GREYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 12

GREYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD.

(Fhom Our Own CorrespondbhtJ GREYMOUTH, March 4. The State Coal Mines Department has informed the Greymouth Harbour Board that the amount of coal cold to the publio last year was 93,358 tons, and on this they will pay the board royalty amounting to £2333, for which a vote will be put on the Estimates next session. The department, j however, refuses to pay the special rate of 3d per ton on coal, and the board decided to make a request for its payment later on. A letter was received from the Blackball Company objecting to payment of the speoil rate on coal on account of the State mine not paying the same. This severely hndicapped the company in competing with the State. The rate should be either remitted or the State mine made to pay. It was resolved that the company be informed that the board is endeavouring to get the State to pay the rate, but must insist on the payment of it by the Blackball Company, as it is fixed by the Legislature in order to facilitate the construction of docks. The Harbour Board, in addiion to ordering an up-to-date dredger to cost £31,000, has imported three up-to-date cranes. The work is now under way, but not much progress will be made till the arrival of the new dredge. The board intends reserving, under the Publio Works Act, a large area of land, and yesterday agreed to pay the Greymouth Borough £2200, $lear of all costs, foe » municipal reserve taken.