CORRESPONDENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2049, 9 April 1907, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

! MR W. L. REES’ SCHEME.. To the Editor of the Gisborne Times. Sir, —I was pleased to read your leading article of Saturday morning upon the subject of my proposals to the public bodies of Poverty Bay. The article itself sufficiently indicates your belief that the matters discussed aro of vital importance to the welfare of this district, and reading between the lines I perceive a distinct challenge from' the Gisborno Times to prove my assertions, and to maintain the reasonableness of this measures which I suggest. I do not mean that this challenge is in any way antagonistic, but that it demands from me, while placing myself before the public with very large and important public proposals, proof of the soundness of my arguments, and a valid reason for the faith that is in me. I do not hesitate therefore to request space and opportunity in your columns to answer the many queries which you make, to explain the difficulties or ambiguities to which you direct public attention, and to show that my proposals are feasible and can be carried into completion without loss, but with positive gain to the public. The matters are of such great public moment that your columns cannot be turned to a better use. In the first place it may be taken for granted that an outer harbor for Gisborne must be built;, that stone must bo provided for the streets of the Borough and the roads of the County; and that the great forests of valuable timber, now being destroyed and wasted, should be turned into a valuable asset both for the owners and the public generally. If, in securing these benefits the country towards Tahora and Waikaremoana can be opened for settlement, the port charges reduced,' and the prices of building timber, of firewood, of coal, and gas can be reduced, it goes without saying that the people of this district will have substantial benefits conferred upon them. Without assuming too much, I think that I can support not only my main contentions bub the certainty of these subsidiary advantages being gained. The works to be done are obvious. 1. The construction of a deep sea harbor on the site and generally ac-

cording to the plans chosen and made by Mr F. W. Merchant. 2. The obtaining of say IUU,UUU cubic yards " of road metal for the lounty Council and the Borough Council. 3. The utilisation of the timber 'oreSts between Waikaremoana and die Motu and the opening as a accessary consequence by tramways if that most valuable and fertile 2011 ntry now practically inaccessible. My proposals to the three public bodies amount to this: A. That the Harbor Board, the Borough Council, and the County Council shall join together for the above purposes. B. That the united Councils shall by means of a Bocal Bill obtain permission to borrow the sum of £250,000 upon debentures having a currency of thirty years and bearing interest not exceeding 44 jier cent, per annum with a sinking fund of J per cent, per annum. C. That the money so to be raised shall be ear-marked for the following purposes: 1. For the Harbor, £loo,oop. 2. For the building of a tramway or light railway from the site of the breakwater to Waihirere, with a branch line through Patutahi township to the Patutalii quarries with ample rolling stock, £50,000. 3. For the quarrying, crushing, and carting 100,Olio cubic yards of metal for the County and the Borough (from Patutalii for the County Council only to its various depots, and from Patutalii and Waihirere for the Borough in the proportions recommended by the Borough Engineer), £30,000. 4. For the erection of three sawmills, one at the Motu, one at Tahora, and one upon land to be reclaimed near the site of the harbor, £15,000. 5. Allowance for supervision upon these works and contingencies, £IO,OOO. These amount in the aggregate to £205,000, leaving a balance unexpended of £45,000, which 1 propose shall be devoted to the complete development of the timber industry, as being the source from whence the full payment for the interest and sinking fund of the whole loan is to be derived. It will be noticed that I have hero altered the order and amount of the figures contained in my former memorandum. I have placed the sum of £IOO,OOO towards the construction of the harbor in lieu of £BO,OOO. I have reduced the proposed appropriation for the railway to £50,000, as upon full consideration I am of opinion that the light railway or tramway to be constructed as a public work need not be carried to Wharekopae, but may well stop either at the Patutahi township or the Patutahi quarries. I propose to deal with these questions seriatim, taking them in the order in which they stand as above. I will therefore consider the question of the harbor construction in my next letter, and I hope that the public as well as the Times newspaper will not only criticise my statements as they proceed, but will put such questions through the press as they may deem necessary for the explanation of any points which may be in doubt or seemingly overlooked. —I am, etc., W. L. REES. [We shall be pleased to give Mr Rees, or anyone slse, ample space for the discussion of any matter that may tend to promote the welfare of the district; but before Mr Rees proceeds to discuss this matter it is incumbent upon him to show first of all whether the airing of the above scheme. at this stage will not prejudice the position of the outer harbor.—Ed. G.T.]

THE PUBBIC BIBRARY.

The Editor Gisborne Times. Dear Sir, —Ca yon tell me why it is that the reading room in' your town opens only from 1.30 p.m. ? If the people, permanently resident in Gisborne, do not awaken sufficiently to digest the morning paper before 1.30, surely common everyday courtesy should place a morning paper before visitors, previous to that late hour in the day. Besides which, sir, visitors with plenty of time on their hands, enjoy a comfortable read in the morning equally as well as in the afternoon. Though in your town only a few days, I have repeatedly seen people stroll round in the morning with expectant faces, to see if the readingroom was open; gaze wonderingly at the closed doors, and then with a very disappointed look, walk away in search of a newspaper office, to buy a paper, when they would walk to the nearest bench, put up their umbrellas and settle down to comfortably see the latest news. This, although of course alright for the newspaper proprietor, is very unpleasant. I can personally assure you, sir, that on my first arriving in your town, after looking around for awhile, I enquired my way to the reading room I was greeted with a vacant, bewildered stare, and then slowly came these words: “It’s round the next corner on your left, mister, but wo hero don’t read till half-past one. I am, etc., A VISITOR. [The matter is purely one of cost. If the Librarian were expected * to attend at 9 a.m. her salary would have to be increased, and the extra revenue required could hardly be recouped from those who would use the reading room before 1.30.—Ed G.T.I