OUTER HARBOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2053, 13 April 1907, Page 2

OUTER HARBOR.

important developments

Tim Outer Harbor Committee met at the rooms of the rooms of the Farmers’ Union Club yesterday morning, Mr. W. L. Roes presiding. THE MAYOR’S ATTITUDE. Mr. Roes reported that lie bar waited on the Mayor and bad asked for a decided answer one way or the other about the outer harbor. Mr. Townlev said that the mattci I,lf boon referred by Mr. Rees to the different local bodies, and ho did not fool inclined to make any decided statement until those bodies, of two of which he was chairman, had given their decisions about the matter. He could not so beyond that. He was of opinion the river works should be kept up. Matters should go on as at present until there was a decided expression of public opinion. A public meeting would not be sufficient —an expression from the people who would have to pay for it would be necessary. At present ho con <1 go no further than the written reply given some time ago. ” Mr. Harding asked what Mr. Rees thought Mr. Townloy’s attitude to

bo. Mr. Rees said that Mr. Townley, while in favor of the outer harbor, wished the inner harbor kept going to deal with the increased traffic and to give accommodation until the outer harbor was finished. Air. Webb asked if the Harbor Board would continue spending money on the river harbor for a number of years. Sir. Rees said ho could not say. He knew some thousands were to lie spent on it this year. Mr Webb : I suppose they will continue to potter away. MR. REES’ SCHEME ALTERED. Air. Rees'said lie wished to make a statement regarding the scheme lie had placed, before the local bodies. He had some time ago drawn up a memorandum addressed to the Harbor Board, Borough Council, and County Council in which he mentioned several works, among which was the making of a harbor. At the time it was stated that the Harbor Board had no intention of engaging an engneer and building a harbor. He now found that bis scheme was liable to keep back the building of an outer harbor. He proposed to support the outer harbor movement in every way, but to modify the scheme submitted by eliminating the harbor work. Ho was anxious that the outer harbor should be built as soon as possible, and bo was more than ever convinced that the enabling bill should bo introduced this session. He know that people who were opposed to the harbor were using his connection with the local bodies scheme to the detriment of the harbor. He wished the proposals of Air. Marchant to be carried to completion standing on their bottom. «As bo had done 25 years ago, he would take all steps to assist in the building of an outer harbor. Po verty Bay was an object of derision to outsiders on the matter of a harbor.

EXPEDITION URGED. Air. Alatthews said every effort should be made to place the matter in such a position that the rate-' payers could say yea or nay. Everywhere they looked they found people. willing to spend mllions in doubtful speculations. Hero they bad a work which he and many others thought would at once he a success and pay well. He felt sure the harbor would do all Air. Alarchant claimed for it. At present it took £3OOO and the cost of administration each year to keep the river open. Now was the time to get tile enabling bill drafted, and to take all preliminary steps to get it passed. He moved that a vote of thanks be passed to Air. Rees for the trouble lulled taken in the matter. Mr AV. L. Clayton seconded the

motion. Ho thought the whole community should feel grateful to Mr. Rees for what he had done. He was not quite sure that Mr. Townley should not ho taken as opposed to the outer harhor in any shape or form. Mr. Townley wished to keep the inner harbor going until the outer harbor was finished, but did ho want to keep it going afterwards. It would he a deplorable position to spend on the inner harbor more money than was absolutely necessary to keep it open until the outer harbor was finished. Too much was at present being spont on the river. It had to bo .taken into account, however, that the public positions held by Mr. Townley justified him in being very cautious about expressing an opinion. The Outer Harbor Committee should not be allowed to lapse. It seemed impossible to run a candidate against Mr. Townley for the Mayoralty, but that, in his opin-ion,-was not necessary. Mr. Rees, in reply, said lie wished it well known that money had been raised for an outer harbor, and spoilt on river works. The committee could not expect much from people who in past yours had diverted money voted for an outer harbor to river works.

Mr. Clayton: They may now see the error of their ways. PROMPT ACTION DECIDED ON.

Mr. Harding thought that the committee had lost time. Mr. Townley had a very difficult position as Mayor and chairman of the Harbor Board, and it was hardly fair to exjieet him to givo an opinion. To his mind they should proceed at once with the first steps to ensure the passing of the enabling' hill. What would the drafting of the bill cost ? Mr. Rees said it would cost 12 guineas. The Harhor Board would have to authorise it. Mr. Harding: Suppose the Harhor Board refused to go on with the hill? Mr. Rees: The community -would have to do it. Mr. Harding asked if it would not be better to appeal at once to the ratepayers. Ho was willing to pay his share of any expense incurred. They should not bother Mr. Townley further, and they should not run a man against him for the Mayoralty. Tie would suggest that a strong committee should he formed to wait on the Harbor Board. If the Harbor Board then refused to take up the matter they should proceed privateIv.

Mr. Rees said he agreed with Mr. Harding. The only way to got together such a committee was to have it appointed by a public meeting. A deputation from a self-constituted body such as that committee would carry no weight. Air. Clayton moved that the chairman take steps to call a public meeting to appoint a committee to wait on the Harhor Board.

Air. Harding said the meeting should he held before the next meeting of the Harbor Board. Air. Matthews seconded the motion, which was carried, tile meeting being fixed for Friday next at S o’clock in the Choral Hall. PERMANENT LEAGUE FORMED Ou the motion of Air. Matthews, it was decided that the Outer Harbor Committee should ho formed into a permanent Outer Harbor .League, with jiower to add to their number, membership being open to any ratepayer.