WHARFINGER FOR TURUA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4701, 21 May 1924, Page 2

WHARFINGER FOR TURUA.

FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS. BOARD MAKES OFFER. The matter of the appointment of a full-time wharfinger at Turua, which has been before the Turua Ratepayers’ Association and the Thames Harbour Board for a long time, was advanced a stage further this week. On Monday evening the Ratepayers’ Association met, and after fully discussing the question appointed Messrs W. Madgwick, A. H. Rogers, J. T. Davie-, and P. R. Henry to wait upon the Harbour Board at it : special meeting yesterday. Mr Henry said that the Turua settlers had a grievance in that there was not the service provided at the Turua wharf which the settlers were entitled to. He reviewed the negotiations to date, and stated that the present wharfinger had promised to give the service required for a salary of £lOO a year. At present he was in receipt of £5O a year. Mr Homy quoted the receipts and expenditure on the wharf for the year 1923, and said that while this showed that the board should be in a position to pay the £5O required to secure the protection of the settlers by the appointment of a permanent wharfinger, the increase in the amount of cargo handled since 1923 justified the appointment now, if it did not then. Mr A. H. Rogers said that at present the charges were 3s 6d a ton. He did not think the board would be justified in increasing this amount, and pointed out that if it was done the trade would be driven to the Piako River, where there were no wharfage charges. The settlers did not wish to dictate to the board, but were of the opinion that it should meet them in the matter. Mr Davies said that the wharfages paid to the board in the past were sufficient to have paid for the construction of the present wharf, Mr Madgwiek discussed the financial statement respecting the wharf, as published by the board, and showed that by paying a sinking fund, an.l also depreciation, the settlers were paying over and over again. In icply to the chairman Mr Donaldson reported on a further interview with the manager of the Northern Steam Ship Co., in regard to a contribution. Captain Hammond had said that no complaints had been received except one concerning overcarriage. The company was not prepared to make a contribution, but had agreed to reduce the rate of commission charged the board for collecting wharfages from 15 per cent to 10 percent.

Mr S. Laughlin said he was against increasing the wharfage rale and was in favour of granting the request. The chairman said that the board liail given a promise to conserve its finances. He realised the settlers de served assistance, and moved that the salary be increased by £25. In seconding Mr Donaldson said that die board should do the far' thing, and should anticipate the good time coming. At the same time he could not agree that one section or th? area had any claim to what d contributed. In support of this he quoted a case, often arising, in boiough administration where the residents of one area with highly improved sections paid a large amount in rates yet were not entitled to have their streets given better attention than the rest of the borough. Mr Loughlin pointed out that the board had been collecting revenue for many years before it provided decent facilities at Turua. He moved ad an. amendment that the board grant an increase of £5O per annum.

Mr McMillan, in seconding, said that if the board only granted £25 the man would not accept the position. The settlers would not make up the balance. He strenuously advocated adopting the amendment, and pointed out that unless it was carried the position would be the same as before. Mr Danby said he was r.ot adverse to the amendment provided the whai finger looked after the interests of the board. At present no goods other than those transported by the Northern Company paid the charges. A lot of goods came from Kopu and paid nothing. Mr McMillan pointed out that it was the duty of the Kopu. wharfinger to collect those charges. The chairman said that in view of the ti ranees of the board he did not feel justified in granting more than the £25 increase. He fell sure the work done would not be worth £2 a week to the board, and therefore urged members to proceed cautiously. Mr Hetherington advocated a six m mths’ trial at the higher rate, and Mr Danby supported. Mr Donaldson and Mr Wagstaff were for the trial at the lower rat I .'. The chairman agreed to alter his motion to be that a tial be made for six months at the rate of £75 a year (£25 above the existing rate), and tiiat at the end of that period the •matter to come up for review. If it was found that the increased revenue warranted it, then the salary would be increased to £lOO a year, this increase to be retrospective to May L 1924. Mr Laughlin’s amendment was put to the meeting and defeated, only th 3 mover and seconded voting for it. The motion was then put and carried. The secretary was instructed tc draw up a schedule of duties for submission to the present wharfinger.