OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 34

OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

At the meeting 1 of the Otago Harbour Board on February 27, Mr T. Ross moved that a ' committee be set up to vgp into--.' tfce^ question of making »■ substantial reduction in the dues on; alt* articles and materials imported eolelj, for manufacturing purposes, and also to\ consider the practicability of lessening- thet dues on many low-prioed commodities which might or might not be used fan manufacturing purposes, such committee) to consist of Messrs Rattray, Gow, Duthie % and the mover. • Mr Rattray was in favour of Mr Ross 'a motion, but thought it did not go nearly I far enough. The board should appoint a I committee to reduce its scale of charges on imports by £3000 a year, in view of the present condition of the board's finances'., The board, he believed, would consent tp a, . reduction on imports. The reduction on ! exports had resulted in their being doubled since the date of the reduction. Dunedin was still keeping its share of the distributing trade, and this trade must be encouraged. He hoped Mr Ross would allow i his motion to take precedence of or bo substituted for his own. Mr Ross said that all Mr Rattray tiad said was practically embraced in hia motion. He was of "opinion that the reductions should figure at £5000 instead "of £3000. Mr Rattray preferred'^) frame a motion of his own giving a basis' to atari upon. Mr Allen said the two principal item* to. be considered were pig-aron and coal, and if a substantial reduction was nrnda - in these commodities alone it would reduce the revenue by more than £3000. The charges, of 4s a ton for pig-iron and 3s « tan for coal were enormous. He thought that the committee, if appointed, shouldi bej empowered to deal with any question that might come up. The shipping" was also being penalised heavily. Over £12,000 a year was being made out of it! over and above expenses. This question should also be dealt with. Mr Roes's motion was seconded by Mr Wilkinson and carried. Mr Rattrily then moved— "That a special committee be set up to review the board's scale of dues on imports, with the object of making remissions to the extent] of £3000 p^er annum, or such amount as the> committee may deem advisable, in view ol the present position of the board's finances., L such committee to consist of Messrs Ross, j Dathie, Gk>w, and the mover (Mr Rattray), and to report at the nert meeting.'** This was seconded by Mr Grow and caxw ried. ESTIMATE OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITUHB. The Secretary submitted the following estimates of receipts and expenditure for the year 1908: —

To meet the above expenditure it is recommended that debentures amounting to the sum of £20,000 be issued -under "The Otago Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1907." Sir Allen thought it would, be well if there was something definite known as to the £20,000 to be raised on debentures. Ife would be just as well if they knew where this money was to be expended. Tho board, in view of the facilities made in other parts of the Dominion for great depths for large vessel? to come up, should provide, as early as possible, a greater depth of water at the Heads than they had, and there was another place at Deborah Bay where the water was very shallow indeed. Then some dredgihg ' wanted doing at the wharves also! Ho . would move that the estimates be ' referred to the Wor^ks Committee with a view 'to getting- details as to how this £20,000. was '_| to-be expended. • "! Mr Duthie seconded the motion, which ; was carried without further discussion. <

Estimated ordinary revenue .. .. £75,000) Credit balance on January 1, 1908 ..' 5,929 Total estimated revenue! .. .. £80,929

Estimated expenditure— Interest and charges ..' £37,000 Plant renewal fund 4,0001 Marine insurance fund ..< .. .. 800 Dock Trust 1,000 Departmental — Office and incidentals, pilot service, towing service, working cranes, receiving and delivery .. 15,650 Maintenance, wharves and sheds .. 800 Dredging .. 20,003 Large repairs Victoria wharf .. . 1,000 £79,060 Estimated credit balance end of 1908. . 97d

orks to be charged to loan — Wharf, Kitchener street .. ... £5,000 Storm water drain, Stuart street .. 3,500 Shedding, Jetty street 3,000 Street formation, 1.500 Electric cranes •• .. . . .. .. 1,800 Electric lighting 300 Mole light' _. . 1,000 Channel protection works, Qtago Heads . . . 2,000 £18,100