New Plymouth Harbor Board.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 73, 15 March 1895, Page 2

New Plymouth Harbor Board.

(Our own Correspondent.) The ordinary monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board was held on Tuesday at 11 o’clock, the following members being present: — Messrs Maxwell (chairman), Block, McLean, Ealfe, Smith, Sarteu, and Shearer. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. [RalfeBluck.] HAULAGE CHARGES. The Minister of Railways wrote saying he could not see his way to alter the decision with regard to freight on the breakwater line. The Chairman said the matter had been discussed at the meeting of the Works Committee on Monday, and it was decided to send a wire to the Premier, who was expected at Wanganui on the 14th instant, asking him if he could see his way to come on to New Plymouth to discuss the haulage question and other matters of importance, such as damage to the breakwater.

Mr McLean said that in case no reply was received he would move, That the chairman and Mr Smith interview Mr Seddon at Wanganui. Mr Sarten seconded. Mr Smith thought it would be much better if the Premier could come to New Plymouth and see for himself what was wanted. correspondence. The Northern S.S. Company wrote, pointing out the urgency of having the sand dredged away from the cattle wharf, and pointing out that as the Board received Is 6d per head wharfage on ail big cattle shipped something should be done. Mr Sarten said that there was a small bank at the place indicated, and that it should be removed. The Chairman stated that the encroachment was so great that it could not be effectually dealt with by the present appliances. It might be managed with the big crane, but that was now required to assist in the repairs to the breakwater. It was resolved, That the secretary communicate with the Northern S.S. Company, and say that the Board will do all in its power to have the matter attended to.

Mr G. Tisch wrote, asking the Board’s permission to erect a promenade pier with band rotunda, 100 yards into the sea, starting from the bridge crossing the railway near the Beach Hotel.

It was decided that the requisite permission be granted provided no expense was attached to the Board. Messrs Bayly and George wrote, asking permission to remove 1000 yards of stone from the beach at 8d per yard. The Chairman stated that the usual price charged by the Board was Is per yard. Mr Smith said that it was for the good of the country that good roads should be provided, and as the present application was for a road near New Plymouth to metal miles of road he favored the concession. Mr McLean said that the contractors based their calculation at Is per yard, and they ought not in fairness to others to receive the concession. It would benefit the contractors but not the Road Board.

Mr Ralfe moved, That the application be granted subject to the usual price, viz., Is per yard. Mr Bluck seconded.

Mr Smith moved as an amendment, That as the application was for 1000 yards the price be 6d per yard. He said the Borough Council could go and remove stone and gravel in any quantity for £lO per annum, and be thought the same concession could be extended to private individuals. Mr Shearer seconded. The Chairman said that the Board had a fixed price, and be questioned the advisability of departing from it, but considered that as they were on the subject it would be as well to deal with it, as Is per yard was too high for large quantities. The amendment was put and lost, and the resolution carried, Mr Bluck giving notice of motion to amend the by-law on the matter and charge a scale fee in future, local bodies to have the right to remove stone or gravel at 3d per yard. The Waimate Road Board wrote, asking the Board to co-operate with them and other Boards and Councils in citing a case for the District Court with reference to rating of native lands as provided for by section 17, Eating Act Amendment Act, 1894. Mr McLean thought if all local bodies contributed towards the cost of bringing the matter before the Court it would not amount to much, and the advantage probably gained would be greas. The trouble was that if judgment were obtained against the native no further action could be taken, as he had no land. It was all in the hands of the Native Trustee. Mr Smith said that was one defect in the law, and he thought the Native Trustee should be made liable to pay rates.

Mr McLean moved. That the Board co operate with other bodies providing all the local bodies mentioned in the letter contribute their share of the expenses. Carried, foreman’s report. The foreman reported that the work done during February was as follows: 384 cubic yards of stone had been quarried and tipped over the breakwater, and three blocks had been made. (A subsequent report was also received stating that a section of the breakwater near the slmre end had been seriously damaged during the late gale that was on Saturday night, and that in consequence the crane could not be got down to the breakwater to attend to the stone tipping. The Chairman said instructions had been given to attend to the matter at once as it was of a serious nature.

The harbormaster’s report was also received.

SAND. The Chairman said they should now deal with the question of sand, as large quantities had travelled round the end of the breakwater and the position was getting serious. The Board had also the question of repairing the breach and dredging the sand to chip* aider.

Mr Sarten thought that the dredge should be kept at work, and that a committee of the members living nearest the town should be appointed to see that the dredging was properly attended to, and moved that Messrs Ward, Smith, and Bluok be the committee.

