GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2160, 16 August 1907, Page 1

GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD

ANNUAL STATUTORY MELTING. The annual statutory meeting ol the Gisborne Harbor Hoard was held yesterday afternoon. There wore present:—Messrs. J. Townley (Chairman), J. AVhinray, W. Sievwright, \V. D. Lysnar, W. Matthewson, E. Harris, J. Clark and the Hon. Capt. Tucker. BALANCE-SHEET. The annual balanco-sheet was adopted. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. Tho Chairman read his annual report as follows: Gentlemou, —I havo tho honor ol laying before you the annual statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ended 31st December, 190 G, which has been duly audited and certified, to by the Auditor-General. “The total receipts from all sources amounted to £25,957 3s 9d. “Tho total expenditure (including a debit balance of £940 18s lOd with which tho year started) amounted to the sum of £21,743 13s 9d, leaving a credit balance on tho 31st December, 1906, of £4213 10s. “In consequence of an exception taken last year by tho Auditor-Gene-ral, that the Board having no loan funds in hand, had no right to keep a “Special Fund Account Harbor AVoi'ks Loan” against which to charge all amounts paid'for ‘harbor improvements,’ members will notice that this account has been deleted from the present balance-sheet', and in accordance with a resolution of the Board, tho treasurer has transferred a sum of £30,931 3s 8d from the ‘General Account’ to extinguish the debit balance of this account.

“In order to clearly show anyone tho amount annually paid for ‘river improvements’ as distinguished from ordinary expenditure, all payments are shown under this heading, but as they are made out of ordinary revenue now, instead of as formerly out of loan funds released, they are incorporated in, and form part of, the general account.

“During the year the John Townley has been kept steadily at work, and the spoil has been taken out to sea, consisting of 42,350 yards of rock, mud and sand, with the result that a large portion of cargo is now landed at the wharf without paying lighterage.—See Return No. 7.* “In consequence of the great" accu-

mulation of ‘scale’ in the boilers of the John Townley, through the use of spring or salt water, under the advice and through the agency of Mr. F. W. Blakey, of Auckland, a 7-ton Davie evaporator and filter has been fitted into the dredge, which has given complete satisfaction, not only preventing the ‘scale’ complained of, but also effecting a great saving of time in filling the boilers. “The small dredge has, from February to December, lifted 9195 yards of rock and mud, which has been used for reclamation purposes between the viaduct and the Beach road.

“At a. special meeting hold' on the 10th July, 1906, a very largo deputation of between 50 and 60 gentlemen representing shipping, pastoral, and commercial interests in Poverty Bay waited on the Board, and in consequence of their representations the Board passed a resolution that Mr. F. W. Marchant, of Timaru, M. Inst. C.E., be requested to report on what, in his opinion, would bo the best outside harbor, with plans, specifications, and'estimates oncost. “An arrangement having been made with Mr. Marchant, that gentleman camo hero in September and immediately commenced the investigation and surveys necessary for tho purpose of selecting a site for an outer harbor, and a meeting of tho Board

on 29th October Inst, lie attended and read an interim report ‘that examination of the bay showed flint thero wqs but one site, at which a well sheltered at a moderate cost, could be constructed, capable of serving tho largo class of shipping desired,’ and thereupon the Board instructed him to go on with liis soundings, plans, etc., at the site indicated ‘by him.

“On the 26th November last Mr. Merchant reported to the Board that ho had obtained all necessary details and information" that- could he obtained here, and he hoped to be able to forward his full report, plans, and estimates from Timaru by March, 1907.

“In the event of the Board adopting Mr. Merchant's plans for an outer harbor, it will be necessary to make an application to Parliament to pass an Empowering Bill. “Full details showing the present and past financial dealings of the Board will be required to be placed before the House and ratepayers, in addition to the statements appanded to last year’s balance-sheet, which have been brought up to date.

“Further detailed statements are annexed hereto, giving the fullest information possible, as under:— “(1) Statement of ‘Special Fund Account Harbor Works Loan’ from 1900 to 1906. which shows the balance debit, 1905, has been extinguished. “(2) Summary of accounts of Loan Funds in the hands of the Public Trustee from 1897 to 1906, when the unexpended balance of Loan Fund Redemption Account, Reserve Fund, and Sinking Funds in the hands of the Public Trustee as on the 31st December, 1906, amounted to the sum of £113,427 9s lid. “(3) Statement showing annual receipts from all sources and expenditure from 1885 to 1906. (3a) Details of receipts and wharfages, port charges, rates, and sundries under the head of ‘General Account,’ and rates in preceding statement. “(4) Roturn of number and tonnage of vessels entered from 1884 to 1906,

the total for last year" being 581 vessels of 620,158 tons. This shows the increase in the number of vessels last year of the' previous year was 01, with an increased tonnage of 82,939. “(5) Statement of total tonnago of

imports and exports from 1902 to (1906, shows 1902: Imports 24,913 tons, exports 22,345 tons; 1006: Import's 18,709 tons, exports 26,813 tons. . . “(6) Statement showing the nuniber of-sheep in Counties of Cook'and'Wainpu from 1879 to 1907. In 1879 the total-of the district (Cook and Waiapu) was 227,402; in 1894, Cook County 675,024, Waiapu 192,601, total 867,625. In 1907 (as atMarch 31st), the totals were: Cook 1,228,60!), Waiapu 480,672, total, 11.709,361.

