The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 27, 1901. HARBOR EXPENDITURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 143, 27 June 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JUNE 27, 1901. HARBOR EXPENDITURE.

At-the meeting of tho Harbor Board this afternoon the following motion is to be moved by Capt. Tucker : “ That in the opinion of this Board a harbor such as contemplated in the Gisborne Harbor Act, 1884, cannot be made inside the river. The Board therefore must take into consideration how to procure the construction of a harbor outside the river suitable for vessels of over 12 feet draught.” We do not know what object Capt. Tucker has in-.view in bringing this matter before the Board, except it be that he is of opinion that the Board should seriously consider the question of an outside harbor. Such being the case, we consider the present a most inopportune time to raise the question. The Board has committed itself to a definate scheme, involving a considerable expenditure, dealing with the shipping facilities of the port. This scheme has been adopted after long consideration on the best of advice, and Parliament has given its sanction to the expenditure. It is no use members blowing hot and cold in this matter. Pendiug the result of the present work which the Harbor Board is committed to, we anticipate that neither the public nor Parliament will look with favor upon the entering into of any work. Wo would even go further and urge upon the Board the necessity of living most carefully within its income. Sufficient money has been released to extend tho groyne past the end of the breakwater, to complete the wharf to tho bridge, and also to procure a dredge, although the latter seems to be a long time in reaching here. Until the dredge arrives, and the result of dredging and the proposed extension of the groyne is known, it is idle for members to consider any new scheme. Some people, some members of the Board included, seem to consider that the best interests of the district will be served by spending the money whatever theresultmay.be. We take it that members of the Harbor Board have a much higher duty to fulfil, and that is to judiciously guard the money until it can be advantageously expended. The expenditure of the balance of the loan would mean that the Board would have to pay in interest and sinking fund between £IO,OOO and £12,000 per year, whilst the total charges for lighterage at the port do not at the present time amount to one-third of that sum. We are sanguine as to the future of Gisborne and the development of its resources, but with all our sanguineness yye cannot see our way to support such a proposition, as we do not think the district could bear the burden. Without assuming to possess expert knowledge on the subject, we feel very safe in expressing the opinion that not £90,000, nor twice £90,000, would build the work which is necessary for an outer harbor. As one of the conditions incident to the development of the district, one circumstance must not be lost sight of, every part that can be made available as a port for shipping will push forward its claims, and no doubt be utilised to the full extent in competition with Gisborne. No one will contend for a moment that Gisborne has any prescriptive right, even from the Maiua to the East Cape, and we feel sure that as the railway edyances have a claim and seek to exercise it. Ohiwa, in the Bay of Plenty, will also We earnestly press upon the Board the

absolute necessity of staving its band in the direction indicated by Captain Tucker’s motion, at least until it is shown, that the present expenditure is ineffeotual.