TURUA WHARFINGER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4682, 2 April 1924, Page 3

TURUA WHARFINGER.

FURTHER DISCUSSION BY BOARD. MATTER STILL HELD UP. The matter of the appointment oi a permanent wharfinger at Turua was again brought up for discussion at the Thames Harbour Board meeting yesterday, when a letter from the Turua Ratepayers’ Association was read in which it was stated that the shor: notice of the board’s visit to Turua ma le it impossible for the association to be represented by anyone justified in expressing public opinion. The association, comprising as it did representatives of farming, business, and manufatcuring interests, had discussed the matter at length and was of the opinion that-as 3,s 6d per ton wharfage was now charged it could not see its way clear to pay any increase to pay for the services of a wharfinger. It was suggested that the board should ask the Northern Steamship Co. to help meet the extra expenditure. The letter also pointed out that the high freights, together with the wharfage, was driving trade to the Piako River, and that something should be done with regard to goods going astray.

Mr Laughlin asked whether anv reply had been received from the Northern Steamship Co.

Mr Donaldson reported having called upon the manager of the company, who had declined to make any contribution for the reason that if it was done settlers of all the ports on the coast Would make the same request. Tinma did not compare favourably with other ports where there was no one in charge. Mr D. G. McMillan said that he hopdd a satisfactory arrangement could he made. A rate of Is, as suggested by a speaker at Turua, would provide about £l4O a year. It was obvious that this was excessive.

On Mr McMillan proceeding to give the revenue of the wharf the board decided (o go into committee. On resuming it was decided to defer the matter until the following meeting, by which time the shipping company could again be interviewed and fresh aspects presented. Mr Donaldson drew attention to the fact that large quantities of road metal were being carted over the Turua wharf. The structure had not been built for such traffic. It was decided to enforce the bylaws.