HARBOUR CONTROL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 618, 22 September 1909, Page 5

HARBOUR CONTROL.

0 ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF BOARDS, ' * POPUI/iE ELECTION. The fourth, conference of the Harbonr3 Association of Now Zealand was opened yester'day "morning in ■ the Parliamentary Bnildings. Mr. T.,M. Wilford.'M.P., presided. Tho following , delegates from the various harbour , . boards were .present:—Auckland: Hon. E. Mitchelson, Messrs. G. ,W. Basley, W. J. Napier,' J..M. Brigham. Bluff: Messrs. James Ersk, . 'Watson, Geo.'K. George. Foxton: Mr. E. Newman, M.P., Lyttelton: Messrs. Hugo Friedlander, J! A. Frostick, George Laurcnson, M.P., Eichard Moore. Napier: Messrs.* J. Vigor Brown, M.P., A.'E.'Jull, Jno. P. Kenny.. Nelson: Mr. .John Graham," M.P.' Now Plymouth /Messrs. J. B. Connett, E. Maxwell. .Oamaru: Messrs. Eobert , Hilligan, C. A'. La Eochc. Otago: Messrs. G. B. Bullock, E. G. Allen, Wm. Wilkinson, Thos. Boss. Patca: Mr. G. V. Pearce, M;P:' Thames: Hon. i James" M'Gowan, M.L.C. Tiraarn: Messrs. J. Cra'igie, M.P.,-D.,C. Tumbull, W. J. Bardsloy. =Waitara: Messrs. G. H. Stubbs, W. T. Jonnings,, M.P. 'Wang'anni: Hr. J. B. Murray. Wellington: Messrs. T. M. Wilford, M.P., K I'letcher, H. E. Nicholls, P. G. Bolton. Westport: Messrs. Geo. .Griffiths and rimothy Corby. Mr. W. I'erguson, consulting engineer to tho Wellington" Harbonr Board, was also present. N President's Opening Address. In welcoming, the delegates, tho president „ said he hoped T;ho conference would bo ablo to formulate some, suggestions in accordance with resolutions of 'a previous conference, with the object of assisting the Governhient to formulate a harbours policy. He -wished to thank the Government" for' copies of the now Harbours Bill to submit- to the .delegates. The copies , werp marked "private -and .confidential,".,and ,'■.,. .*;. : ne. would; , - at.tho proper 'time, , move that the .■'■:.: % -Bill,\be ; discussed'. , in committee. ;He.; hadi "f'■ .■■ : thonght.that-'a"long and acrimonions 'discussion , • '.'.-. ..i.-.wpuld.taka'Dlac'e,on.the'subject-of/represeata- ;■;■,,.;'":' :i tioh; on .Harbour,' Boards,' but after.rending tho '~>■-.,,./; Bill'-he-.was"of /opinion', that a:.way out would •;..;.: be,fotnd;,Tr/e.executive had. that .morning •M'ffi?-- invited the -Minister , for Marine (Hon. J. A. ;(.' : ._';■' ; Millar). : ;and : •Jin -William Ferguson to attend

