OUTER HARBOR BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2184, 13 September 1907, Page 2

OUTER HARBOR BILL.

ITS PAUoAGE THIS SESSION

URGED,

PETITION TO BE SENT TO PAR LIAAIENT.

A ALODEKATE ATTENDANCE AND SYMPATHETIC AUDIENCE.

A public mooting, convonod at tho request of tho Outer Harbor Comluicteo, was held in tho Theatre last ovoning to consider tho position ot tho Harbor Enabling Bill, and take stops to urge tho necessity of passing tho measure this session. At the appointed hour thero was only a sparse attendance, but with late arrivals tho audioncq ultimately assumed fair dimensions. The Alayor (Air. J. Townley) presided, and there were also on tho platform, Mossrß W. L. Rees, A. F. Matthews, and \V. LisBant Clayton. Tho Mayor explained that the object of tho mooting was to consider tho position of the Bill, with a view to making another start in harbor iinjirovomont, tho river harbor not having proved adequate. Tho now schomo was to construct a deep water harbor fronting tho Kaiti beach, about a mile from tho present breakwater.

SPEECH BY MR. REES. Mr. W. L. Roes commenced by stating that thoso interested in the Bill recognised THE PRESENT POSITION . as being unsatisfactory, there being a likolihood of tho Bill being hung up this session unless steps were taken to galvanize the Houso into activity. Ho pointed out that the Bill had been approved by tho Harbor Board, and then referred to tho Local Bills Cominittpo which silent threo days in taking evidence. Tho report made by that Committee to the Houso was in a certain sense adverso to tho Bill. Tho Chairman of the Committee, commenting on the Hon. Air. Carroll’s resolution referring the Bill back to the Committee for reconsideration, said that various reasons had induced the. Committee to recommend that tho Bill stand over for a year, tho whole stops to ho taken afresh. Ono of the reasons given was that the Bill was in such a faulty condition that the Committee had to re-modol the measure, in order to fulfil tho purposes intended. But he (tho speaker) was informed that tho Committee

AIADE NO ALTERATIONS; cortain amendments were made by Air. H. D. Bell, ICC. (retained on behalf of tho Harbor Board as counsel), with the object of making it work more smoothly. These amendments were agreed to, to a certain extent, by tho Committee, and embodied in tho Bill submitted to that body. Reviewing the case Air. Rees said ho wished to place the facts fairly-be-fore the public and to ask their advice and assistance in carrying out \yhat was undoubtedly the feeling of the groat majority of the people, in this district. For a considerable time an agitation had proceeded for an outer harbor. Old residents would remember that the Harbor Board’s Bill passed in 1884, provided for an outer harbor, a harbor for oceangoing ships of large draught.

THE RIVER HARBOR INADEQUATE. The Harbor Board believed that tho money might be expended in the best interests of the people by building a breakwater at tho mouth of the river and bringing commerce nearer to the centre of the town. The Board acted on that assumption, and although for a long period the outer harbor agitation ceased, it was raised during tho last few year's, for innumerable reasons. The detention of steamers, vessels passing the port, inconvenience of passengers having to wait hours for boarding and disembarking vessels —in general the discomfort

INCONVENIENCE AND LOSS occasioned through the lack of a proper harbor—led to the revival of tho agitation. Ho bolieved that at last tlio majority of people had become determined that' they would lose no time, but would make every effort to secure the construction of an outer harbor providing accommodation suitable for the largest vessels. With this feeling a largo deputation attended tho Harbor Board meeting on July 10, 1906, when a scheme of semi-protective work within the river was to be considei'ed. The deputation, which comprised 50 or 60 of the most prominent citizens, urged the necessity for an outer harbor, instead of increasing expenditure on tho river; and this brought matters to a head. An Outer Harbor Committee was then formed, tho members of which determined to continue their efforts until their proposal was an accomplished fact. Tho Harbor Board, yielding to public opinion, decided to have A BILL DRAFTED

for submission to Parliament. AVliilo discussion was still proceeding three or four Board elections took plan and tho results showed jilainly that tho people were bent on tho larger scheme. Plans for an outer harbor were most carefully prepared by Air. AVarchant, the schomo to cost something .undor £350,000. The Harbor Enabling Bill was drafted on the assumption that in 1915 thero would still bo a liability of £50,000 oil the old loan to liquidate, consequently tho full amount proposed to be raised was £400,000. lAIAIEDIATE ACTION NECESSARY