I “(7) Return "showing amount of cargo lightered inward and outward for tho year ending 30th April, 1907, amounting to 39,618 tons, and without paying lighterage for -the same period 35,567 tons.” The report was adopted. INCREASES OF SALARIES. Tho Finance Committee reported on the question of salaries, and recommended that increases of £25 be granted to tho Secretary, the Harbormaster and Mr. Barton and that an increase of £SO bo granted to Miss Witty. The committee also recommended that uniforms bo supplied for the Harbormaster and Mr. Johnston. —The report was adopted. HARBOR DUES. The Union S.S. wrote regarding port charges. It was stated that under the old rates the company paid about £6OB per annum, while under the new tariff £2724 would havo to be paid. An alternative rate was suggested under which £1824 would be paid.—Mr. Lysnar said the matter needed very careful consideration. A great deal of the increase was duo to larger boats calling at the port. The '.Vaikaro had replaced the Tarawera. and in the year the difference in tonnage made an increase in charges o' £136. The Huddart. Parker Co. and the ocean liners were not affected. He would give notice to move that the by-laws be altered, allowing that harbormaster’s fees shall not exceed sixpence in any six months. POLICE ON THE WHARVES. Authority was given to Sergeant Williams to carry out his duties on the wharf. REPRESENTATION. Captain Tucker mentioned the Harbors Act now before Parliament. The Act allowed for further representa-

tion for country districts, and he (the speaker) thought tho number of members of the Board should be increased to twelve, two seats being given to Cook County and one to Waiapu County. The value of Cook County was four times that of the Borough and it returned twice as much in rates. —The Mayor said that for 1905 the rates returned were: Borough £2053 ; Cook County, £5120; Tolaga and Waiapu, £ll62.—Mr. Lysnar thought Waiapu should not he considered at all. They had been mot quite fairly enough in tho past. Waiapu should have no separate representation. Cook County should have two of the new seats and the other seat should be given to the Borough.—Captain

Tucker said that if such were done he would ask for another member for ‘the County.—Air. Lysnar objected to members being nominated by the Government. Ho suggested that the

members be as follows:—Government 2, Borough 4. County 6.—Mr. I-lai'ris said lie thought the Borough residents paid more in dues than they should.— Mr. Sievwright said he could not see why the County and the Borough should be differentiated between. He would support distinct representation if a rate were levied.—The Mayor said he would like to see all members elected.—Mr. Lysnar proposed that the Government ho as'ked to increase the number of inembers of the Board to twelve—two nominated by the Government, six elected by tho Comity Council and four by the Borough.— Captain Tucker said ho- would not adopt this in place of liis motion—he could not agree to tho County having loss than twice tho representation of tho Borough.—Mr. Matthewson moved as an amendment that no representation could be agreed to unless the Borough had equal representation with, the country districts. Mr. Harris said ho would oppose Mr. Lysnar’s motion.—Mr. Lysnar suggested that his motion bo altered to seven members for tho County and five for the Borough with no Government nominees.—Captain Tucker said it was absolutely necessary to have Government nominees.—Mr. Clark said that

ho and Mr. Lysnar were practically the only members representing the County.—Mr. Lysnar objected to the great distinction between town and country.—Mr. Lysnar’s motion (six County, four Borough, two Government) was lost on the voices.—Mr. Lysnar asked that it be put on record that the Board is opposed to any special representation of Waiapu.—Captain Tucker said that such would never he asked for, and the matter was dropped.—The Mayor moved that the Board make a request to be included in any new Harbors Bill. Im-~ provements were to he made and the Board should he brought up-to-date. —Mr. Whinray objected to the coun•try getting more rejiresentation because it paid more aggregate rates while the Borough was rated twice as heavily. He would move that the County have five members, the Borough five, and the Government two. —Captain Tucker said all lie was fighting for was justice. The County wanted representation commensurate until the taxation contributed.-—The

motion for equal representation for the Borough and County with two Government nominees was carried. Messrs. Lysnar, Clark and Captain Tucker voting against it.