THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3457, 23 January 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1880.

Ik another column we publish the report of the doings of a deputation that waited on the Harbor Board re the Kauaeranga channel leading up to Shortland wharf. That there is a necessity for something being done if Sbortland is to continue a port of call is patent to all, and fhe Harbor Board have been impressed with this opinion for some time. The only thing against the Board at once carrying out the request of the deputation is the very low state of their finances. The present Board took over an almost bankrupt institution, and during their term of office hare adopted a policy of strict economy and retrenchment, and to their credit be it stated that not only have they been able to administer their Junctions with the small nieaus at their disposal, but they have also reduced the overdraft by the very respectable sum of £400. A compliance with the wishes of the deputation will necessitate a subversal of their policy, and even if they are successful in securing the necessary lunds out of the Bauk of New Zealand, before proceeding with the work the Board should assure themselves that the expenditure of the money will perform what is required. We have already suffered enough, in a pecuniary sense, fur the blindfold adoption of old womens' theories about dredging, etc., and we should set our faces against the expenditure of any money unless it is clearly demonstrated by experts that the work will be permanent, and not merely a costly experiment. It is true that Sir John Coode's report says something about this channel, but it would appear that that great man only draws his deductions from statements made to him, and not from personal information. We are not writing with the obj ct of throwing cold water on the project—far from that —iudeed we reiterate that we consider it a highly important work, and {f the conditions prescribed are carried out, we will be inclined to give it our hearty approval. It is stated and we believe it to be a fact that the closing ot the old channel was caused by some logs from the mill netting adrift and creating an obstruction which diverted the water from its original courso. If this is true, surely the proprietors of the mill are to a certain extent liable; at any rate we think they should be called on to contribute something to the cost of removing the obstruction. The JJ arbor Board have appointed a committee to enquire into the matter aud report, and we hope before doing so they will satisfy themselves clearly on the points mentioned.