RIVER FRONTAGES—SALE OR NO SALE.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 289, 23 January 1878, Page 2

RIVER FRONTAGES—SALE OR NO SALE.

(To the Editor of the Patea Mail.) Sir, —X notice with regret that, at a meeting of the Patea Harbour Board, held on, I believe, the 14th instant, after some discussion had taken place, Messrs Wilson and Bridge were both strongly opposed to the ‘present sale of the river frontages, now the property of the Harbour Board, or, I should say, the County of Patea—for, after all, though the Harbour Board is not ap-

pointed according to the generally accepted notion of Local Self-government, yet, as representative men, I think that, by whatever means the members have obtained their seats, they should be to some extent guided by the general views of the majority of the public. I notice that Mr Sherwood, supported by Mr Milroy, is strongly in favour of selling the reserves along the river bank, as, according to your report. Mr Sherwood states that they must he sold in order to raise funds necessary to commence and carry on the first contract. I would call the attention of the public generally, and the Board particularly, to oho or two facts which, I venture to think, well worth consideration. Surely if the Board has power to sell, it has power to harrow on mortgage or otherwise. Hence, I imagine, that a sum sufficient for present requirements could easily be raised. Assuming the Works to be once fairly xinder weigh, would not these properties (I allude especially to the frontages between say the bridge and Milro3 ?, s Wharf) fetch by public auction from five to ten times What would be offered for them now ? Again, if the proposed Works improve the river to, say one half what is expected, and which I for one feel sure will be the result, what will follow —the doing away entirely with the present wharves —the reclamation of the foreshore —the formation of a regular qday from the points named abov?, and instead of two “ jetties” a quay alongside of which almost any number of vessels could lay and discharge or load either on to drays or into warehouses. By way of what I hope Will be considered fair argument—l put the question in this wise—'The reserves are sold absolutely—they realize what may be considered very high prices—the works at the heads turn out successful—the Board wish to improve the river further up, among other things a reclamation of the fare-shore of the river—difficulties at once crop up—compensation claims of all kinds are put in—law or arbitration as a natural sequence follow ; and, t am afraid to believe that all or nearly all the money these reserves would fetch, would be swallowed in costs,- &c. I, of course, assume that persons buying the reserves would be morally and legally to tire complete and unfettered frontage of or to the stream. I would respectful 1\ T , yet earnestly, request the Board to well consider the foregoing, as well as other arguments which mightbebroughtforward, before disposing of what may be almost i considered as the birth right of the river, i—T am, &c.,NEMO,