CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2064, 31 March 1909, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters is welcomed at all times,: but at must be distinctly understood that ibis journal is in pq ypy associated with the opinions pf itg ‘correspondent's.'} EAST COAST FREEZING WORKS. [To The; Editor.] - Sir, —Your correspondent, “Fiat Lux,”' in Friday’s issue, in advocating the claims of Tologa Bay as a site for freezing wofks, Says'lie; has a thorough knowledge of the geography of the East Coast, and' further says Tologa Bay would require no’.expenditure on breakwater or artificial' harbor, as Cook’s Covo affords splendid shelter for oceangoing steamers, and the river affords excellent refuge for lightering plant. Now:, Sir, your correspondent surely can never have seen Cook’s Cove or lie would not make such a rash statement as to say that an ocean-going steamer could go anywhere near it. In fact’, one of the mutton boats that call here is much longer than Cook’s Gove, in which there is only about 10ft of water, with foul ground in front of it, ancl subject to a heavy range in easterly weather. It was right enough for Captain Cook to fill his boats with water there on the beach, but his ship, the Endeavour, never came within a mile of it. The-cove. is only, -fit for boats drawing two or three feet of water. It' is not even fit for the lighters to shelter in, as unless they were hauled up high and dry they would be smashed up in an easterly’ gale. Then if they were to be kept in the river there is the chance; of their being bar-bound, which might be for days. I know, nothing of the capabilities of Tokomaru as a shipping place, but I am certain that any nautical man will bear me out in - saying Tologa Bay is totally unsuitable as a shipping port for frozen mutton.—l am, etc., - , . ! 1 G. J. B. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION. [To The Editor.] Sir,—Whilst thanking those citizens who have honored me by* proposing nomination for a -seat- with the city fathers* ‘ I may state definitely that it is impossible for me at present to entertain' the suggestion. We have' now come to a crucial period in the municipal history, of Gisborne, to meet witn . which we require the very best materialin the. shape of intellect that we can possibly secure. The present juncture is : one which cannot be combated successfully with raw recruits, in the degree of amateurs, and I am quite sure there are many good competent men—some of whom are at present on the Council—who have had considerable- cx- : perience in civic affairs in other parts of our Dominion, .whose services would be invaluable to ns at the Council table. As an ex-councillor I would ' suggest that the nominees be men who have previously boon before the public, who have sonic knowledge of Parliamentary procedure, and who are prepared at all. hazards to throw their whole energies into the work of removing the anathema which has characterised our Council during the past year. At all events, let us have men of clean hands, and minds free from bias, who will work honestly and zealously, for the publio good without fear or favor of the c-liair.- —I am, etc., FORBES W. RIACH. .