THE HARBOR BOARD QUESTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5683, 17 June 1879, Page 2

THE HARBOR BOARD QUESTION.

A deputation of the members of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce, consisting of Messrs. T. Buchanan (chairman), J. S. M. Thompson, W. H. Levin, B. Levy, J. H. Bethune, J. B. Harcourt, Captain Hose, and Mr. Carroll (secretary) waited upon the Premier, Sir George Grey, yesterday forenoon, at the Government Buildings, with reference to the formation of a Harbor Board for the port of Wellington. Mr. Buchanan, who opened the proceedings, reminded Sir George that some months ago he had been interviewed upon the same subject, when ho expressed himself as being favorable to the formation of a Harbor Board. Acting upon this, the Chamber of Commerce had placed themselves in communication with the City Council, with the view of securing the co-operation of that body in the formation of a Board, and the passage of the necessary Bill through Parliament. In this, however, they had been unsuccessful, for, while the Council would not oppose the proposal, they would not take any action in the matter at present. The Chamber of Commerce, therefore, feeling that it is highly desirable for the welfare of the port that a Harbor Board should be established, had taken the step of preparing a draft Bill to he brought before Parliament dealing with the subject ; and he (Mr. Buchanan) asked Sir George, if he would consent to take charge of the Bill on behalf of the committee, and also if he had any suggestions to make which he would like to have embodied in the Bill. He said that the Chamber of Commerce was not actuated by any feeling of hostility to the City Council in taking this step, but they felt that that body had not the means nor the power to carry out such harbor works as were necessary, and if the Council had the control of the works, the rights of the port would be sure to interfere with the rights of the Council in some way. Mr. Buchanan reminded the Premier tha( ho had been kind enough on a previous occasion to say that he would look into the question of the foreshore, and if he had not as,yet done so, the deputation asked that he would kindly carry out his intention to do so. Sir George CuETsaid he had expressed himself before as being in favor of some body taking charge of the affairs of the port, and he understood there was a probability of the Municipality doing so. He had consulted with several people upon the subject during the last few days, and from what he had learnt he believed Parliament would be in favor of charging the Municipality with it. Mr. Buchanan pointed out that the constitution of a Harbor Board would embrace a wider section of the country than that of the City Council. The interests of the harbor were wider spread than those of the ratepayers, and the view was to give representatives of the surrounding country districts a voice on the Board, which would not be feasible if the harbor works were vested in the Council. Sir Ceobge Cp.bt said he would say no more upon that point at present, but he would carefully consider the constitution of the proposed measure. He asked, would gentlemen be able to attend the Board meetings if; the Board were composed of members from a wide area as suggested ? He saw no difficulty in the way of a Harbor Board being formed, the only question was how .was it to be constituted ? He felt strongly that Wellington must become a great emporium of progress, and this more speedily than most people thought. Large numbers of people were coming here, (and the place would soon become a great commercial depot. It was therefore the duty of Government to build up institutions for the government of a great city, such as Wellington would undoubtedly be in a few years. That there must be some body responsible for the management of the harbor he was perfectly confident. •'

Mr. Levin referred to the proposed constitution of the Board, which the Chamber of Commerce considered there was little likelihood of obtaining on any other basis. There was, however, an urgent necessity for something being done, for if matters remained quiescent the best interests of the port would suffer. It was very desirable that some action might be taken now, in order that the Board might get to work during the next few months. It would be prejudicial to the best interests of the port to allow matters to remain as at present. The Chamber of Commerce seeing this, had come forward to fill up the gap, and to do

their duty in the matter, for they had the best interests of the city at heart. He pointed out that the Corporation could not well administer duties beyond their seal charter. The Chamber of Commerce felt that if they did not step forward the existing condition of affairs would continue.

Sir Guenon Gbey felt sure Wellington would soon be a city of enormous proportions, and ho believed that the more duty was imposed noon the municipality the higher would be the class of people found to become members of the Council. He entirely sympathised with what had been said as to the work being taken in land speedily, for he had been distressed to see the apathy of the past. Ha thought something should he done, and the deputation might rely upon him assisting them. The only question was which was the best mode of carrying out the proposal. Mr. Buchanan, with reference to what had been said as to the apathy shown regarding wharf affairs, said the same matter had been brought under the notice of the Chamber for years past, and it was one of these points which had forced itself fully upon the attention of that body. Sir George Grey said ho would simply say this—that ho would do bis best to get sometiling done. According to Parliamentary precedent, however, the proper person to introduce such a Pill to the House would bo one of the city members. Mr. Buchanan said the deputation had requested Sir George to take charge of the Bill, not with any desire to act discourteously to the city members, but because if it was in his charge it would enlist the sympathies of ttio rest of the Government, He mentioned that tho senior city member, Mr. Hunter, was a member both of the Chamber of Commerce and City Council. Sir Geouob Gket said Mr. Hunter would be the best man to take charge of tho Bill. Ho (Sir George) should bo sorry to seo Mr. Hunter slighted in tho matter, for ho hold that gentleman in high esteem. He promised that when the Bill was before tho House he would give careful consideration to it.

Mr. Thompson said ho was a member of both tho Chamber of Commerce and the Corporation, and tho fooling was that the time of tho Councillors was so fully taken up that they would bo unable to attend to any further duties. They now had the Hospital to attend to, and if they also had tho harbor works to control, all these things could not be properly managed. Some Oouncillors could give up tho wholo of thtir time to the affairs of tho municipality, but others could not do so. He referred to the number and length of meetings which the Councillors now had to attend, and he did not think any higher class of people would bo found to join the Council it extra work were imposed. Sir Georoe Gret said these were certainly very good arguments, and they would be carefully weighed by him when considering tho other points. Tho truth of tho matter was, tho whole colony was interested in the harbor, ns much as were the country districts surrounding Wellington. Ho believed none of them properly estimated what the future of the city would be, and he instanced at some length tho rise of some of the cities in the United States.

Mr. Levin said what they were afraid of was that this day twelve months affairs would be in the same position as now, unless some resolute measures were adopted. They should put on one side tho question of whether one body or the other should have the management of affairs, and try and upset personal feeling of this kind.

Sir George Grey said the whole of the world was a struggle against personal feeling. If Mr. Levin in his youth saw the necessity of immediate action, he (Sir George) in his old age must also be impressed with the same necessity. He would like to talce an active part in the progress of the place. After some further general remarks upon the same subject, the deputation was about to retire, when Sir George Grey said he should like occasionally to meet and converse with the Chamber of Commerce upon many points upon which they could give him the benefit of their experience. He referred, for instance, to the increased hours allowed for landing goods, the principle of which, ho understood, was objected to, although it was initiated for the convenience of the port and tho quicker despatch of vessels.

Captain Eosb did not object to the overtime, bat he did not find that he was enabled by it to get any more work done than under the former system. Sir George Grey said these were points upon which the Chamber could give him advice and opinion. He had certainly understood that the extra hours were not appreciated.

Several members o£ the deputation assured the Premier that the port was not averse to the overtime system, for the quicker despatch that could be given ships the bettor. After some further conversation the deputation thanked the Premier for the courteous reception they had received, and then withdrew.