HARBOR MATTERS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 625, 11 July 1882, Page 2

HARBOR MATTERS.

Wβ are glad to see, by the report of the meeting of the Farmers' Club, published in this issue, that our leader on Wharf matters has directed general attention to that subject. The speakers seem to be all agreed on the one question that the present tariff is notoriously unjust and ineffective, and that the sooner it is altered the better for all con-'l'nied ; and we hope that no valuable time will be lost in putting what is evidently the wish of the majority ot the pt'o;ile into foive. Mr Duxbury, however, in the course of a long address, raised an entirely new question, viz., the estiblishment of a Harbor Board. A great deal of what he said was much to the point, but it lost force from the intemperate way in which he spoke of the Borough of Akaroa. It is a great pity to hear a man possessing the sense Air Duxbury undoubtedly does, speaking contemptuously of any section of the community. It can do no good, and often tends to raise an unpleasant feeling. Wβ remind Mr Duxbury of the old fable of the dispute between the organs of the body; how the legs refused to obey the brain, thinking themselves more important, and the arms would not condescend to work with the legs ; the dispute ending, as such disputes always must, in the dissentients agreeing, after a great deal o( unnecessary quarrelling and misery, that one could not do without the other. The town certainly could never exist without the country, but, then, banks, stores, and a hundred other town institutions are not utterly useless to the farmers ; and to.vn and country should be columns of mutual support to each other, insteid of opponents. We quite agree with Mr Dnxbury that it is a great mistake to allow the Borough Council to administer' th , affairs of th> Harbor. Our harbor is not only our boast, but it is the means we all look to, to eventually establish the prosperity of Akaroa. Kancy what people would say if it were proposed to entrust the conduct of Lyttelton H irbor affairs to the Lyttelton Borough Council! And yet that body, in point of administrative ability, vvi:l bear a very favorable comparison indeed with our own Council. It may, of course, be argued that the Lyttelton itifeivsts are vast, whereas ours are at present small; but that does not do away with the fact that we are all conscious that a Board could be constituted that would be more likely to administer Harbor affairs successfully than any Borough Council ever could. That the country should be fully represented on such a board, as well as the town, is a muter on which we entirely agree with Mr Duxbury, for all exporters and importers are interested, and therefore have a right to a voice in the matter. Besides this, the present administrators have no power beyond the two wharves in Akaroa itself, and the Government jetties at Wainui, Duvauchelles, and Barry's B.ay are not looked after at all, and are gradually falling into decay. We have Mr Duxbury s authority for the fact that the people of Wainui are bo cognisant of this fact, that they are anxious to be rated for repairs to their wharf. If, therefore, a Harbor Board were established to be composed of representatives of various interests, like the other Harbor Boards, we believe it would be of advantage to the district, and ifc is quite possible such a body would in a short time make the Customs aware of the.fact , that such a port us Akaroa is in existence. The composition of such a Board i (vould not be difficult to determine. Ine Government would probably reser c the right of nominating two of its members ; Akaroa would furnish two, one being the Mayor for the time being, and the other whoever the burgesses chose to 3lect ; two could be nominated by the bounty Council ;. and three elected by ;he residents in the Berard and Wainui Hidings. These partly nominated and partly sleeted Boards have been very successful n many cases, and we do not see why hey should not be of great benefit here, fliere is one probable advantage that nust not be overlooked, and that is, hat such a Board could bo granted sorrowing powers, so that the muchleeded extension of the principal wharf sould bo carried out, and the others kept n decent repair. A very moderate ariff, if properly en'breed, would saffice o pay tne interest and sinking fund on he comparatively small sum required ; md the increased accommodation, and ionsequent increase of revenue, should end to the advantage of all concerned. There is of course the question of ex)erse. No one can doubt that such a

system will be more costly, as elections cannot be conducted without money, and there would have to be a Secretary. Bud if there is no increase in the present business, that post could be filled by the Town Clerk or a Road Board Clerk, who would probably undertake the task for a very moderate sum, and work it in with Ins o!her avocations. In any case it is a matter worthy of consideration, and we think Mr Duxbury de-erves the thanks of the county *br bringing it forward. It cati be thought over and temperately discussed, and even if the majority think it is better to let matters remain as they are at present, a certain interest will have been awakened on harbor matters that can hardly fail to have beneficial results.