PIAKO RIVER WHARVES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4386, 6 March 1922, Page 3

PIAKO RIVER WHARVES.

<:• ' —• THEIR FUTURE OWNERSHIP. SAL® TO THAMES RESENTED. The proposed disposal of the Government wharves on the Hauraki Plains was brought before the Ngatea Farmers’ Union meeting on Saturday (Mr _W. G. Hayward presiding) by Mr G. T. Davidson, who pointed put that though it had been proposed to sell them to the County Council, there was a danger of them facing into the hands of the Thames. Harbour Board. Mr Hayward reported that the matter was discussed at the County Council meeting, and there had been a difference of opinion. The clerk had been instructed to inquire whether the wharves were owned by the settlers or by the Government. Mr McDuff: What advantage would it be for the County Council to take them over ? . . Mr Hayward : Ilf the Harbour Board takes them over we will have to pa? wharfage dues, but if the Council takes them we pay a rate. Mr Clare thought the Council should take control of the wharf, and later a river board should be formed. He did not think the. Thames Harbour Board should be allowed to acquire them. Mr McDuff did not think the Cot ’- cil should take them while the department would control them. The Council, had enough, to deal with at present without haying the wharves. Mr McClean : Have they the right to offer the wharves t’o anybody, Mr Hayward :. That is what we have got to find out. Mr W. Clark: If the wharves are to be put on to anybody, the Council should have them. Mr Davidson was pleased with the stand Mr Hayward had’taken at the Council meeting, objecting to the Harbour Board taking the wharves. He thought feasible a suggestion at the Council meeting that the Council should take the wharves for a few years to see whether or not the position would be favourable. Mr Hayward said that that would probably happen. The opinion of all the members appeared to be that the Thames Harbour Board should not control the wharves, and it was decided, to protest to the Hauraki Plains County Council against tjie suggestion of the Piako River wharves being handed over to the Thames Harbour Board.