Reverting to tlio attitude of the Local Bills Committee, to winch the Bill had been referred hack, Air. ltees urged that' it was absolutely necessary R tho Bill was to be brought up again this session, that there should be an expression of public opinion. Also strong representations should bo made, not only to the district’s representatives, but to the Houso generally, pointing out that this district asked. NOTHING FROAI THE PUBLIC PURSE

or from Parliament, but merely the right by the passing of the Bill to express its own voice as to whether it would build its own harbor at its own expense. (Applause.) This could not.be done without Parliament sanctioned the Bill. The passage of tho Bill did NOT PLEDGE THE PEOPLE to spend one penny unless they decided to go on with the schemo. It must bo submitted to a poll of the whole of the ratepayers of the Harbor district, in concrete form, for their verdict, “Yes” or “No.” The public were now called upon to decide whether they would support tho efforts of those working for the outer harbor, and to ask Parliament to puss the Bill during the present session. (Applause.) Tile speaker contended that the necessity for an outer harbor at Gisbomo was patent.

TRADE AND REVENUE INCREASING. Our commerce was increasing by leaps and hounds. Tho revenue derived from the harbor was increasing ilmost beyond belief year by year. Had tho Harbor Board struck the usual rate this year, tho balance to its credit at tho end of tho 12 months would have been over £II,OOO, after providing for all current liabilities. Tho financial position was so satisfactory that the Harbor Board was able to meet .all current expenses, and provide £2OOO towards tho sinking fund of the' old loan out of revenue, without striking any rate for the year. (Applause.) The commerce of the pout, revenue of the Board, and trade of the district were all increasing. it was no exaggeration to say. by leaps anti bounds. Giving all credit to the opinions of those who conscientiously opposed tho outer harbor or wished its construction delayed till some future time, he argued that tho all-round increases showed plainly that the present harbor accommodation was not such as we ought to have for the vast commerce that was coming to ou» shores. In the interests of the general. prosperity of the district, he considered the time had arrived when the OUTER HARBOR WAS AN IMPERATIVE NECESSITY.

(Applause.) He referred, further, to tho loss, discomfort, inconvenienco, and oftentimes danger under the present order of things, and said Gis-

1 borno suffered under a great drawback iu not having a wharf where vessels could berth in any weatl: r and at any hour, and allow passgers, mails, and cargo to be landed or embarked with certainty and safety. With regard to THE FINANCIAL QUESTION, k would of eourso bo unwise to proceed unless satisfied that the scheme would not impose an undue burden on the community. On this subject the speaker quoted from the statistics presented at the statutory annual mooting of the Harbor Hoard on August 15th last, to show there would lie no fear of any extra burden on the ratepayers by the expenditure of £350.000, the £50,000 having to he met in any case. In 1886, when the first term’s interest had to be met, the general receipts of the Hurbor Board, other than rates, amounted to £1151; in 1906 the receipts totalled £16.320; and this year over £lB,000. The indications pointed .to an increase for the next year of from £2OOO to £3OOO, making a probable total for the twelve months of over £20,000. An increase of £19,000 sinco the loan was first raised in 1881 ! Rates, not dealt with in the preceding figures, showed almost a corresponding increase. In 1892 the rates wore £2869, as compared with £9575 in 1906, showing the wonderful increase iu valuations, settlement, and improvements generally. This year tho harbor rate was not being collected, the first time for 20 years.

