HARBOR BOARD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2034, 20 March 1907, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD

PORT CHARGES AND TAXATION. The Gisborne Harbor Board met yesterday afternoon to consider the revision of tlio scale of port charges and the incidence of taxation. Present: Messrs. Townley (Chairman), Harding, Lysnar, AA’hinray, and Hepburn.

Mr. Lysnar said that since the question hud been last considered ho and otiior members had mot and endeavored to come to a settlement of disputed points. They had decided that the harbor improvement rate was a fair cliargo against the shipping; but the shipping companies objected to the charge, and they wore willing to forego this in order to have the charges acceptable to everybody. It was originally suggested that the charge for mutton should bo reduced from G/dd to 2/6d, hut it was now proposed to make the charge 4/. In this charge they were still much above anything else in the colony; the charge at Napier ivas 1/. In

general cargo it was suggested that the charge ho 2/C for various articles of general necessity and 3/- for other general cargo. Tlio charge for coal was'proposed to ho 1/. For beef and other meat products tlio charge was 1 1 remain as at present. It was proposed to lower the wool cliargo to 3d, it being hoped thereby to get moro wool trade through tlio port. Bolero, tlio charge was the saino as at Auckland. It only meant a loss of revenue of about £125. AA'lien those adjustments were made, not allowing for increase of trade, the loss of revenue would he about £SOO. The main change is on shifting on to the shipping companies charges totalling £3069. Ho moved that the tariff as suggested by the committee be approved with tlio following amendments : The harbor improvement rate to ho struck out; that the,wharfage for coastal wool he reduced to 3d per bale, and that wool landed hero for dumping ho charged as local wool; that mutton and lamb bo charged 4/per ton on weight; that sugar, wire, staples, oats, kerosene, beef, tallow, and other meat products, potatoes, and flour at 2/6; coal and bran at 1/; all other cargo 3/. After a short discussion 011 a few matters, Mr. Lysnar’s motion was carried.