■ .'■-.-''■',, the conference:','.. I "'•!' '■■■■■■ '■'• // ■'■;.;.■■'■:■ ■'-. : : ' n <.': V: ITh(i.1 Th(i . Executive . Committee,/. in its report, ;■;-.- .■■■: 'stated'. that ■ the' number of affiliated boards ;• ■• rwasnow 22,0«t.0f a'total of 29 in.New Zea- ••■ . v ■Iffhd: ;The : outgoiiigs daring the year exceeded ~',.:■,--. '■ :the: income 135.;-ild. /'Deducting this ;:,\. ':. ! 6nm'iroin;the r baldnc6;-(dElI2 65.: 7d.) brought ■■;■; "'/-forward .at .■the-.-'beginning-'of.the-term/ there \; :v,-.remained" cashvin 'harid.-at; the ■■'close "to , " the' .-' .. r •i7B-:i25.':7d., , -/against:''whioh out-- ;.- r ,,--'etanding:4iabihti«s,were.\£2.ss.,6d; /.The main '.'■■ '■'■'; ■■■ - ', 1 ?^ Ms i of .'expenditure, during the •year wereJlaw■ .■•■:; ■', ~, ;■■ costs m connection with .the Harbours/Aniend- . ;;: ; .'.ment .Bill , of MBO7, and'the ■ solicitor's 'attend- ■,.,, ;■..;■;■; ■■:• ance' at': the, third conference ■ (j>42) ;) and print; ■■•;'i .-■ .;'..■ passage:of .the Harbours' Act ■:.< (Consolidated .Statutes) had effected- oneof the .. :;■. '.-objects.the'.association'was formed.to promote. ..:.•, There•ffas:still!,; : to be accomplished ..the 'more : : . :: important wort;; of /obtaining; many amende .'■- .■.•.-■',i,ments-. and, additions -.which ■ experience had • :..,. ./.Bhown;to.be;necessnry.>,ln' the-process of c0n- .,,.; an ,error .found .its' way into tie '.;.-,•■• ! -.-;;' : !Bections.Vd«aliiig.-;with./pilotage exemption cer- ■;- ..'...' ;;:::tilicateS.:;,,:A.'shbrt- correcting Bill was-'intro-' : '.- ■'■!"' '■'; ."•^.W^l'^sed.;..-"-A section : was ; also-added /■'■ \> : nulnngj)ilotese:'rate's in every case payable \; ; :i;:'. to .the/Harbour- Board'instead; of to the Col- .; '■ ■;•..-.;...;lector> pf -Customs, as -was done in some , in- "■'■: ■■■:.:■' ■':' stances.'// A/further, section "empowered boards ■•. .■■■•-■ -;tb qqntrol ■ harbours-on , regatta' days. -The ex- ; .;■ ■;.'..y.«flntiTO j ,'endeßT6TOedvtp i ,'.likTe : ;-some of the con- "-.,.-'-'/ /ferenqe's pasferesolutions given - effect;'to, but './;:.:. ;■ were vunsucoessful-.,! There : were very few-mat-' .'V.' ■'. 7■ }ersiremitted by. members in .1902, and,"there-' ■: ■■'• '•'•■ :'ipre,: i the,;exepubve,:deemed it,unnecessary to ... -.-:,-surimpn a■: meeting,;pn'the ground that: there ■; ~r::;;w_as',ijnsufficient; , : b usiness; :• .The rep'prt a'lss ~/...■ suggested.:, certain; -amendments' :' to 'the : local ;; '•■ •-:■.'■ ■;Auftqntie3'.iSup i erannuationrActi. vDuring- the: ■•.'■;■. VP. a jv v ,^Period;a".nnriibei, v of ' legal .opinions and : ■■:.■;.• \-f judgments;:were' circulated; to: members.''. The ~v.: /ißessipn;;pf i,1908'; ; produced'a /number ef Bill? ' -■ : ■■■•:. which,, required the, watchful .attention "of. tho : : ■-,!.- . exeontiTe;. and 'a'considerable. amount of work ,;,.:;j. ■■-;was--'.done -..'a'rid ;. ; time : ' deoupied : in' connectidr/ '.';■'■. '.■;;■ therewith. , ,/ \;:.;.:<'.-.',;r\y^";■_.' :■;.. :■-.■■< the ■;;.'." ; ' president,: t seconded .:• by- :the. Hon. E. , . Mitchel■'■.':.V;;;eonj;and carried.;;// -'j; ; > : ; ;'.'■ ■;':.-/;"■'/./,- -.