because of tho dimensions commerce had assumed and the consequent prosperity of tho Board. It was also stated that no rate need be collected next year. And this enormous surplus would ho swelled by tho natural increase of the turnover year by year. “You cannot stop the prosperity of a place like this,” continued Mr. Rees. “If wo build tho harbor tho revenue will still more rapidly increase. Wliateveir figures are taken, whether prepared by one section of tho Board or the other—l am not offering an opinion on their relative merits —you will find there need be no reasonable apprehension .on the part of the ratepayers that any additional burden whatever will be placed on their shoulders in providing interest and sinking fund for the new loan.” (Applause.) He would go further, and believed from . the continual increase in valuations, rates, and revenue, tbit even the ole rate would never be struck again—in other words lie was convinced tliai the harbor would be self-supporting. Tonnage of vessels, the source of the revenue, had mounted up in the same ratio as tho figures he had quoted. Mr. Rees went on to emphasise that the question now at issue was not the construction of the harbor, but the passage of the Enabling Bill this session to give the peoplo the opportunity of deciding the question after due consideration. “We aire ashing Parliament to open the door to enable us to enter upon the scheme if we choose,” he added. “If we ultimately decide against it, we lose nothing.” -REPRESENTATIONS TO PARLIAMENT. The Chairman of the Local Bills Committee had said there were petitions against, the Bill, but no petitions in favor of it. As to the opposing petitions, Mr. Rees said those who forwarded them were within their rights, apart from the merit or otherwise of their case. But if the peoplo hero desired the Ball they must take some eteps to acquaint Parliament of the fact. It was not right to cast the responsibility of momentous matters like this on a small majority. BILL UNALTERED IN PRINCIPLE. As to the amendments made, winch Mr. Graham, chairman of the Committee, had enlarged upon, the speaker deolared that they in no way affected any principle contained in the Bill. All the clauses giving the ratepayers .J-he right to vote, to raise money for the purpose, and to impose taxation if required, remained intact. He had compared all the amendments with the. original, and could vouch that not one question of principle had been altered, although tho Bill bad been considerably improved by Mr. Bell. There .was no reason for contending that it was practioally a new Bill, and should, therefore, be sent back for ratification. Mr. Rees, in outlining the resolution necessary, said that the meeting did not pledge itself to any figures prepared by any person, except, of course, fixing £350,000 as the limit of oost for the work. Air. Graham had said there was no demand for' the Bill. It was for tho people of Gisborne to supply the answer, and then Parliament would not be likely to thwart their wishes. It was a . matter of great importance; the district must advance. If the Bill was shelved this year, it might tie similarly, treated next session, the last of the present Parliament, when in their hurry to conclude the work members might towards the close sacrifice this Bill amongst tho other “slaughtered innocents.”

RESOLUTION PASSED. In conclusion Mr. Rees moved:—— “That this meeting is of opinion that the Gisborne Harbor Bill should become law during tlie present session of Parliament, inasmuch as the comfort, tho safety, and the welfare of a large portion of this community depend to some extent upon the construction of an outer harbor, and as tho Parliament of the colony is not asked to lay any burden upon the public of New Zealand, but only to give the people of the East Coast the right to say whether they will at their own cost construct such a harbor, there can bo no reasonable objection to the passage of the Bill. “This meeting is further of opinion that a committee of five should be appointed to frame a petition to the House of Represemtaives embodying tho first part of this resolution, such committee to consist of his Worship tho Mayor, and Messrs. W. Lissaut Clayton, A. P. Matthews, T. Adair, and the mover.” Tho speaker added that there would be power to add to the committee, for country representation. There were many gentlemen, station owners and others, who wero favorable to tho Bill, -but it would be necessary to obtain their sanction before putting them on tho committee.

MR. CLAYTON’S SPEECH. Mr. W. Lissant Clayton, in seconding tho motion, emphasized that the object of the meeting was NOT TO FORCE THE SCHEME on opimnents, but to givo tho ratepayors of tho district the opportunity to express their opinions by means of the ballot box. Tho moro passage of the Bill was not in any way binding ; they wero not forced to follow it up if upon examination they found tho schemo not practicable or economically possible. NO BURDEN ON THE RATEPAYERS. Although he did not proposo going fully into the financial aspect at that juncture, he was confident that upon examination the peoplo would be satisfied that there would not bo any undue taxation or burden imposed upon tho community by tho outer harbor. THE PRESENT “MUD-PUDDLE.” He wished to point out that they wero unwittingly paying moro for the “mud-puddle,” that they had for a harbor at present, than they wero aware of (“No.”) He was prepared to prove it later on. There was no douot that tho cost of coinmodities, for instance groceries, was increased. If the householder asked a tradesman why it was that tho price of articles in Gisborne was dearer than in Wellington, Palmerston or Christchurch the reply was that it was due to the heavy cost of freights and wharfages under present methods. NARROW-MINDED OPPOSITION. Mr. Clayton went on to express the belief that the opposition to tho scheme—if there was any serious opposition—was to a great extent duo, in all probability, to tho conservative instincts of gentlemen who had lived in this district so many years and got in a rut which they could not get out of. (A Voice: They arc the ones who pay tho rates, anyway). Possibly those gentlemen wero actuated by selfish interests and feared that they might bo forced to pay that which they should pay as their duty to the