The Chairman said he had looked up the last Government report on the survey, and found that during the six months there had been an increase of 14,500 yards of sand, but the actual increase during the last half year could not be ascertained until the next survey was made. He thought Mr Sarten’s name might be added to the committee.

It was finally decided that the committee as by Mr Sarten should be appointed, Mr Sarten agreeing to act with them. Mr Smith thought another application should be made to the Timaru Harbor Board to rent their dredge and to obtain the use of barges. The Chairman said the dredge mentioned would be able to remove the sand. The suggestion of Mr Smith was a good one, and ho thought it might be carried into effect. It was true the Board had no funds, but unless something was done at once three months would probably see the harbor closed as far as working at the wharf was concerned.

Mr Smith was very pleased the chairman had spoken so folly, as it was as well the public should know the real state of affairs.

Mr Sarteu moved, That the secretary write the Timaru Harbor Board asking for full particulars concerning the cost of working the dredge. Mr Ralfe seconded. Carried. FINANCES. Mr Sarten said that he thought all passengers landed at or leaving the breakwater should be charged la each, so as to help the funds. The Chairman said that there was an average of 200 passengers passing over the breakwater every week, and that would bring in £lO weekly, which would certainly augment the funds, but he thought it would be difficult to collect.

Mr Sarten said that probably an arrangement could be made with the agents ti the ghipping companie to collect. Mr Smith considered it would make the port very unpopular. It would be unfair to make a charge on the travelling public who did not intend landing at New Plymouth, but who only wanted to have a run ashore to stretch their legs and see the country, but still, taking Wellington as an example, the Board there charged every vehicle 6d every time they went on the wharf. The Chairman said money must be raised to meet the expenditure or all works would have to be stopped. The charge had been made before when the surf-boats were -used.

Mr McLean said he would sooner pay Is to use the breakwater than go out in the surf-boats.

Mr Biuck thought it would be better to make a general charge of. say, 2d per head for all who went on to the breakwater.

Mr Smith: The public of Taranaki already pay harbor rates, and also paid heavily for haulage charge on the breakwater line, and it would be unfair to make a general charge to the public as was suggested by the previous speaker. Mr Black said the late Board had left the present Board without funds, and funds would have to be raised, and yet no sooner is a plan mentioned than Mr Smith puts his foot on it. It was finally decided that Mr Sarten should give notice of motion to amend the by-laws to allow’ the charge to be made. RAILWAY CHARGES. The Chairman brought up the question of getting the haulage charges reduced, and said if the Minister of Railways would not move the Board should take the matter into its own hands, and have the lines removed from the wharf. It was no good beating about the bush, as it was in the interests of the ratepayers that a '"’definite plan of action should be taken. The reduction, if conceded, would make a difference in favor of the port as far down the line as thirty miles.

Mr Smith said it was all very well for the chairman to talk in that way, but the Board should remember that the Government had voted sums ofmoney for dredging the harbor, and otherwise assisted the Board. He agreed that the Government were doing wrong in not granting the concession sought for, but the Board should not try and force them. Mr Sarten thought that the matter might be deferred until after the Premier had been interviewed. Mr Smith asked what were the terms of agreement with tbs Government.

The Chairman read the terms, and said he had no doubt the lines could be shifted, and instanced the u case at Ouehunga, where the ratepayers won the day. Mr Black asked whether it would interfere with the convenience of the traffic.

The Chairman thought not, and said further that if the authorities were “taken by the wool” in the manner suggested, they would meet the Board. If not, there were plenty of vehicles to assist shippers. Mr Smith : And you will find that the County Council will clap a tollgate on the road to catch the traffic. Mr McLeai) said he did not view the proposal in the light of a threat to the Government.

Mr Smith wanted to know how the proposal was going to increase the

Board’s revenue. The only gainers would be tho people down Opunake way, and probably a few shippers. Instead of increasing the iwwane, it would decrease it, as the Board would have to erect sheds, &c. The Chairman : I think, Mr Smith, you are going beyond the bounds of fairness. It will not only benefit the people down Opunake way, but ths district generally, and the Board. Aa we are now debarred from making any extra Charges, owing to the haulage charges, hut to bring the matter to a climax, I will move, “ That unless the Department agree to make a reduction on the haulage on the breakwater line, the rails be lifted from the wharf.”

Mr Smith said if that were carried, he would ask that his name be taken off the committee appointed to wait on the Premier. The matter then dropped. FAIR RENT BILL. This Bill was.laid on the table, and it was decided to inform the Commissioner that the Board was not disposed to make any recommendation. Mr Smith said the reason the Bill had been introduced was that every year Parliament was swamped with petitions for a reduction of rent. The Minister therefore introduced the Bill, and was obtaining information from all local bodies as to its merits. AUDITING ACCOUNTS. In answer to a question, the Secretary said that if the auditor went through each account the charge would be much higher, but as the accounts were kept it facilitated matters.

