Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY. NOVEMBER. 20, 1920. THE HARBOR ISSUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY. NOVEMBER. 20, 1920. THE HARBOR ISSUE.

At tlie meeting of the County Council bn Wednesday there was a good deal of comment on the Greymouth Harbor Board Amendment Act lately passed by Parliament. The act applies to the port of Greymouth, and tlie.^_Government is empowered to proclaim -the Greymouth harlror district in accordance with boundaries determined upon by a Commission appointed for the purpose of deciding same. Presumably the constitution of the membership of the board is to continue under the present nominee system by the Government. In April of each year the Board is to make its annual estimate of income and expenditure, and levy a rate sufficient to provide for a deficiency. Apparently the latter is anticipated, and it certainly seems a loose way of determining the matter on “estimates”. 'Hint this is so, is emphasised by the fact that the estimates may include the amount of any deficiency in the revenues not only for the preceding year, but also, for “any former year”— which is far too open a provision, and suggests something of the looseness and haste with which the legislation was drafted and put through Parliament. Under the Act tho Minister of Railways takes over the Gre.vmouth-Brunner coalfield railway, so that the Board has parted with its chief asset, which it will be recognised is an improving rather than a decaying source of revenue. As a quid pro quo for the line the Government undertakes to pay a subsidy not exceeding in any year the sum of £15,000, which is sure to be earmarked as against the interest and charges on the Harbor Board loan of £400,000. In addition, the amountowing at date by the Board for overdue interest on loans, is to be funded and debentures issued for the amount, and treated as a loan on such terms and at such interest as may be agreed upon. The Board is given power to levy wharfage dues, in addition to its rating powers. There has been the suggestion that this district should be included in the Greymouth harbor district but no doubt a strong protest will fee made on the matter. The district has its responsibilities already in respect to the Hokitika harbor, and that burden will have to be borne for many years yet. To saddle additional burdens on a people where in another direction the Government seeks to restrict industry is qiuite unfair. As mentioned lately when referring to the subject, the people lie re might at any time make arrangements to ship the major portion of., their timber from this port. But for the high price of shipping something would have been done in this direction before now and as a matter of fact negortiatiojns are going forward with regard to the purchase >f bottoms suitable for working the harbor In addition there is the long looked for completion of the Otira tunnel in sight and that accmplished the bulk of our timber freight no doubt will pass through the Alps to the East Coast. A strong case can bo made out for the exclusion of this part of the county frPm the district. The act as passed has seriofus faults if it is sought to impose it here. It is inequitable in its pro visions as they stand now. The liability for the expenditure may be made retrospective, which would be quite unjust. There is no suggestion of any differential treatment for town or country, and other aspects, which «hould be emphasised at the proper time. The Act will not apply fairly here and

I should be resisted with nil the force that public opinion by taking the pro per means can apply.

The vexed question of Bold Hoad road came up at the Comnty meeting this week. This, as Mr Chinn remarked, ;'s a thirteen year old subject. The Ghair- , man and other members complimented Mr Chinn on the steps he is taking towards focussing attention on the comj plotion of the road. At the outset i we should like to reiterate again that it is a thousand pities the Governi ment did not carry out the behest of Parliament in 1911, and build the i railway to Waitalia. Had good faith been kept with the people of Westland, the line would have been in operation now, and the country receiving a splendid return in the revenue. But the railway is still to he held nip indefinitely. The Minister states it cannot be gone on with now, and as private enterprise wants the facilities to transport millions of feet of timber it cannot wait for the Minister to revise his opinion, and so private enterprise is going on with the construction of a sawmill , tramway, which will carry a locomotive. Where the Government baulks. , local enterprise steps in, which is a • suggestion at once that the Government is missing a good business opening_as undoubtedly it is. Mr Chinn’s proposal now is to confer with the ! millers who are to follow the line of ; Bold, Head road in the construction ; of the line, the bridges and crossings i can be made fit for stock and vehicle traffic, so that later with the line available, the road line could be ballasted by using the tramway, and in due ! time the road would thereby be con- • structed. The question of finance was not gone into, hut obviously there will be considerable cost involved. The road made would mean a second road in addition to the main road now kept by the Government. For that reason a Government contribution to the cost of tho second road would necessarily be restricted. The" local body might fairly ask for a subsidy, but it is apparent a- good sum would have to he provided by the local body. Till the cost and financial position are ascertained the scheme cannot be fully weighed. Those particulars the investigating committee is to report ‘upon. This report will place tho,matter in a concrete form and the information will be welcomed as a means of bringing a long delayed and much vdxed question to a definite head. To the southern people the road deviation is considered of the greatest importance.