Opunake Wharf

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 64, 12 February 1895, Page 2

Opunake Wharf

An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in the Opunake Wharf Company was held on Monday in the Foresters' Hall. Mr R. Lambie, Chairman of Directors, presided. The Chairman stated the object for which the meeting had been convened, and called on the secretary to read the following report: Your directors beg to submit the following report of affairs since the collapse of the jetty in April. A meeting of directors was called a few days after, when it was resolved to call tenders for saving the wreckage. A deputation was also appointed to proceed to Wellington to interview the Government. The deputation consisted of Messrs Lambie, Stevenson, and Middleton, and the result of their journey had been made known to you by the press. Ever since the return of the deputation the Company had been in communication with the Government, but the matter had hung fire, owing to no definite reply being received from the Government until last December, when the Government wrote declining to assist the Cojtt;. pany. The report concluded by stating that the meeting had been called together that day to say what was to be done.

The Chairman said the collapse waa due entirely to faulty engineering, and for that the Government was clearly responsible, as it had taken sole charge of the prepartion of the plans and erection of the jetty, bat now it disclaimed any responsibility. It therefore rested with the shareholders to take action, and he did not see anything for it but to put their hands in their pockets and re-instate it. The Minister of Lands had suggested a Harbour Board or some local body taking it over, when the Government would consider the granting of 4 a loan on the security of a rate. The queetion was—Would the people be agreeable to make themselves liable for a harbour rate for that purpose? Personally, he thought the only feasible plan was for the present shareholders to subscribe further shares and ask others to help to rebuild it. They had two plans and reports —one by Mr J. R. Stewart, C.E., and the other a conjoint report by Messrs Strachon, C.S., and Robinson, R.S. The report of the latter gentlemen estimates that it could be replaced with iron piles, and a landing stage added, for £IOOO. He (the chairman) therefore considered that if the necessary capital were subscribed, and the jetty reerected, every pound of shareholders' money in it was worth 20s. A long discussion on various plana then took place, covering various suggestions. Mr Kirkwood thought the best thing to do was to arrange for a canvass of the settlers personally, when, he felt sure, the necessary capital would be subscribed, as they all recognised the great benefit the jetty would be to the district.

Mr McKeown thought there was only one way out of the difficulty, and that was to do it themselves-. The first £7OO given by the Government was a sop, and Sir Harry Atkinson was returned. The Government then gave a further £SOO, and they sent them another supporter. The last time the jetty was standing, when the election was on, they had paid no at* tention to the Government candidate, and he really could not see why they should expect anything from them. The Government would apparently only pay them for their votes. Mr Newman said that so long as plans were submitted showing that the jetty could be re-erected and prove * permanency, he did not think there would be "much difficulty in raising the £IOOO in the district, and he would therefore move, " That, in the opinion of the shareholders, it is advisable that the jetty should be rebuilt ; that a canvass be made of the district to see what further shares will be subscribed ; that any share money received be placed in a separate account, and if sufficient be not subscribed, the money received be refunded to applicants ; and that before the work be started the plans for the same be laid before a general meeting for the approval of the members." Mr McHardy seconded. A further discussion here ensued, and various amendments were suggested,, but eventually lapsed or were withdrawn.

The motion was then put and carried unanimously. • Mr Connaglen suggested that a valuation of the district should be obtained and an allocation made; so that it should be assessed according to valuation of property and distance from the jetty what each settler should take in shares.

It was generally conceded that this would be the fairest method, but as there was no power to enforce compliance with such a scheme it was eventually decided to leave it for each settler to voluntarily subscribe according to his means and inclination. Mr McKeown asked for an expression of opinion from the directors as to what action they would likely take in the event of the necessary capital not being subscribed, and if they would be prepared to hand it over that a cattle wharf alone might be erected. The Chairman replied that nothing could be done without first submitting it to the shareholders. He, for one, however, was not going to be dispirited, and he was determined that it should be rebuilt, and when it was opened again he fully anticipated it would be opened with a cattle rata attached to it.

The method of canvassing was then discussed, and Mr S. Prosser moved, '• That it be left to the directors to appoint a sub-committee and draw up a plan of canvassing." Seconded by Mr Kirkwood and carried. Tho meeting then terminated.