Mr Ralfe still thought the charges were outrageous, and that there was a big difference between the chargee made for County Councils and the Harbor Board. The Secretary stated that the auditor had a scale of charges, and that there was a difference between the Harbor Board and County Council, a» the Harbor Board had four counties against one. The report of the Works Committee was read.

The Chairman said some cement would have, to be procured to repair the breach made in the breakwater recently. Mr Ralfe wanted to know where the money was to come from to pay for the cement. The Chairman replied that he did not know. Mr McLean said he had inspected the breakwater, and he failed to see where the work card's in for the money that had been expended. The Board had certainly not received an equivalent. The Chairman said that men were employed in repairs and cleaning machinery, and all that could bo shown for the last month’s work were a few blocks and so many hundreds of yards of stone tipped over the breakwater. The men may hove been busy, and if they had, then there had been mismanagement somewhere. The same thing had been going on ’for years, and it would have to be taken in hand.

Mr Biuck wanted to know if anything could be done by contract. He referred to the making of blocks, and, as regards the dredging, that might be paid for by results. The Chairman said that if the blocks were made by contract, what would b'e done with the men, who would be idle. True, they might be employed in putting a little more polish on the machinery. Mr Smith thought that from the remarks the foreman either did his work well, or did not do his duty. In his opinion, he thought Mr Gilbaoks was rather rough on the men, and got full value out of them. Mr McLean said ho did not want to spring a mine on the men or the xoreman, but unless there was an improvement he wished them to understand that some drastic measures would have to be taken.

Calculations were then gone into as to the cost of the work done lait month, and it was considered that the results were ridiculously inadequate. Mr Smith did not consider that ft proper estimate could be made. Mr McLean said that personally he had no interest in the breakwater. He looked on it as a river coming down and washing away two acres of his land every year. But h 6 recognised that it was the life of New Plymouth, and if they wanted to keep it open they must reduce the expenditure that is being spent for no earthly use^ Mr Smith said the old Board had gone fully into the matter. The Chairman: And this Board will also go into the matter and see if some remedy cannot be effected. £ Mr McLean said he did not wish to assert that the men were idling away the time of the Board. What he wanted to impress was that the Board could not afford to have the money spent in “ tiddly-winking ” jobs. The Chairman said he had no doubt the discussion would be published, and would have a good effect. If not, the Board must take into consideration the advisability of making a clean sweep and starting afresh. Mr Smith said that so long as the alterations were for the good of the district and the Board, he would give them his support, but when they went into the matter and supervised the work done, they would see what the men were really doing. The report was adopted. COLLECTING RATES.

This question was brought up by Mr Ralfe, who said he had gone into the returns that had been prepared of the expenditure and receipts, and his opinion was that the only alteration that could be made was in collecting the rates. The amount paid for collecting the rates was per cent., and it was too high. He had made some calculations, and he thought the collecting could be done by the local bodies in the different counties, and he moved “ That the secretary write to

the &&orcofc 1 cal bodies in li e barboar- fating dist ict, and .vk on what terms they would undertake the work.” ■ The Chairman said the question of dividing the harbour rating district into ridings would be considered shortly, and be thought the maiti-r might be allowed to stand ov f r till then. Mr Ralfe replied that be did not think it would affect bis motion. He merely wanted to get an estimate. Mr McLean seconded the motion, ' "Which was carried. TRAVELLING EXPENSES. The resolution passed at the last meeting, with reference to travelling expenses and 10s per day was rescinded, on the motion of the Chair- ; man, seconded by Mr Bluck. NOTICE OP MOTION. The Chairman gave notice of motion that the harbor rating district be divided into six wards, the division to be fixed on the basis of the new valuation. . ACCOUNTS. ’ Accounts, amounting to £205 6s 4d, were passed for payment. FINANCIAL.' Statement of accounts up to date for Board meeting on 12th March, 1895: —Liabilities: Overdraft at Bank, £.892 18s 8d; accounts overdue from last meeting, £BS 11s sd; present payments, £9B 16s Id ; cargo of coal (28 tons, at 17s per ton), £26 12s ; wages to pay on 22ud March, say, £9O; total, £698 18s 2d. Assets: Bents coming in, £55 ; W. J. Honeyfield, £SO; wharfage, £256 6s 2d; Northern S.S. Co., £3O 6s 9d ; Union 8.8. Co., £BB Is sd; postal subsidy Ibto Bfct March, £HT; total, £444 14s ; 4d. ' Deficit, £248 18s lOd.