NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 175, 27 July 1903, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR QUESTION.

TO EDITOR. Sir, —As " h:==- question has now rescind a vo- oit -n f . period in its hist ry peri hps you will allow me a word on Mio aspect of it that I have not seen referred to. By the decision of the Ilartour B v rd at its last meeting, to promote a Bill to authorise the borrowing of another £300,000, it beccm's imperative that the ratepayers, throughout the whole harbour rating district, shall come to a decision, either for or sgiinst tie proposal; bat for them to be able to arrive at a correct decision it is absolutely necessary that the fullest information regarding the proposal should bs placed before tbem.

So far as this district is concerned I have not yet met one in possession of even the barest outline of the proposed ■chame, beyond the bare fact that it is proposed to borrow .£300,000 to extend the New Plymouth harbour. While we have on the other hand the emphatic declarations of our trusted representatives on the Harbour Board, that the proposal will only result in increased rates with no compensating advantages. lam satisfied that a large number of ratepiyers throughout the district dislike very much having to come to a decision on eo important a question without having an opportunity of weighing carefully the evidence for, as we'l as again6t, and who regret having to condimn the scheme without knowing what its promoters have to say in i<£ favour. Should the Board

persist in pushing this proposed Bill through the House, without in the firstplace taking the ratepayers into their confidence, by placing before them a full statement of tbe grounds upon . which the proposed scheme is based, with full particulars as to the necessity for proposed works, tbe amount of increase in rut*.-, piosp-ct of increased trale, etc., they will be forced in self dinco to resist tho proposal. It ap pears tj r-.e, that this should be dens before any further steps art t-kai, and if the promoters have a good sch; ;n , auc one hat will be of general bemfi: te tho whole district, they should show tr.tii cofifidi'nce in it by placing it fu !y b i- !■ the ratepayers without del y. T.- :-,V y■}'<' rs would cot then be in the- tin vl.\blj p sit ion cf havinp I to co' ij. M . *!■>( rae without the k; o ..■ ;s m, its. -1 am, e'e, Jami-s Boddie. ESthau, 21 h July, 1933.