CLOSING OF PORT MOLYNEUX.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 138, 2 March 1877, Page 6

CLOSING OF PORT MOLYNEUX.

> (Dcilly Times;} A deputation, consisting of Sir J. Pdch••ardson, Messrs D. Henderson, H. M'Neil, John MTuean, Mmmo, and others, waited upon the "Hon. Gr. M'Lean on Monday, in reference to the removal of the Signal Master and the closing of Port Molyneux. Sir J. Richardson said he thought the object of the depntation wonld be well explained by reading three memorials which were placed in his hands. The first was from residents at Port Molyneux and the neighbourhood, and others interested in the shipping trade of the Port. They set forth that they had heard, with much concern, of the intention of the Government to remove Mr Burn from the situation of Signal Master at Port Molyneux, and thereupon to declare the Port closed. The memorialists considered that the residents of Port Molyneux, and of the extensive settled district around it, would receive a severe blow if such a course were taken, as both producers and j consumers would be subjected to much additional inconvenience as well as expense. The carriage of goods alone would ibe increased at least threefold if the mea- - sure contemplated was carried out. They'

further represent that, in their opinion, the apparent necessity for such a step had lately been rapidly disappearing. The trade which for some time after the opening of the Clutha railway was d verted from Port Molyneux in other directions, had recently and increasingly been returning into its former channel, and it was the belief of all, that if the facilities now existing were but continued, a very short time would suffice to restore to Port Molyneux the full proportion of the shipping trade it formerly possessed. They, therefore, expressed a hope that the intention of the Government might be reconsidered and altered. The two other memorials, which were to the same effect, were numerously signed by Dunedin merchants and others intestod in the shipping trade of Port Molyneux, and by residents of Balclutha. Sir John Richardson went on to say that, in addition to those present, there were a large number of gentlemen interested in this matter, but apparently they had either mistaken the hour, or were unable to come. He had been connected with the Molyncux district for 17 or 18 years, and when he first know it it was very sparsely populated indeed. Since then it had grown to its present dimensions, and a large number of people had settled there in the belief that as population increased none of the existing advantages would be taken away from them. Therefore it was with very great regret that they had heard of the determination of the Government to close the Port by withdrawing the signal-master, and they earnestly hoped for a reconsideration of the case. Mr M'Lean might say he did ndt take the step referred to without a very great deal of consideration and enquiry. It was found that during three months hardly a vessel had entered the port. He knew of his own knowledge that the trade had entirely fallen off there. As far as Mr Burn was concerned, he was one of the oldest pilots, and when dispensing with his services he (Mr M'Lean) had recommended him to the Otago Harbour Board as a very efficient officer. Of course, if the trade increased again at Port Molyneux, it would be a fair matter for reconsideration. Sir John Richardson said it would be seen at once that by removing the signalmaster the Government were taking a retrograde step. Were there not ports in the North Island and elsewhere which would not show so much trade during the year as Port Molyneux 1 He really did not see why other ports should have Harbour Boards and all possible facilities given to them ; while Port Molyneux, which was the entrance to the largest river in New Zealand, was excluded from participation in any of those benefits. Mr M'Lean said there was not the least intention to exclude Port Molyneux from those benefits. If they chose to have a Harbour Board, they could have one, and might levy rates, and work the harbour as they pleased. It was quite open to them to have the same advantages as other places, but surely they did not expect the Government to keep the Port open when a vessel did not enter for three months. Mr M'Neil said the question was whether the three months referred to was long enough to judge of the trade of the Port. Perhaps the period was exceptional, and people just then might not have been ■ shipping or sending goods. j Mr M'Lean said, if the trade for the j preceding twelve months were enquired into, it would be found that very few vessels had entered. Mr John M'Lean there was a very large quantity of grain and other produce raised in the district which could not be sent to town except by the Port. It would cost more than the value of the produce to send it to town by rail from many portions of the district, whereas it might be sent by way of the Port at very little cost. Mr M'Lean said he did not know what they could have been doing with their grain during the time the port was open. Mr M'Neil suggested that perhaps they were holding it for a price. Sir John Richardson said he remembered a man named Cattleson on the other side of the river, who held his grain for two years, and the rats about there got very fat. After some further discussion, Mr M'Lean said he would make fresh inquiries, and if it was proved that the trade was increasing, the matter would be reconsidered. It was a very disagreeable thing for him to have to dismiss a man, and nobody would be better pleased than himself if the trade at Port Molyneux revived. Sir John Richardson : Can you give us twelve months, and keep the Port open for that time ? Mr M'Lean replied that the matter was settled, and the Port was closed. Before he could agree that the signal master should be reinstated, he would have to make inquiries in order to see if anything had transpired to justify the Government in reversing their decision. The deputation might get up some information about the trade for some time past, and the amount of grain grown in the district which cannot be profitably conveyed by the railway. Sir John Richardson said it seemed very hard that .just at the time when a new policy was being carried out, from which they were led to expect greater tilings, the people of this district should be deprived of all advantages. Mr M'Lean said that it should be remembered that the people were now afforded facilities by means of railway communication, such as they never enjoyed before. This step would have doubtless been taken under any circumstances, and he remembered that Mr Henderson had to fight hard in the Provincial Council in order to keep up the signalmaster's establishment at Port Molyneux. The deputation then withdrew.