GREYMOUTH HARBOR WORKS,

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1901, 19 September 1874, Page 2

GREYMOUTH HARBOR WORKS,

TEE DEPUTATION'S fIEPORT. The members of the deputation recently sent to Wellington, comprising representatives from the Brunner Coal Company, the Greymouth Coal Company, and the Corporation of Greymouth, me* the other members of the Borough Council, as representatives of the citizens, in the Town Hall, last evening, in order to give an account of what had been done during their recent visit to Wellington with regard to Mr Moriarty's report, and the carrying out of the proposed works for the improvement of the harbor. The Greymouth Coal Company was represented by Messrs Moss, Kerr, Glenn, and Johnston. The Brunner Company by Messrs F. Hamilton and D. Maclean. The Corporation by the Mayor, Councillors Griffen, Moore, Dupre, and Eissenhardt. The Mayor occupied the chair, and said that the meeting had been called in order to enable the deputation to give some account of what they had done during their absence. No doubt the result had become known to them through the medium of the Press, but still he thought it necessary to call them together, so as to make further explanations. On the arrival of the steamer at Nelson, they found that there was no steamer available for Wellington for a week, and they induced the firm of N. Edwards and Co to lay on the Charles Edward to take them over. They arrived in Wellington on Friday afternoon, and managed to arrange for a meeting with the Government on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. Mr Curtis, Superintendent of Nelson, gave every assistance to the deputation, and it was arranged that he should introduce the members to the Minister of Public Works, and that afterwards he (the Mayor) should speak, and that any other member of the deputation should follow him on any point he omitted. After the formal introduction, the interview with Mr Richardson lasted over two hours, during which time the subject was fully laid before him and explained. Mr Richardson asked them to state their case in writing, when an answer would also be given by the Government in the same manner. This was done, and the documents had already been made public by means of the' Press. The deputation then requested that they should have an interview with Mr Yogel, out of no disrespect to Mr Richardson, but simply on the ground that they felt the public of Greymouth would not be satisfied if they had not an interview with the Premier. The request was granted, and at both interviews the deputation was well received. The Minister of Public Works referred to the question of the establishment, of a Harbor Trust at Greymoutu, and said the Government had no intention to establish such a trust here, as they considered the harbor works here a Colonial work. Mr Richardson said he only wished ,to know what the general feeling of the people was on the subject. Out of the votes available, L 15,000 would be spent on harbor works here during the year, which would carry the protective works down nearly to the mouth of ' the lagoon. The only reason why these works were not immediately started, and now being carried on, was the claims of the frontage sectiQ^hoMersfor compensation. That que*St^^^^HHHbM^rr^4,to the Attorney General^cH^^naingTfif^&Hilement nothing would be done by the Government tc carrying out the protective works. The Government were quite prepared to go on with these works, and had a steamcrane and other apparatus that they would willingly send round, but in the meantime they were debarred from taking any action. Other matters were brought up, and Mr Bonar took the opportunity of bringing under the notine of Mr Richardson the extension of the railway to Hokitika. The answer given was that the Government would see that the surveys would be completed during the coming summer. In, connection with the same matter it was also mentioned that as the Government had taken over the Tidal Creek for railway purposes, it was necessary that something should be done immediately for the sanitary state of the town, as it was probable that the Board of Health at Hokitika would take the matter in hand. Mr Richardson did not appear to know much about the subject, except that the usual notice had been given because the creek had been taken over for the purpose of the extension of the railway to Hokitika. . However, he took notes of the remarks made by the members of the deputation, and promised to give attention to them. Mr Richardson also mentioned that the works to be done by the Government at the port this year would give an extra 2ft' of water on the bar. It was also pointed out that, in engaging the services of Mr Moriarty to draw up the report on the harbor there was no intention to offer any slight to the Colonial Government's engineers, to which Mr Richardson replied that they were perfectly satisfied with the steps which had been taken by the residents in Greymouth, and would endeavor to carry out the plans as far as they could during the present year, and that they intended to build a groin on the opposite shore to protect the channel. He must acknowedgo the very great assistance they received during their visit from the Superintendent of Nelson, who did everything he possibly could to help them during the whole time they were in Wellington, and during the interviews both with Mr Yogel and Mr Richardson, he Avarmly advocated the interests of Greymouth. The success which the deputation had met with was mainly due to the efforts made by Messrs Curtis, Bonar, Lahman, and Harrison. When the question of the purchase of the frontage river sections was brought up, Mr Richardson stated that no further Crown grants would be issued, and if the Government had been made aware of recent purchases they would have been prevented. Whenever the question regarding these sections was settled, the Government would commence the work. Mr Moore asked if the deputation could suggest what action should be taken so as to bring about a speedy settlement of the frontage-sectipn question, in order that the protective works might proceed. Should they not send some memorial to the Government ? . . The Mkxds. thought the subject had only so: recently, befen, brought under the , notice i of 'the "'Government that a simple I

reminder not to lose sight of the question would be sufficient. Mr Moss said— On this subject Mr Richardson made the remark that it was desirable that the public of Greymouth should help the Government ; but it was suggested, in reply, that the better way would be to take the land, oyer, and have , the question settled in Court. r The Mayor said Mr Richardson also hinted that if the sections could not be got at a reasonable price they had another scheme in contemplation in order to acquire them. One claim had already been made on the Government for compensation for a corner section for an amount which completely frightened the Government. Mr Richardson remarked regarding it, that land seemed to be as valuable in Greymouth as in the City of London. He would take the opportunity of acknowledging the assistance i the^ depnv tation had received from Mr Cob'p'eir 1 , especially in the matter of the Hospital reserve. ..-••. r- ■-. , ■..• < ' Mr Glenn asked what : had been done 1 with regard to the Hospital site ? •; :•;:-; The Mayor said the qnly question! was the value of the present hospital buildings,' and the erection of the new buildings. The two Superintendents. seemed? inclined to assist, but the Goneral Government would not give more than the value^ of the present buildings, so that the people would have to put their hands in their own pockets. In conclusion he would mention that he had, :' on behalf of inhabitants of Greymouth, given' an f in-' vitation to the Premier aud Mr-RibhariJr son to . visit the town during the; coming summer. Mr Yogel . had replied that as he was going home he could not possibly come, but that Mr Richardson •; would visit Greymouth during the summer if he could spare the time. Mr Kerr expressed the satisfaction he felt at the report' of the deputation,; and the account of their reception in Welling-; ton, as it was now proved that the stepstaken by the Borough Council iri regard to the harbor works, and the sending ofthe deputation to Wellington were judicious, aod might materially assist the prosperity of the port. It had> been said that by engaging Mr Moriarty to do this work they were insulting the General Government engineers, but it had been proved that the Government took the same view of the matter that any sensible man would have done. He moved :-^ "That the report of the deputation be received, and that this meeting,'representing the Borough Council, T Brunner Coal Company, and Greymouth ; Coal Company, hereby desire to express and convey their thanks to the members of the deputation who proceeded to Wellington to urge on the General— Government the necessity of proceeding^ . wibb. the. bar and harbor improvements at Greymouth ; and further that this meeting feels. highly; satisfied with the result of the deputation's mission to Wellington." '. Mr F. Hamilton seconded the motion.' He thought that as Mr Curtis ; had' been the best abused man in the district, he ought to receive special thanks for the efforts he made to assist the depxitation. ' ; ;. '• Jf The motion was carried unanimously.' Mr Hamilton proposed < &'. special'lvote of thanks to Messrs? Curtis, Bonar, Lahman, and Harrison for -the assistance rendered by them to the deputation. Mr Ddpre seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. ■ : LT T n The meeting then adjourned. J