for Government works. The Crown is bound to provide for the balance being dedicated to such uses as shall be most beneficial to the public, and therefore to the city. It might be handed over to a Board of Works empowered to sell, or lease portions of It, and to devote the proceeds, after defraying the costs of reclamation and management, to harbor improvements, such as dredging, and making and maintaining wharves and docks. The city might reap much more benefit by such being done than if it were handed over to the Corporation. Such a scheme need not interfere with the powers of the Corporation to collect rates, or to enforce its bye-laws. Not the least advantage would be the fact that the income would be secured for a definite purpose of unquestionable utility to the public generally, and to Wellington only incidentally.—l am, &c., Quest. November 22.