THAMES HARBOUR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4577, 20 June 1923, Page 2

THAMES HARBOUR.

MEETING at THAMES. SPECIAL RATING AREA APPROVED A special meeting of the Thames Harbour Board was held on Tuesday afternoon to consider the petition from the Thames Borough ratepayers asking the Board to go on with the harbour improvement scheme. Mr R. Coulter presided, and there were present: Messrs D. G. McMillan, A. A. Wagstaff, J. W. Danby, E. N. Miller, S. A. Hetherington, S. Laughlin, the engineer (Mr E. F. Adams), and-thF-utgHTfMr Correspondence fr,om. the. secretary of the Hauraki Plains Dairy Co., Tunis, stated that a deputation was appointed to wait upon the Board in connection with the petition concerning the proposed new harbour at Thames. The deputation was to represent the Turua Ratepayers’ Association, Turua Town Board, Huirau Road factory of the N.Z. Dairy Co., Ltd., and the Hauraki Plains Dairy Co. The letter objected to one clause in the petition to the Board which reads “That your Board should, if it Is agreed to carry out the wishes contained in the petition, agree to maintain the present charges.” The objections were on the following grounds, as set out in the letter: — “That if agreed to, this would unfairly tie your Board’s hands in making a reduction in charges if in the fut.ure the business and trade of the port is so increased as to warrant a reduction.

“That if it were not possible for the Board to so reduce the charges at any future time it would prove detrimental to-the port in so far as the Hauraki Plains is concerned, and it may be the means of driving trade away to other wharves Lot in. tha present harbour district.

“That, if the new harbour proposal is to be a success it does not want to be made so at the expense of high charges, but rather that facilities should bring trade, which could not in the opinion of the people of this district, be brought, about by increased facilities only, but by reasonable port charges also. “I have been asked t,o respectfully point out that the people of this district do not at-the present time wish to object to the present charges made by your Board so far as the Turua ?vharf is concerned, and they much appreciate the facilities they at present have and are cheerfully paying for them, but as time goes, on and the trade of this district Increases the people of this district feel they will be justified in asking your Board to consider, a reduction of charges from the present rate, which is considered high enough. In this connection I have also been asked to respectfully point out that the community which uses the Turua .wharf for exports from this district is paying to your Board a substantial wharfage charge per ton in comparison tp that which is paid t.o the Auckland Harbour Board, the latter being Is 10%d per ton on 90 per cent, of the goods exported to Auckland, which consist of butter, cheese, hides, skins, tallow pork, etc.,, which are primary products. On the other hand the whole of the goods, imported into Turua from Auckland pay no charges whatever, to the Auckland Harbour Board. There is one other; item I am asked to respectfully point out, and .thac is that a large quantity of the goods imported into Turua from Auckland which pay a charge to your. Board of 3s 5d per ton are also re-exported in the form of the manufactured article, and again pay a charge to your Board of 3s 5d per t,on, so that 7s per con is paid by the primary producers of this district to your Board on these goods, an’d I would like to respectfully point out that the primary producer is in the unfortunate position of not being able to pass any of these charges on, as the greaiter proportion of his produce is. sold in the open markets of the world, where he has to accept whatever price is offered in accordance with supply and demand.

“In case this statement as to reexports may be doubted I will name the most important items as affects dairy companies: Butter boxes, cheese crates, cut wire for binding same, salt, carbonate of soda, parchment paper, rennet, • cheese bandage, cheese caps scale boards, nails, staples, cheese colouring, etc. The above items would represent hundreds of tons in the course of a year, as used by the dairy factories using the Turua wharf.

“In view of the above, the people of this district feel sure that your Board will see the justification of their present request,, and that there is room to ask for a reduction in the present wharfage charges now,, so far as they relate to the re-exported items at least.’’—Received. The chairman explained the objects pf the meeting, and called for a motion.

Mr Wagstaff moved that each clause in the petition be discussed separately.

Members pointed out. that little benefit would come of this, and it would only take time. It was suggested that the first ten clauses be passed over.

Sir Wagstaff’s motion lapsed for want of a seconder. ■Mr E. N. Miller then moved

fl). That the Board approve of formation. of -a special rating area comprising the Borough of Thames, for the purpose of providing interest and sinking fund upon the loan of £60,006 for carrying out the scheme of harbour improvements recommended by the Board’s engineer.

(2) That the Board is agreeable to continue its port charges on the present basis, subject to such amendments as may from time to time, in its opinion, be necessary for expedience.

(3) That the Board undertakes to pay interest and sinking fund on the said loan out of ordinary revenue, so far as such revenue in the ordinary course of business will permit, and collect the balance only by means of a special rate within the said borough.