■J;•triefc. (“Quite right,” laughter and applause.) AMATEUR ENGINEERS.” Another section, commented Air. Clayton, were "amateur engineers,’ which all towns produced. He waß sure Gisborne had a very strong contingent of amateur engineers (laughter) who professod to know more than eminent engineers of repute. Personally he preferred to put his faith in experienced professional moil who had made a life study of it, particularly when marine engineering was in question. (Applause.) THE COUNTRY ATTITUDE. It had been argued that the country ?was opposed to the outer harbor, but 1 bo could not grasp why it should bo, providing Waiapu and Tolaga Bay were excluded from the harbor district. He had always favored the exclusion of Waiapu, because to includo it in tho district would bo unfair and unjust. With these exceptions, he thought it must be admitted that tho country would reap as much advantage from tho outer harbor as tho town, possibly more. Not only would tho country gain in regard to the price of produce; there was not the slightest doubt, he thought, that the value of land would bo enhanced. Land now valued at probably £5 or £6 an acre would ultimately be raised to double that amount. (“Nonsonso.”) That gentleman had not studied the question. He would tell them why ho thought prices would rise. He drew attention to a district

served by railway communication, Manawatu, where land of equal quality, and no hotter than in our back blocks was valued at from £l2 to £ls an acre, as compared with our £5 or £6. Why was.it? Simply because they had RAILWAY COAIAIUNICATION and we had not. Once Gisborne was provided with an outer harbor, we would find that would be the strongest argument we could possibly have lor getting this district properly opened up by railways. At tho present rate of progress few would live, it was prophesied, to see the Alotu tine' Completed; he was satisfied an outer harbor would bo found such an argument and incentive to railway construction that no Government would be able to withstand it. (Hear, hear.) - 1 ADDITIONAL TRADE. We would have not only the trade of Poverty Bay, but the trade of the Bay of Plenty and Opotiki. These places had not at the present time a harbor worth talking about, and that district would not have the menu;: for many years to come to construe', a harbor. There was no doubt about it that those centres would agitate, and keep agitating, until they got railway communication with Gisborne. GISBORNE’S PROSPECTS. Air. Clayton stated his belief that with an outer harbor, Gisborne would rise to be not only the chief port between Auckland and Wellington, but .one of the chief towns between those two commercial centres. (Applause.) Population and commerce mu6t accrue with the opening up of the sis trict, and increased trade facilities. THE RATES ARGUAIENT. Some people said the rates were rising, and the harbor would add to the total. He did not agree with this view, hut supposing a harbor rate were necessary the proportion. per head would automatically be reduced with the increase of population. He would further point out that this district had the COURAGE MANY YEARS AGO to go in.for a loan of £200,000, when the revenue of the Harbor Board was about £llOO. Now the harbor revenue was £IB,OOO. Therefore if the district was able 20 years ago to go into a scheme involving £200,000. surely the present proposition was much more sound and businesslike. There could be no question about it. (Applause.) . A HIT AT THE “JEREAIIAHS.” The speaker went on to remark that he was “not one of those Jeremiahs who went about preaching the downfall of the district, and uttering all sorts of gloomy forebodings.” CLaughter.) The extraordinary strides which he had noted in the district during fifteen years left no room fot doubts. He had great confidence in the future, and saw no reason win progress should stop or fail. Tht future held out good prospects, and if they put their shoulders to the wheel and worked in harmony’ foi the district’s advance there was no cause for apprehension. He quoted the

ENAAIPLE F TIMARU. There the difficulties of constructing a harbor had certainly not been less, its geographical position was not better than our own, and the fertility oi its back country was more than equalled by the East Coast. Timaru had the courage to face an expenditure ef £400,000, and ho was sure this centre would have the pluck to embark on a similar undontakiing. INVESTIGATION INVITED.

