The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1909. THE HARBOR BOARD DREDGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2472, 10 April 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1909. THE HARBOR BOARD DREDGE.

It is so seldom we find ourselves in accord with Air. W. D. Lysnarbs public actions that it is with pleasure we draw attention to the perfectly proper attitude he adopted at Thursday’s meeting of the Harbor Board. With that extreme readiness to go into committee when any matter of really great public concern is being discussed the members excluded the press when discussing' the project of purchasing a dredge. In all probability there may have been some aspects of the question that it was injudicious should be made public at the present juncture, for important negotiations may often be prejudiced by such a. course, but this docs not justify the Board in maintaining a complete silence on the points raised by Air. Lysnar. We have no doubt that his objections can easily be answered —probably were answered in committee —but that is of no satisfaction to the public, who only know what they read in the press reports of the proceedings. Air. Lyanar says that the dredge which it is proposed to buy cannot work in the river, and, if it is bought, that the Board may have to buy or loan some other dredge to dig it out of the mud. The contention is possibly as absurd as other creations of Air. Lysnar’s fertile imagination, but it is due to the ratepayers that they should have some idea as to liow the dredge will work in the channel with its present shallow depth. The resolution of tbe Board stipulates that 15 per cent, of the purchase money must remain unpaid until a satisfactory trial has been given, but the Board must surely have some sound rc-asoms for believing the dredge will do the work required; and it seems to us that they can do no better than let the public know them. Then there is the question of how the dredge is to bo .paid for ; and hero again. Mr. Lysnar seems to have made a very reasonable request. We cannot behove that the Board lias gone as far as it has in this matttei’ without having formed some plan for dealing with the financial aspect, although the proviso in Captain Tucker’s resolution seems to throw a doubt upon the matter. The money can, of course, he found, but ratepayers arc entitled to know what scheme Elm members have in their minds for raising the accessary., amount. : We'believe the ... . .* , * . i

Coard will take a wise step in purchasing a dredge, but consider that the public is entitled to a good deal more information on the matter than has been vouchsafed up to the- present. There may be nothing in AD - . Lysnar’s objections, but as they were made they should have been answered, .and the policy of the Board on a most important matter should have been disclosed to those who will have to foot the. bill.