(4) That the Board grant the prayer of the petition upon these conditions, and instruct its solicitors to

at once take steps to secure tha necessary legislation. Mr Miller said he represented the Borough of Thames, but while on the Harbour Board he had to take the wider view and look at masters as they affected the whole of the harbour area. He had travelled over the whole of the area and found that public opinion was that Thames could have its harbour provided the whole area did not, have to pay for it. The Thames ratepayers had the courage of their, convictions and were prepared t,o pay for the scheme. The Board should welcome their offer, and should favourably consider the petition. There was a feeling in the outer area that somehow they would be burdened with the cost of the harbour, but by accepting the petition the Board would not only gain the confidence of the Thames ratepayers, but also the confidence of those m the outer area. In regard to the petition itself, he would not agree to clause 10, as it would unjustly tje the hands of the Board. It might probably be necessary at some future time to alter the port charges, and it was not right that the Board’s hands should be tied for all time. He was sure that, this was not the desire of the petitioners, but it was their desire that fair charges be levied. The ratepayers were prepared to be rated for any deficiency if one occurred. Mr J. W. Danby seconded the motion, and stated that this was a proud and unexpected moment. The past board had toured the district and accepted the wishes of the people. Now his fellow citizens had come to the Board and asked that the project oe gone on with. The town members would decide on questions With impartiality, and country members would be assured that their interests would, be protected. He believed that the proposition was safe and sound. Unless something was done the Board might at any time have to expend much money at the wharf to keep the port open.

Inquiries had been made recently by a man who wished t,o tender for the supply of cement for the Arapum dam, continued Mr Danby. If the cement could be landed at Thames it would mean a saving of £15,000 to the taxpayers owing to shorter railway freights, and the Board would receive £5OO in revenue. Millers’ West Australian Hardwood Company had written asking what facilities the port would offer in 18 months’ time, as there was a probability of that Ann tendering for the supply of timber for the Waihi-Tauranga section of the East Coast railway and the Paeroa-Pokenp railway for the supply of hardwood timbers and sleepers. Mr Danby agreed with Mr Miller on the matter of clause 10.

Mr Wagstaff said that personally he felt sure that the Thames people’s suspicions of the country members were unfounded. AU members were present to. serve the district as a whole. Tlie Thames borough had come forward with a scheme, and later the other areas might ask to be included. He endorsed the remarks of the Thames members, particularly in regard to clause 10.

Mr Coulter said he knew that tlie Board would not agree to clause 10, and was glad that the Thames members had brought- the matter up. He was sure tjiat all the Board would .now support the petition with some few amendments. x

Mr D. G. McMillan said that, being a country member, and erne who had perhaps been looked on with suspicion, he would give his wholehearted support to any scheme that would benefit the whole. The rate-: payers on his' side of the river thought that may be in the future the dues would go up. He was the only one, with Mr Laughlin, concerned with a wharf outside the Thames area. He asked if the Board would consider a differential rate if the business warranted it. He would not block any scheme provided the ratepayers were protected, but thought the rates were unduly high. At P re " sent 3s lOd was paid either way over the Turua wharf. At present the Auckland. charges were Is 10%d one way only.

Mr Laughlin said he complimented the Thames people on coming forward with their scheme. They all had faith in the engineer, and were sure to g et value for their money. He asked whether the old rating area would remain, and suggested that it should be repealed. This would remove all suspicion in the minds of country ratepayers.

It was decided that each clause of the resolution be put to the meeting separately.

On the first clause being put it was carried unanimously. Mr Miller then formally moved the second clause, which was seconded by Mr Wagstaff and carried unanimously. Tn moving the third clause Mr Mil” ler said that he was sure that this was the view taken by the Thames ratepayers. The motion was seconded by Mr Hetherington, and carried unanimously. Tn reply to Mr McMillan the clerk said that the business of the port would have to increase 50 per cent, to pay the charges on the £60,000 loan. Mr Miller then moved the fourth clause, and urged that steps be taken at once to have the necessary legislation put through during the present session.

Mr Danby seconded the motion. Mr Hetherington said that one of the promoters of the petition had given the opinion that the ratepayers would have "no hesitation in accepting any amendment to the petition. Mr Miller said that the resolutions now passed by the Board gave the opinions of the ratepayers as they desired the Board should act.

Mr Coulter said he felt sure that the Thames members represented the wishes of the Thames ratepayers. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr Laughlin said that he felt it would be a good thing to repeal the present boundaries. It would do a lot of good, as it would remove the fear in the minds of those ratepayers who thought that later they might be made to He moved in that

direction, ' Mr Coulter said he knew that a feeling existed in the district that they should not be included., He thought that it would be wise'to open up the subject, Mr. Miller said he hoped that nothing should be done now to alter the representation. Mr Coulter said he thought that the matter should be deferred; until the area concerned asked for it. Mr Danby said that the Board’s de< cision would give great pleasure t<' the people of Thames. He asked that the project be gone on with at once, and suggested that Messrs Miller, Hetherington, and the chairman be a committee to consult the .Board’s solicitor, possibly that atfernoon. Mr Laughlin seconded, ptovided Mr Danby’s name was added. The motion was carried. Mr Miller said that he wished to point put that the provision in the las 1 Act, about the alteration of representation if the loan, was carried would not operate now. Mr Miller thanked the members for the attitude they had taken towards the petition.