THE OUTER HARBOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2290, 8 September 1908, Page 1

THE OUTER HARBOR.

MR. LESLIE REYNOLDS’ REPO'fT

DISCUSSED BY THE HARBOR. BOARD.

A special meeting of the Gisborno Harbor .Board was held yesterday afternoon to receive a report from Mr. Jioslio Roynolds on tho proposed construction of an outer iiarbor. There were present: .Mr. John Townley (Chairman), Messrs \V. D. Lysnar, J. Clark, 1). Hepburn, G. Alatthowson, J.'VVhinray, and AY. Siovwright. The report, 4s published in the “Times” on Saturday last, was then road and tho members examined tho accompanying plan which shows the breakwater in rubble, stretching out from Pah Hill point, and enclosing a harbor in an elbow-shaped arm. The Chairman said the plan was an excellent one, although tho proposed scheme was expensive. The .area of the sito containd 265 acres of deep wa.lor, which gavo vessels ample room to manoouvre. Tho Board was fortunate in having Mr. Reynolds’ advice, and it showed wisdom in not going on with Mr. Alarcliant’s scheme for Mr. Reynolds said Mr. Alarchant’s scheme would cost £IOO,OOO more than the estimate. Air. Reynolds’ report also showed the advisability of deciding upon a scheme that would suit for all time. Air, Reynolds’ -report was the best the Board had received, and lie asked the members to give it full consideration, although it was improbable that any definite action would bo taken at onco. Air. AVliinray said he also liked the plans, but 110 did not like tho price. Ho thought tho Board should tako time to lully consider the report. Such an expensive schomo would be a serious handicap to tho district, and until thoro were greater shipments of produce and timber there was no hurry to go on with the work. Air. Lysnar said 110 was pleased with the report, and glad to hear tho chairman say anything that was dono should bo carried out on Air. Reynolds’ scheme. The cost was expensive, but the district could not have a good articlo without paying for it. Ho felt the people cou Id well bear a loan of £570,000 for tho work, and it would not bo wise to wait un. dl the industries, of tho district wore further developed, for the outer harbor would help in the development. The balance-sheet for the half-year just closed showed that £17,700 would be received for the year in wharfages and port charges, and if an extra £5,000 was put on to the ships the charges would not then bo as high, but considerably lower than many of the leading ports of the Dominion, excepting Wellington. Adopting the port charges, but by increasing tho charges to be paid by the ships, the scliemo could be undertaken without the Board striking any extra rates. The shipping companies were willing to pay the present rates without any outer harbor . 'accommodation, and would probably be willing to pay the increase for better facilities. The increased revenlie would be £33,700. mado up of wharfage and pilot charges £17,700, endowment £5,000, extra port charges on ships £5,000, other receipts £1,000; and the estimated increased port revenue per year for fivo y r ears £2,000, making a grand total of £38,700. From this ■must be deducted interest at percent. on £570,000, £25,650; office and management expenses of port £5,000, total £30,050, leaving a balance of £8,050 available towards the liquidation of the old £200,000 river loan. Tho figures showed that the Board could face tho expense without any increased rate, but by doubling the chaTges on tho ships. There was no necessity to adjust the Harbor Board’s Bill to allow the work to be carried on, although it might bo necessary to go to Parliament to get the borrowing powers of the Board extended. He would not like to see tho scheme pressed to a speedy decision, but felt tho Board had enough reports, and the time had come for action. After the report had been discussed by a full Board the proposal could be placed beforo tho ratepayer's.

Mr. Matthewson said ho was afraid the Board could not go in lor such an expensive work for many years to come. He could not see why the deep water nearer to the town could not be used by passenger vessels. He had not carefully considered tho report, but if the work could bo undertaken without any increased burden on the people tlie scheme would havo his support. It was nice to have a large harbor; but ho felt sure a smaller harbor would do just as well.

Mr. iSievwriglit thought the Board was rather early in discussing an outor harbor scheme; but he agreed that Mr. 'Reynolds’ plan was the best yet received. The estimate had staggered tho Board, though Mr. Lysnar was an optimist and always looked on the bright side of things. The ultimate cost would bo nearer one million of money, and until tho idustries of tho district wero further developed the people would be unablo to bear tho burden of so great an expense. The community was not yet large enough, to bear a heavy loan, and the passenger need for an outer harbor would be done away with when Gisborne and Napier wore conneoted by railway. Mr. Clark was pleased to hear the temperato views expressed. No member wanted to.forco the schomo on to tho ratepayers. If tho scheme would be a success he would vote for it, but the whole question was, would the scheme bo a success P lie had spoken to a captain of a steamer and asked for his opinion on Mr. Marchant’s scheme, and was told the vessels would not try to enter tho harbor in bad weather. He also agreed with Mr. Reynolds’ opinion that the best site would be under Young Nick’s Head. Captain Smith, of the s.s. Mokoia, had said there were better facilities for working on the western side of the harbor. If he was certain Mr. Reynolds’ plan was to be an assured success lie would vote for it, oven at an estimate of three-quarters of a million of money, but lie wanted to be sure it was going to be a success. Mr. Hepburn said the plan showed that Mr. Reynolds’ scheme would cost more than Mr. Marcliant’s; but Mr. Reynolds’ scheme would givo more room for vessels. Mr. Whinray said the Board would have to be satisfied that there was a sufficient quantity of good qualitystone available for the work. It was necessary for the Board to make certain that tile engineers Ind carefully inquired into all the facts before their reports were prepared. Mr. Matthewson said Mr. AVliinray bad always been a “doubting Thomas” ou tho qualities of AVailiircre stone. He knew that the engineers had carefully inspected the quarry sites there, and were satisfied as to the quality of the stone. Mr. Lysnar said tho AVailnrere

