THE HARBOR QUESTION.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 563, 29 January 1891, Page 2

THE HARBOR QUESTION.

The Harbor Board took the most sensible course on Tuesday evening in regard to the harbor wofks. The fact is patent that the time has arrived when the district must desist from experimenting with the works. Past experience has impressed the ratepayers with the fact that engineers are not infallible, and if Mr O’Connor himself were positive that the expenditure of a further £21.000 would give us what he hopes may be obtained, the advice would still be viewed with grave misgivings. But the Marine Engineer offers us nothing with confidence, and therefore the position is relatively much worse than if he himself were not so dubious. That being the condition of things, it is evident that nothing can be done by the district at present, and the question arises whether the Government is likely to do anything. There can be nothing lost by trying, but if only the district’s own money is to be spent, the advantage of placing it in the hands of Government is not at all clear. Any one who thinks they will go beyond the recommendations in Mr O'Connor’s gloomy report must be of a very sanguine temperament. That report indicates that the greater portion of the machinery will not be required, and if Government took up the work there is only the remotest chance that anything would be done outside the report of the Marine Engineer. Where there are such faint prospects of the machinery being required, and with the knowledge of the way the machinery is depreciating, there ought to be little difference of opinion as to what is the proper thing to do with it if the opportunity offers. That is a mere matter of calcu lation. If the machinery can be maintained in the best order, there is still a compound interest sum to work up which will soon give a large total. Anyone can see for himself the sorry condition into which the machinery is fast drifting. On the other hand it will take many months to make enquiries as to the possibility of getting a sale for the machinery, and in the meantime the Board will be fairly able to ascer. tain what chances there may be in other directions. The time is one for activity, and whatever may be the individual opinions on the subject, there will be unanimity on the one point, that nothing will be lost and much good may be done by keeping the district’s claims prominently to the front.