A GAME OF BLUFF.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 981, 29 August 1903, Page 2

A GAME OF BLUFF.

AN INDIGNANT HARBOR BOARD

(Per Press Association.) Invercargill, last night. The Bluff Harbor Board today considered correspondence from the Marina Department re the reclamation works. The Board got power by Act last year to enclose fourteen acres, bub tho Government Engineer now reported that he had visited the port, and from observations, was of opinion that to reclaim that area would prejudicially affect the scour by lessening the quantity of water. Therefore only a portion of the reclamation could be sanctioned. Members ridiculed the theory that taking fourteen acres of shoal water away could affect an area of 1400 acres. Tho portion that the Department would sanction was all required by the Bailway Department, which is to pay the Harbor Board tho cost of that work. The Board, however, desire to have the full area, so that they will have a pieco for themselveß. Exception was taken to the addition of a tag to the Act in session without the knowledge of the Board, namely, giving the Government in Council power to reduce area by notice in the Gazette. The chairman pointed out that the plans were a reauoed form of Sir John Coode’s, which had not been cavilled at, and which Sir J. G. Ward always upheld. No one had seen the marine engineer at the port, and he had 'not intimated his presence or purpose to the Board. The chairman suggested going on with tho work, despite the Department. Mr Baymond moved that tho chairman go to Wellington and lay the true state of matters before tho Department. He said that ho had not said all ho could or would say on the subject at this stage, but if the motion were not carried he would move in different terms at next meeting. The motion was carried by sto i 3, the dissientients being J. W. Mitchell, I T. Greon and T. Gilroy, the latter being

the Government nominee. The chairman said ho felt so strongly that he was disposed to resign and lay the matter before his constituents. The addition of the tag was animadverted on, as it might be used to debar the Board getting benefits from work of which it took all the risk. Opinion is current that the property-holders of Oampbelltowu do not look with favor on the possibility of the main streot being converted into a Lambton Quay by reclamation.