stono had boon properly tested, and the engincors had sufficient information to form an opinion. Tho question of the needs of the shipping was not to ho considered. The shipping companies did not want any change, but the needs of tho people had to ho borne in mind by the Board. Tho Chairman: Wo aro landing goods at less cost now than we could with a big'harbor. Mr. Lysnar: With an outer harbor thcro should bo a saving of £22,000 a year and the only extra, cost would be the railage to the wharf. The Chairman: Those figures are a Ij.solulely misleading. Mr. Lysnar : Tho figures have been approved of by the Board. Mr. Clark: By the majority of members at a meeting"of tho Board. Mr. Lysnar: ]. would ask members not to boldly state the figures are wrong but to show where they are incorrect. The only set-off against tho (saving of the £22.000 is the cost of railway haulage. We are paying Is a ton haulage for meat, while other ports charge only Is per toil. Mr. Clark: There is not a port in the colony whore mutton is hauled under 5s per ton. If wo are going in for a harbor wo want the best, and Mr. Reynolds states the best •site is under Young Nick’s Head. Mr. Lysnar: 1 think we can leave tho Young Nick's Head site out of tho question. The Chairman: Don't let lie discuss the question now. Mr. Lysnar : I would like .to give notice of motion that necessary 'steps be taken to take a poll of ratepayers for authority to borrow what is allowed under the Gisborne Harbor Board Enabling Bill for the construction of an outer harbor on the lilies suggested by Mr. Leslie Iteynolds, with such alterations and amendments as may bo necessary. Mr. Sievwriglit: Parliament won’t be taken by storm in that way. Mr. Lysnar : It we get tlio consent of the people _ Parliament will not stop tlio provisions to raise the loan. Mr. Clark : I can’t got away from the fact that tho report states the best site is niftier Young Nick’s Head. Mr. Lysnar: It is about 11 miles around to Young Nick’s Head. Mr. Lysnar: 1 will give notice of motion for next meeting. Mr. Clark: Probably I will table a motion also. The Chairman: Mr. Reynolds was given the whole Bay to choose a site, and if ho had chosen the site under Young Nick’s Head he would have re- , ported upon it. He was not restricted t 0 Mr. Merchant’s site. Before tlio Board decides to use Waihirere stone it should be tlioorughly tested. There are many details that will need consideration before the proposal 5s placed before the ratepayers. lie proposd that a committee, consisting of Messrs Whinray, Mattkowson, Sievwrigbt, and the chairman be set up t 0 consider the report, and go into the whole question of finance. The chairman, continuing, said that in conversation with Captain Smith, of tho s.s. Mokoiu, that gentleman had stated Gisborne had an excellent roadstead and that, in connection with an outer harbor scheme, the Board should go slowly, and give the proposal careful consideration. With reference to passengers being overcarried, it had very seldom been his lot to ovorcarry passengers, and he thought if the harbormaster noted the best place to anchor vessels under Young Nick’s Hoad in stormy weather, and have a buoy moored at the site, passengers could always bo landed whenever tho tender could negotiate tho river and Bay. Mr.' Matthowson suggested that Mr. Lysnar be added to the committee. Vic would not act unless Mr. Lysnur’s name was added. Mr. Lysnar asked why he could not be added t 0 tho committee. Ho wished to carefully examine the financial part of the scheme. Mr. Giark: Let us have a committee of the whole Board, and stultify tlie whole position. Mr. Clark’s suggestion, to nppoint the Board a committee was adopted. Mr. Clark then asked if tho wharf at tho breakwater would bo connected with the Government railway line. Mr. Lysnar: The Board can have its own private lino to connect with the Government line. Mr. Whinray moved that steps he taken to investigate tlio Waihirere quarry as to its suitability for furnishing stone by the most reliable expert, obtainable. He thought the vexed question of the suitability of Waihirere stone should be determined. Mr. Lysnar: Let us got Mr. Reynolds to satisfy himself. The Chairman: That will cost another 250 guineas. I think we can get competent men .here. Mr. Lysnar: Mr. Leslie Reynolds would be the best man to give directions how to test the stone. Tho Chairman : Then let the Board write him a letter. Mr. Whinray: A square-cube of the stone should be sent to Dr. McLaren or Dr. 801 l to be tested. The Board decided to ask Mr. Reynolds to report upon the method of testing the stone, and then adjourned.