NGAHINA WHARF.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4823, 17 April 1925, Page 2

NGAHINA WHARF.

BOROUGH COUNCIL CONTROL. REPORT OF COMMITTEE. The following report was submitted at la si night’s meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council, and was adopted:— "The committee set up to deal with this matter begs to report the successful completion of their work. "Ar. agreement was finally reached on April 1 with the Northern Steam Ship Company, and steamers were berthing at the wharf on Monday, April 6. “The negotiations have been very protracted and difficult, having lasted .15 months. At one stage they broke down entirely, but we feel, however, that the effort has been worth while. The wharf has been leased by this Council .Tom the Crown through the Public Works Department for a perio.i. of four years and nine months as from April 1, 1925. Statutory authority was necessary to effect this arrangement, and the necessary legislation was passed by Parliament last session. "The agreement to lease covers 2 acres 1 rood 22 perches, together with the wharf, goods-shed, and other buildings, erections, and all appurtenances. The rental payable by the Council is £2OO per annum. Insurances have to be effected by this Council against fire for the sum of £3'J'JO. The Council has also tp instal electric light, and arrangements have been made with the Power BoaxT. to do this work at a cost of £ll 10s. A supply of grids has also to be provided sufficient to stack cargo in times of. Hood. The property must be kept in good order and tenan table repair by the Council, fair wear and tear, and damages by fire, flood, tempest, earthquake, or other inevitable accident excepted. "The agreement with the Grown proscribes the maximum exemption for all goods, etc., to the order or for the Public Works Department. "Complete arrangements have been reached with the Northern Steam Ship Co. concerning the use by that company of the said wharf property, and the documents have been duly executed. The company has been given sole use of the offices and preference in the use of the Jheds, berthage. and all appurtnances, and a special wharfage rate of 6d per ton on all,inward and outward-bound cargo with half these rates on transhipments, and 6d per head on all passengers. Water has, to tc supplied free of charge as required by the company for its ordinary use without waste. In return the company’s agent is required to act as borough wharfinger without fee or remuneration. and as such to be responsible solely to the Council. Provision is made for regular monthly returns to be sent in writing to the Council by the company’s agent and wharfinger not later than the 7th day in each month, and for payment within one month of such return being furnished. The company has accepted full responsibility for all acts of the agent or the Borough Council in respect of vessels berthing at the said wharf, or goods landed at or placed for carriage on vessels under the control oi tho company. The agreement further provide? for payment, by the company on the same basis if the old Puke wharf is used for any purpose for which fees would become payable if tho Ngahina wharf were used. "The new arrangement provides for the use of up-to-date berthing and wharfage accommodation in keeping with the importance of the Port of Paeroa, and your committee feels that this must grow in importance with the general growth of the district. The wharf haw been erected, and been practically idle, for about eight years, and besides getting this public property used and returning some revenue the arrangements, secure its us. to the public of the whole district. including Waihi and Te Aroha, on most favourable terms.

"On goods carried by the Northern Steam Ship Co. the wharfage will be just 25 per cent of the charges which had been fixed by the regulations, and we have reason to hope that all the public will suffer will be a slight readjustment of freights. This saving of 75 per cent, on the gazetted charges must mean a considerable benefit to all residents of the whole district.

“The Ohinemuri County and the general public will greatly benefit by the necessity being removed for the opening of the Puke bridge, and we feel that a distinct service has been rendered to the local district community

"The low cost has been made possible by eliminating all possible overhead expenses under the special arrangements with th chief users, namely, the Northern Steam Ship Co. At the same tiijie the wharf has been retained as a public convenience for all ships and shippers using the port. “The committee wish to record their appreciation of the assistance which has been given by the officers of the Public Works Department and the spirit in which the negotiations have been carried on by the manager of the Northern Steam Ship Co. and tlie local agent.”

The Mayor said he was very pleased that satisfactory arrangements had been finalised. He was confident that it was a progressive step, as it not only gave the borough sole charge of the port facilities, but the considerable saving in charges would benefit the whole district. He confidently looked forward to the project becoming a decided success, Cr. Brenan congratulated the Mayor on completing the arrangements, and said that he considered the step was one of the most progressive undertaken during the last two years. Financially, he said, a saving of something like £4O to £45 a month would, be saved the residents of Paeroa alone. The benefit of the reduced charges would be felt and appreciated by the whole district. The Mayor had. shown considerable foresight, patience, and business acumen in completing tho negotiations. Cr. Edwards supported the remarks made hy Cr. Brenan. . ,

The following resolution was moved

by Cr. Flatt: "That the report, be adopted and a ’ copy forwarded to the Ohinemuri County Council and the Chamber of' Commerce : also, that iu view of the great advantage to residents generally and the saving in the opening of the Puke bridge, the Ohinemuri County Council be requested to agree to the • proopsal to grant water free for the use of the Northern Steam Ship C 0.,. Ltd., during the currency of the ar-‘ rangement.”

St--omlml hy Cr. Rrennn and carried.