GREY HARBOR BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1920, Page 4

GREY HARBOR BOARD

A special meeting of tlie above Board was held at Greymouth last night, when the Chairman (Mr Steer) submitted a report in regard to the Government proposals to take over the control of the harbor works at Greymouth under certain financial conditions. In the course of his report Mr Street said: —I may state that I had an interview with the Member of the District, Mr Seddon, and discussed the several proposals with him, including the matter of the treatment of the deficiency of interest and sinking funds, owing to the Treasury and lie has promised to safeguard the Board on the lines submitted in this report. As soon as the draft copy of the Bill is ready a 'copy will be forward for the Board’s approval and upon receipt of this I will call a special meeting of 'the Board to consider same. Mr Ryall: What would constitute the rating district? The Chairman: According to the Hon. Mr Wilford it would extend fr'om Inangaliua to Mount Cook. Personally I do not think there will he any need for taxation. Mr Ryall said that in regard to the rating district it would be opposed by every local body on the West Coast. Ratepayers had a quite sufficient burden to bear without having to pay for harbour improvement. Ho aslso intended, as a member of the County Council to oppose such a scheme. The iChairman said that when the proposals came into effect there would be an elected Board, wlifch would have to go to the people before they could strike a rate. Mr Leitcli said that, they had the Government practically guaranteeing the present loans, and it was for the ratepayers to say whether a levy for future loans should be struck to pay interest on sinking funds. Mr Tennent was of .the opinion that they should not take over responsibilities until they knew where they were. He did not agree to the payment of £15,000 by the Railway Department and thought £IB,OOO was little enough. Mr Bteer said that out of the 3d rate on coal set aside to pay interest on sinking fund the Railway Department was getting half, but the eluinoes were that the Board would in future get the whole of it. After a lengthy discussion on the question of how much was considered a favourable sum to be paid by the Railway Department to the Board, members wore agreed that £IB,OOO was the Teast it could meet the situation with. The whole of the chairman’s statement, with several amendments by the members was then approvad nifd the' meeting terminated.