HOKITIKA HARBOR WORKS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1170, 29 June 1880, Page 2

HOKITIKA HARBOR WORKS.

PUBLIC MEETING, • The meeting convened by his Wor* ship the Mayor " to urge on the Government the desirability of granting a sufficient sum to finish the Hokitika Harbor Works" was largely attended at the Town Hall last evening; The subject matter of discussion, however, was in no way adhered to, as the majority of the speakers were allowed; to introduce a variety of subjects including the Education Reserve, Kumara sludge-channel, the Larrikin track, the local Hospital, and several other matters. Referring to the qnesiion for which the meeting was called. His. Worship the Mayor who Was in the chatr briefly pointed out that ho had convened tho meeting at the request of the Hokitika Harbor Board ; and that no doubt the two gentleman present from that town would clearly explaiu to those pvesent the ohjeet in view in asking him to convene the meeting. Mr Blake, who said he wag. asked to move the first resolution, didVo with pleasure, as he considered it was a matter of vital importance not only to the people of Hokitika, but the dto* trict generally that the Harbor works at that town should be completed. Tf they had two good harbors it naturally followed that with the competition eX« isting, the price of provisions; and supplies must be kept at a reasonable standard. He knew that the works already carried but had greatly improved the Hokitika harbor,, and he considered that if the remainder of the money that the Board were now requesting the Government to expend was laid out, that it would make a capital job~of it. Centrally situated as they were, it was their duty to assist either Hokitika or Grey mouth in buT* ing good harbors, as it waa to the ad-* vantage of the community here generally although they often pooh-poohed both places. He was sorry to observe that the Press had not, irrespective of advertisement concerning the meeting that evening, given any pnbHcity.thereto by the insertion of a local on the matter, as he thought that in a case of this nature they should throw away all ill-feeling and act in unity for the good of the district at large. As there was some gentlemen from Hokitika present he would leave them to more fully explain the matter; and with that object he moved the following resolution:— " That this meeting views with alarm that no further sum has been placed on the Estimates for the completion of th& Hokitika Harbor works, and most strongly wish to urge the Governmaut to finish a work of such vital importance to the town and district." Mr Campbell had great- pleasure in seconding the resolution. Although they had suffered some serious grievances at the hands of the Hokitika people, he trusted on this occasion they would sink all differences, and support the resolution. Mr Jack (the Mayor of Hokitika), in rising to support the resolution, said they would find this matter was for general interest of the district. The vitality of the Coast was greater than any part of the colony when they came to consider the heavy amount paid in insurances and freights, and it is won* derfiil that it had lasted so long. The amount they required to fißish the Harbor works at Hokitika was £IO,OOO, and when completed he considered they would be the best iu New Zealand. The work constructed up to the present

lime had increased the depth of water to 18ft where before only 5 or 6 feet existed. He Was not speaking as a Hokitika man, but as a Consumer, when he said that the completion of this work would materially affect the price of their Applies. From telegrams he had recoiWd from Messrs Seddon and Held he was grieved to find that the amount cf money required for the Harbor works had not been placed on the Estimates by the Government. Should the Government refuse to supplement the amount already expended by .£IO,OOO, they would still be compelled to pay .£4500 to complete the contract, and in that case a quantity of timber would only be left on the wharf to rot where, by the expenditure of the larger sum, it might be used with advantage iu the construction of the woiks. Mr Pubkiss thought it was obvious to anyone present that by having two potts the sources of supply were brought into a position of friendly rivalry, and consequently the prices were reduced. Should there be only one port available," they at once came under the thumbs of the merchants and had to pay through the nose. To them it was a question of self-interest, and not one of port and port, and the ing assembled there that evening were called together for the purpose of affording assistance ia having two ports on the Coast :'open during the year. The totat revenue of the Hokitika Harbor Board from all sources was £ISOO per annum; but when they come to consider the large amount of wharf that had to he kept in repair, and the salaries of those employed, the whole of this amount was absorbed in administrative expenses. What other source of revenue had the Board 1 They had an endowment in the shape of land down South on which they could not raise a single penny, as no one would lease it. Consequently they were placed- in exceptional circumstanced The best engineering talent had stated that vessels drawing 14 feet of water would be enabled to enter the Hokitika harbor" if the present works were completed; Although the Harbor Board undertook the works, it was with the full knowledge and privacy of the Government and, in fact, he considered the Government were part and parcel of the contract as much as if Mr Smith were on the one part and the Government on the other. On these grounds he contended the Government should carrjf out a contract they had commßhCeoY"especially after spending .£25,000 'oh, a work which Could now be completed for another £IO,OOO. '.Other Harbor Boards in the colony hadlarge endowments on which they could realize, and if the Hokitika Harbor Board was in the same position, he would not be addressing the meeting'on the subject that evening. Another reason he contended why the Government should complete the works was that harbor works were preeminently public wotks, to be constructed out of the money borrowed by the colony. The claim was a fair and equitable one, and he trusted the meeting would support it. The resolution was then pafc, and the Chairman declared it carried. The following resolution was, on the motion of Mr Dunqan, seconded by Mr W. HanjtA, carried :—" That a copy of the foregoing resolution be forwarded'_ to the Government and members for the district." Messrs Barff and M'Kejjzie also addressed those present on various/subjects, and A vote of thanks having been accorded to the Chairman, on the motion of Mr jACk/the nifeetitig terminated.