The moro mention of “outer harbor” aroused the opposition of some people. H 0 would like to ask whether this class of opponent had ever gone into the question and studied the balance-sheet of tho Harboi Board, tho import and export returns, tho Customs figures, etc.: They merely said in a hazy way, “We don’t think we can afford it.” He could not believe that they would ai.y this if they studied tho increasing revenue of the Harbor Board, the continued advance year by year in the trade returns, and the growth o._ population, which meant additional wealth and revenue. He urged the people to support tho resolution, and to

RISE ABOVE PETTY PAROCHIALISM. This petty, narrow spirit, no doubt, must be anticipated in all small towns. But he believed the good sense of tho peoplo would prevail, and that when the time came and tho scheme, approved by Sir John Coode and Co., was put before them, it would be oaxried. He trusted tlu resolution would bo carried, that the Bill would be passed this session, and that the town and district would join in thoroughly and conscientiously going into the merits of the scheme. (Applause.)

MR. MATTHEWS. Mr. A. F. Matthews, in supporting tho resolution, referred to some ol the great enterprises which had been carried out in various parts of the world by communities showing confidence in their possibilities. He instanced the irrigation works in Egypt, tho courage of tho French in constructing the Suez caual and ol the Americans in undertaking the expenditure of millions for tho construction of the Panama waterway. With such examples before them surely tlin branch of tho great Anglo-Saxon family was not going to show so little faith in its own future as to hesitate over tho mere expenditure of £350,000 when it meant so much to the district.

Mr. lan Simpson objected to Waiapu being left out of the rating area as had been stated by Mr. Clayton was tho case. The Mayor said the statement had been incorrect; Waiapu was not left out of the Bill. Speaking on this point Mr. Clayton said ho had always hold, and would continuo to do so, that it would be unjust and iniquitious to include Waiapu in tho rating area for the harbor schemo. Waiapu had its own harbors and he was not sufficiently selfish to .wish tho settlers of that district to pay for a harl>or that they did not desire and which would not confer any substantial benefit upon them.

DR. COLLINS. Dr. Collins rose to ask a question and being invited to mount the platform, did so. He said there was no doubt for_ the prosperity of tho district an outer harbor was necessary. At the same time he wished to raise ono or two issues. Ho thought it a very great pity that the Bill had been dealt.with in the way that it had, and it threw a considerable reflection upon the gentlemen who had been placed upon our public boards. No doubt the evidence which was sent in support of the Bill was not sufficiently strong to justify tho Parliamentary committee in passing it and tho Bij] had to bo reconsidered. He asked bis hearers when they wore accused of apathy in public matters, how

could they be expected to do so whom their public representatives would so present a measure that it had to bo reconstructed. He would like to ask if the secretary of tho Harbor Board went South to give evidence, and if not, why not? Another question ha would like answored was;—Could tho figures presented to the House bo justified as being correct? He was in favor of a harbor, but when a harbor scheme was presented to tho public and they' were invited to force it through tho House they would naturally’ - want to know if such a harbor would have a rocky bottom. Was it a fact, he asked, that captains and underwriters bad made the statement that boats would not come into tho proposed harbor owing to the nature of it bottom? As one who had taken some notice of the local politics of tho district he had been astonished to find that gentlemen were elected to certain public positions pledged to support certain measures and when they got to AVellington they failed to do so. if they had read their daily papers they would have seen that at a recentHarbor Board meeting there was a fracas between the Hon. Captain Tucker and Air. W. D. Lysnar. That was childish, ridiculous and absurd. (Applause.) With regard to the statement that tho paucity of the attendance that evening indicated the apathy of the public ho contended that if our public men would conduct their duties in a manner that appealed to the common sense of the community they would very soon find that there would be plenty of public interest in the matters they brought forward.

Mr. Rees referring to the questions formulated by Dr. Collins said they were pertinent to the point and proper. At the same time the speakers that evening were not in the position of candidates seeking public positions who might properly be expected to answer any questions put to them. Before concluding he expressed his satisfaction that the attendance was much larger than had seemed probable earlier in tho evening, and he was pleased to note that it was a thoroughly representative one. He thanked the audience for its careful attention and for its evident sympathy with the harbor movement. <- - The motion was then put by tho Alayor and was declared carried with only two dissentients. A vote of thanks to his Worship the Alay’or for presiding terminated the proceedings.