Sir,—ln your issue of yesterday's date. I observe a communication, headed " Anotheraxetosrrind," andsigned " Evening Star;" your correspondent appears to be in a dense fog. What does he mean by any person or persons getting a monopoly? As far as I am aware, no person or persons applied for a monopoly of any kind. The applicants for a site for a patent slip on the east side of the breakwater for a term of 99 years, simply requests that such site be sub mitt iul Tor sale at public auction under certain con ditions. At thesal", if it takes place, it will bo quite competent for " Evening Star" to become the purchaser of thn proposed site, if holwill comply with the conditions of sale. I may also inform him that the Custom site did not cost the ratepayers or the Harbour Hoard one shilling, let alone £3,000 ; nor am I aware that it is pro posed to utilize the site in any other way. Your correspondent writes as if he were present at the meeting of the Harbour Hoard on Tuesday hist, if so. he should avoid insinuations that he cannot substantiate. In reference lo the site on the western side of the wharf, if it is decided by the Hoard that the site applied for by Mr G-ouk will be reserved tor a patent slip, it will be sold at public auction, audit will be open to your correspondent,or any other man to compete. Therefore, where is the monopoly. Your correspondent, and those who hold similar views, and, unfortunately for Auck land, there are a good few of them, are like the dog in the manger, they will not erect slips themselves, nor would they, if they could, allow others to do so. Your correspondent is exercised over the probable competition between a small slip proposed to be erected by private enterprise ami the Auckland graving dock. Tho idea is simply absurd, and, were it true, are those inter ested in .shipping in Auckland and elsewhere in the colony to be compelled to make use of the dock whether they like it or not.— Yours, &c, 1). H. McKknzik.
