THE OAMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 45, 13 June 1876, Page 2

THE OAMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

[FROM THE "OTAGO DAILY TIMES" 01" TO-DAY.] A deputation from the Oamaru Harbour Board, consisting of Messrs. Steward, M. P. 0., T. Meek, and Forrester, yesterday waited upon his Honor the Superintendent. Mr. Steward explained that it was the intention of the Board, during the ensuing session of Parliament, to have a measure introduced for the purpose of obtaining additional borrowing powers, and at. the same time - - to ask for an endowment upon which it could raise money. They were of opinion that suitable land for this purpose could be obtained in the district itself. The Board had power to borrow £IOO,OOO, of which sivm it had already raised £35,000. But the remaining £65,000 wduld not be sufficient to

complete the works, and the Board therefore desired to obtain borrowing powers to the extent of an additional letting the £65,000; which had not as yet been raised, lapse. The} r wanted to obtain his Honor's assistance in regardto the Bill, which was''to. be introduced by the local members.. • ■ *s* His Honor said the fact was -then,, feat the Board thought it would be, better able to raise the money required if landed! endowment in addition to their present prorperfey. What was the income, of the Board ? Mr. Steward. ; Fully £.7,500 per annum, but on the completion of additional shipping facilities, *" it will no doubt increase £2,500 jmore. - " - His Hoxor said that he took a great deal of interest in the Oamaru Breakwater, as he thoxight it would be the means of forming a splendid harbour there. The idea of a land endowment was a very wide question, but he considered that the Government would be perfectly justified in granting an endowment for a work _pf. that kind. As a member of the House of Representatives, the bill providing for increased borrowing powers would. have his - support. He to the fact of the request of the Board*-being an exceptional one, and said if it were not for such being the case, in the event of the wishes "of the Board being acceded to, the various other harbours in the Province would also be putting forward similar claims. The Bluff Harbour required extended wharfage, but that was work which should be x»aid for out of revenue, whereas in the case of Oamaru the revenue would not Dpsufficient, and a loan must be had recourse tSJ Mr. Meek said DistriStraised fully one-half '-of "the-cereal produce of Otago. " The grain would be for., the most part exported, andr. if the shipping facilities at Oamaru were carried the expense of carnage would-be lesselietfrand the b%cldng of railway lines The* wtfrkSjfpr which the loan was required were absolutely necessary. . i '" His rHoNog ; I have no doubt but that Oamaru will outlet for the southern of Canterbury,» arid the action of the Board has my sympathy.'". It is a question of expediency at uie moment if the Board h.ss-not to carry the work on. "It is probable' that the General Arsembly will be opposed to grantiiig-fresh powers. „-• Mr. yxjEWAKD said the Board would-, not have occasion to tae-spholfe £iSO,OOC) at once, but their ts- borrow over *£-K)0*0(J0, 1 -£O that the loan might be quoted bii the Ebatlou .Stock Exchange. His HggsGP. : There have been some stiff Has the weather made any the works ? ~ Mr. 2\ot -the slightest. In addition," or-seven''crafts;-incliulino- a. vessel of 400 tons; have been moored to. the wharf in perfect safety. Mr. Steward: also r&mßrkeu. in proof of the stability Breakwater, that they had.employed on it the largest steam erans in the world, ; except .one. ■ at" Calcutta, It worked with.-p'erfeet srnocilmsas. His V X'sgjiptise the.-dopntation referred to an 'endowment of pastoral land — the Government cannot deal with acrieultuiand? Mr, Steward >_: Of course we referred to pastoral land. C- \ \ . % - - . The Deputatseft then Honor, and withdrew. . ".