60.
ought to be lower than the ordinary rate of rent imposed upon other brown lands. The Marine Lot Holders do not wish the lands to be reclaimed. There is a difference between an act which is voluntary and an act which is compulsory. The circumstances specified in the Third Question do not in the least degree qualify the opinion I have expressed in answer to the first question.
It would be worse than useless for the work to be undertaken, except by the Government alone. On the Fourth Question I have no information to offer.
And in answer to the Fifth and last Question, I should say that when the Praya is completed there ought to be at least proper landing places for goods and passengers both; and that, as there are some places where goods cannot be conveniently landed, at all events, there ought to be provided in at least two of those places landing-places for passengers. The location of private wharves as affecting the common access to the Praya, I think a difficult question to adjust. It is one difficult to answer off-hand, and I should not like to do so. I have not studied it sufficiently to offer an opinion.
In addition to my answers to the Five foregoing heads of enquiry, I have only to say that, while I think that the Praya would have been a most excellent thing if undertaken at the commencement of the formation of the town, I have some doubt in my own mind whether this is the proper time for it. I think.
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