■ : . ; ' ; :/-f ;^^.:->':.- : -;PIIjpiTAGE;VEXEMF!f lONiV;/i; .■ A. ;¥^;2 ; ;^ :;. /- i,-:-y. iv^'/.That ; the;associationidesires>"to:bring' uri- ■,/.., /.■/der.'.the; notice:'of , ;the Government "the'a-'' ;// ■ :.: of -the ;Chatham Islands' .-; ' W. as: defined" UKithei : Harbours .'Act "■ and ,: : mendment:Act,l9oß, in'.relation.to pilotage -, .; ,/, i charges,..with , a.yiew. to having the posi- *;''•-■'■/■■' amended :> in ■ ;:the,i; proposed :.Harbours ■'./ ".; '-• •;■ .: Bill, and.:the>Chath'ani..vl'skri'ds.'?included' ,; ■"' : ■:.'■■'• ■'■:- within.the .area. in. wWch-the'benefits of' y/. ; . - / -pilotago esemptipn- now/'obtain. .'/; •'• .-■: ■ . V- ■i' thejsugteskoii ; of the 'president, the' An-/.■/.-trpodes,; Bounty,; and "Auckland -Mands" were ■_~ .r,, added,;and;.the mbtibri^wasfhen.carried/ ■'-■ //-; : ;/ //?Tne'presid^nt';mo7ddf-i!-f;-;J-V:' •''' \■';";'■ "'■■-■ ' '■: - r i 'S ha i r % be added / ■•■.■::-i.''V'- : . ,;, 'r-'^^ l^bo,,r ?'4«t>'ilMß;>fc.:foUow'-'Sectioß:.:--'■^■■■'■.■-'3'- : i';Wsri'h) SnphVcommiseiphers.: shall ben' . .;. /; deemed to be ;a.-.body.. corporate with a per-' / . /, ; Va'".•-common' ; ' '' ; ' ; ■ : '& iyn t?:??? l * l . ;V.to/ap/Aand: suffer all : ,-:- •.-. ;";tnnigs which/bodies-corporate may-do'and' ■;-...... ;,■/suffer,.and; with , v'authontyior any two' of .' '■■-■■ -f'"■" ..commissioners toexercise the functions "■'• '-■■;■■: ■.■•:._,- ,-fop the^corpbrate^body::;; -> : '..'•':..-.-' - .-; - ; ./^,';:^> V! ''(2y;M ; ;varancies;arising;in'tne ; office of' ; ; :i ' : ,/'j.l n 7',? ln Commissioners shall'be - /'i ; :;'^M?i.' a l-: the 7 .arisev-by,--neiv: ! appointments ■ .'■' •■,.■; °y~,',!}. e ' Board conceraed." ::;' ■'•-,..', z> 1 ...-..; • '■ '-■■ '/> i;;-'Jlie!mbver'explaiheavthat '-'a doubt 2 had ; >been' -:.■:,.'. -■:-;wiee4. i ,as..to;.thei -position of,, , .SinkingCf Fund- ■ ~/ , Commissipners-, of ■harbour boards.'. TOder the : -- ■■■vPJwent.jaw-.'it appeared;-th'at these, officers were ~:•■/• Personally :responsible'..:;fbr. -moneys 'illegally ■u ./i:Totediawarby,themi'and'theobjeciof:tho'mo. ; / -™ as / .. ; t™*,?}: the Sinking Fund-; Commissioners-of .;/-:../ r/.This' j waßsecbnded-by;Mr. j.' Brown. MP ■ /; - ; carried. ;:'• -,;/;>;.,■ ; -/-:/;,;--.. /■ ;.;■■-.-! • : :: /• v{.P,ONSTIfUTiON/'-bK'5 HARBOUR /BOARDS] ■ ' '■■• '■'■■■"■tWW-i J-^^ier^AucklandyHiaid^is^ohry' ■ :: } ;\ nv-A .decided.-in-iavpur-of.direct election by the ■ :/. \..;.>pedple.-.;»rh'ey.;-had (no special:interests'- renuir- / they'.did not V,;/; ' this principle , on other -boards. "',;-■; "'in:. theiAnckland -provincial district -there were ■ : /;// ma?y,;smaljyharbours,vand/'these'; could, have /■; ■ .•■: < / -fliew. own ;v forms" ' control; 'The ~ ■;.-; Board would' favour 'the retention of - ;/:;S two-.Government represontntives, and the other ~,. :■-' / members .should be elected.on the local bodies' /•' ./franchise.'- He; nioveo ,^"That?- the .conference ;. :-'■; /:■/recoirimendE.; rftat-v:the;- ? Auckland K. Ksb™ .;/// Bpardehould. consist of. not: more 15 ,-; ■;: ■,v bers, of...whom. bvo'shpu d'be nominated by the : , , ,-;. Governor-in'-Counci ,<and therest electedby the ■ / : ft? -°lH l^? 1 bodies." ;.The mover added '". -~!/; Jhat his. board did not favour the special nml ■ ; ;'/''-/ ;T his^as.-seconded:by/Mr; : (i^ : Baslev' (An'ck' S v/:.;: .