GISBORNE HARBOR BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2241, 19 November 1907, Page 2

GISBORNE HARBOR BILL.

PASSED BY THE HOUSE.

DRAFTING OF BILL IMPROVED

WAIAPU EXCLUDED.

PREFERENTIAL CHARGES APPROVED.

Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Nov. 18. While tho Gisborne Harbor Board Bill was passing through committee jn tlio House to-day, Mr. Homes said there was nob so much objection to tho Bill now that Waiapu County had been struck.out and other amendments mlado. Mr. Carroll said it was not intended to re-insert Waiapu County. Ho admitted that the Bill had been very much improved from a drafting point of view. Mr. -Homes: It’s a new Bill. (Laugh tor.) Mr. Massey- said they should bo careful about tho preferential rate. It- would ho unfair to allow people to come in and make use of tho harbor if they did not contribute to its cost. Ho also thought provision should be made in the Bill for limiting tho 'rate of interest, and for a sinking fund in connection with the loan.

Mr. Carroll said the provision of in--t-erost was in the main Act. Interest on tho loan was not to exceed 5 per cent. The Bill provided for a sinking fund at tho discretion of tho Board.

On the third reading of tlio Bill, Mr. Hcrries expressed satisfaction with the amendments made in tho Bill. He thought the preferential charge was a proper one. In regard to Tolaga Bay he expressed the opinion that a fair claim had been Iliad© out for that district, but he presumed that the committee thought otherwise and no doubt they were the best judges, having heard all the evidence in regard to the Bill ias a whole. Ho hoped that, the monoy which it was proposed to borrow would be expended iii a right and proper way. Everyone who knew the East Coast, must hope, as he did, that the harbor of Gisborne would be a- success.

Mr. Carroll said lie quite agreed with Mr. Herries in bis expression of opinion tliat the harbor would be a success. There was no other plan tbiat. offered such natural facilities for tlio construction of an outer harbor. 1-Ie referred to tlio importance and the growth of the district, which had a tremendous hack country and a wealth of reserves.- In regard to Tolaga Bay he said no justification had been shown for its e^clusiAn. [The Bill passed throiajfeFnll the stages in the House orTtepresentatives.]