-,.:;.-iect,shoud;be;discussed.:at.tliat.stnKe; and on "/.... /what' basis, °S ■. . .the meantime; withdrawn.: -''.'. -. . ■ .;.-.■; ■;/<) :;A : proposaKwasjaiade;thivt,'the eubject be dis- //:;:. ■-<enssed^m -eommUtfcbut/fhe.mover contended -:;/ / : ' tt ?].tte;public;had : a',right;'to.know.what was ,/-/.;.sa.id;on\so;impprfarit a'; question.V' ? ■'■,■, ;'' '/ .;'/;.:;:■ ■^/•'B-'MoorMLyttelton);moved-- "That the ./;-.:-.. /consider, this ■■'dayV six -•;,.;;; -./"Pnths.^. ;„-/;.; -,that should; representatives of ./;z 'the.people/in-Parliament; "''•'■'■' ■" '••• "* ■ • :/■:-/;■- ;;;Mr.;Jj/A.:Frestick (Lytteltoh)-s«orided.this, //,/, : pro; forma^but-i^-foundwiittle/support,' and , ;.. -/.was. defeated; on thevoices l .' ■ •■■•■"-■■ -;: ;>i : \^M^ : i^^ [ HySouth) .nioved' in ; •::/'/ ; ■"s?s : ' n ? ; 'J lß :4iscnssipn.'.'"flrst--in cohk. ,-[f#iNilTlus:Tia';idst,-'and^iie-president ruled that ■ - : a ; general, not/a particular, l 'discussion would :.; :///'be':in:qruer.-.v-. . :,•/;..,';".;,■■/'; ■■ .//■ , . ,///: ,/• :?.M r -' Napier', thenymoved:4- .. ■■■ ... '■/'■ ■ ''".'■ ''.-.■.. - //" ; ' ■v ; i:Tnat;members.;of, harbbrir : boards ; ;should "'i ';;.;.: ,"-.Vbe elected 'by:,tho.'electors''of local bodies,* /;; ~.: :j:/ 'and- that;. : the : Crown.'.'be represcntad by •' / :_■•;; j .-./vinpinlneis' ;;.of .■; the' Govornor-in-Council. .' / '/•-'.■;/ :'= /iTliq. Hpn>'E..,Mitchelson (Auckland);roiter- :. ; p;; fated/the views '.of.-his. board: as'already; ex- --.- . ■':' -pressed/by;-Mr.-,■ Napier.;*./.He -said .thoy ap-, ,-: .'. proved;- of :;tho./parliamentary franchise, . but '//.-.//considered that'it would 1 entail-too. niuch;ex- ■■'::. ■•'•■•.•"■;'Pense' ; on--the-.smaller 'buards...Personally,- ho ;;> -.-•.-would'rlike to./seo-. the. Government nominees' '•: ■;.'- / (done; away-..with altogether..; In 'regard 'to ■ re- ;>',■ '■.-; presentation of -.payers ,of .■'dues,-.-he: 'contended'' ■ / --.that';all ; dues were 'ultimately, paid by the /■;-//; ; r p6ople/;- ; ; ■■/.■ : '-;'>.% ;.:/':;';;':''/■ / /■''.-. ' : : ■'.'■■■',.'.\:'_-{.. 'Representation Nenatived. ■-."'■;.'.'.'. - : ■ Jiilligan (OarnaruJ'riibved'an amendment ■■ .- V.to;.strikd.'out.all the.words after "local.bodies," :■':.-■.•■•o'i-thtß .excluding nomination by Government. He '.-.-".;..;' : / believed, >it was the feeling/,of the peoplo • / ' thi'q'ughput. , the '/Dominion' that the boards /.- ~'should "consist ;of men.who had :',; :/,'. fselyte/to'.the-vote'of.'the ! .people. ..■'/,/ /-,

Mr. A. E. Jull (Napior) in* seconding tho amendment said'.his board had decided in favour of wholly elective • boards.: The .Government hampered the' boards,' and " had practically full control of the general administration of the bqards independently of special representation. County , and borough councils and hospital and charitable'aid boards received* Go-, vernment subsidies, but had no Government nohiinees among their-, members. Harbour boards i were the only.'bodies-whoso works were administered without Government assistance,and yet they must have Government; nominee members.. He-urged that tho conference should express its own views without being deterred by the,notion that*tho"Government would not accept : them. '*" . , * ■'-. /. ■/. ■Mr.. J.;V.Brown (Napier) pointed out that the Government paid rates on Crown and Jiative, lands.: to. the Napier Harbour ..Board, and had also given" it. considerable sums of moneyr The , Government had also contributed largely Jo.'the'.funds of;other boards." : . ■ '-~'■■' " ,; ■-The-president said ho *\vas not.in.favour, of having Cjovernment .nominees-, on-, the boards, and! he would prefer tlie Parliamentary: franchise, wore it practicable, which in the case of .'Wellington investigation had showed it was not/ It would involve a largo expense in coin-. Siting new , rolls, owing to the overlapping of ifctricts. '• ■ :.-.'•■ ■■■■■ . ,--," -.'. .- ..' ■ . '.'. •■ ' Mr.- i Napier .urged.that' it would be advisable .to ask.for what they might reasonably expect •to get, rather than what they thought ideally right.* . : . ... . ■■.: W ■■.'.' ■.•■■" ■: •Mr. E. Moore (Lyttelton) spoko against' the Government having . representatives on. the boards; and asked the conference to resolve in that, direction.. ... . '■.■.'• : ■■■■ ■::;-.- Mr. E. Maxwell and Mr. J. B. Connett (New Plymouth) # said that their board had , passed a resolution, in favour, of.Government representation in ; its own case, owing to special 'circumstances, but on the general principlo both delegates.were against Government representation. ..\Tho amendment;was carried by 17.t0 11. ; .

-/-':'■■ : ' : V'.".- ';':: Payers: of Dues, i/ ; /;'■',' '. i' ;;Mr. j .J.- i E../'Watsqfi(Blnir)-raoTed' a' further' •amendment to give, special rcjiresentatibn to •payers of dues and owners-of ships." The : mover said inpst. of ■; the boards drew the\p;reater part of their: revenue from the shipping interest. ' The amendment was seconded iro forma. ■ ■;.; Tho amendment was • lost on,.viie voices.. -Mr. E.; Jlaxwell '(New/ Plymouth) moved' '■ a further amendment to confine the principle of ele'etioh.of meniliers./by the local body."elec- , - ■tors -to IboardstivhicV.have not rating .powers. • ■::This'/wa.s.'Eeconded"by Mr. Watson (Bluff)' and supported'by Mr, J. B. Connett (New Plymouth). ' -The latter pointed out that the local franchise in the , boroughs iiicluded-non-rate-payers;'while that'in thecounties did not. ■' '■■' /Mr.. A. E. Jull (Napier) said that, as each local'body'.distnct would'elect' its own' member, there: /would' be no'unfair balance 'of : power, between■; toim and country.- : .'':'■■ . The amendment was lost, and : the motion, as previously-amended,, was carried—"That members of harbour boards should be elected by the electors.of looal bodies." • • ■ ':

;: i Division of Districts' ,into Wards.•''■'■'; ,The following New Plymouth remit was'carried:— That harbour boards bo empowered-' \to (imde their districts into wards, arid to adjust the. boundaries from: time; to time:" .; .;■;■, Superannuation of Employeoß.. ' : ■ V The ■ question' of improvements' in the Local Authorities' Superannuation Act, 'which was ? raised by'seycral remits, was then .thrown open for discussion. , ' . ■■ / ; r . '. ■' ; ,- f The president said that the guarantee of a ; fund, in 'which-several local bodies co-operate' should be .a, joint 'guarantee—not "joint and several, ..as.'prescribed-.in the Local Authorities Superannuation 'Act. -,'■•■ -'•■ ■"•- .• A j motion 'to "this; effect was carried;' , '.Mr. J V. Brown, ,M.P.'(Napier), moved.in' favour of the deletion of Section 32 of the Act, ■ which provides v that • moneys' paid under tlie' Workers' Compensation Act shall be deducted" from. superannuation allowances. , .-■■•:■ - :"This- was ""carried. ■' ; -•'•"■■ '■.'■ \v : . '•'■■<■ ■-'■' .'An. amendment to Section 10 was also ap-Lproved.:--.,This.'section,-as.it stands in'thb Act, empowers, a board, after it has established a fund; tp supplement any ■ pension payable to'•jm' employee in respect to service subsequent to 1 establishment by an additional annual sum m..respect,.tovservice' ; reridered prior to the coming into operation of the. Act (i.e.; prior to. October 10, 1908):. This ■ additional sum is. to be .paid:, out. of ;the-harbour fund, not out of the superannuation fund. , The section.did not effect' what was' desired, -as: until "a fund has been established the section is not operative* The conference, .therefore, resolved to ask that the additional sum. may have respect to service' rendered ,;pnor to the establishment of-the fund. ■ ■-'.:. ■: ■■■ ' ■'■:■.-■' ', ■." ■ ■ .-■ : ■-.- - ;■-Section ;2p. of the;Act>ovides that 'a con,tnbutor,;who_is.ill and.out,of work for three months together, snail drop out-of-the fund. Xhe conference resolvedin favour, of substitute mg ;■ twelve' niOTths." ..'.. .:; ;■ .4 further .amendment resolved upon was as fpl[ows:-'/That -a proviso be" added to ,Sectinn.26 providing that the-retiring allowance shall bo assessed on the basis.of the contributor s .-ttoreo' 'years;; of maximum, salary.? -~■■. ■■■■■■.^■■":- : yHplidays;V; v : . ; : -- ;.'..: '''' ■;' The Hon.:B. Mitchelson : .(Anoklanu) moved•.'...That in p :view'of'the present -unsatisfactory, position^; regard to -' work r in', con-;. nection. with the'shipping consequent upon ■ - the majority:of the merchants' -observW ■ -Empire', Day, :.May 21,-as a' holidnv.Tand' :his. J[a]esty,s.Customs observing-Princa of ' ; . A\ales's Birthday,-June 3; as' a holidav .- kgislatipn bo sought with a' view to' Em- ■ piro Day, Jlay- 2-S,, bb'ingdeclared a statu--" :•'tory holiday^n/lieu'of-June 3. . -. ; ■ . This was-carried..- -, ; : '•'-, ''■'■. A /.v'-'-i /..'':.; ;'._; 'Night Signalling. . ■ ' ' '■ The.' Executive Committee .recommended the conference; to urge .on the Government the desirableness of; establishing stations on the .coasts jOf New; Zealand,' equipped for tho purpose oloxclmnging. Communicntfons -at night with, vessels.;by means pi the Hlorso codo ■' .•.The president,'in moving in accordance with tho aboyoi said the matter was one of rreat importance.' If -a .wireless -. telegraphy' station were established: anyw.hero in 'Now Zealand it' ;vould cost onlyXlOO'to place.an apparatus for communication with ..if on any. vessel. Anything the conference could do in the direction of "imposing tho means of communication between vessels ami the shoro, whether b/ Morse' signalling or by; wireless telegraphy,' sliould be done. • ■■• i Mr. W.- J. 'Napier (Auckland) moved in favour of giving.-.■nnrbouT boards the power to establish,aud.mtiintaiu ferry services within the harbbur'limits. -:■■': ■:.■ r,;. . Tho niptiqn was carried,, and the conference then went-)into; coininittce. ...,,.. '. i -The Conference'-sat'.in committed until ■ 0 p.m., and will .resume: this-morning, at 9.30. A disciissioii 'on the Arliilration Act'ami ,its relation- to harbour boards is reported ■undei' another'.headins.' :■;.'■;■.... ' -.'"..'.'.'.