PATEA HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 958, 13 November 1882, Page 2

PATEA HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.

Mr Sherwood’s Scheme—Other . .Proposals. A second conference of ratepayers, convened by advertisement was bold in the Borough Council Chamber on Friday afternoon ; being an adjournment of the conference hold a month ago, on tho necessity and resources for harbor improvements. There wore present Messrs R. Horner (in tho chair), G. F. Sherwood (Mayor), D. Coutts, W. Dale, R. C. Tennent, J. Gibs on , J. Milroy, R. A. Adams, T. Haywood, Barker, W. Co worn, E. O; Horner, Eyton, G. D, Hamerton, Bright, W. Williams, J. Richards, Finnerty, Mahony, W. Brown, H. A. Arthur, T. Haycock, Mace, &c.

The Chairman ; We are met to consider an important question, and I hope we shall agree to drop all personalities and go into business. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor ; I cordially endorse that remark. This matter of the harbor is of such vital importance to us, that all personal feeling should be allowed to give place to a desire to act together for prosecuting further harbor works in this place. It should bo worth while at this period to look back and see what has been done, so that we may be able from that to form an opinion as to whether we shall be justified in taking oven extraordinary means for prosecuting the work we have in hand. The total endowment in land which the Harbor Board has received from first to last has been about 5,000 acres ; and if that land had been sold by the Government under most favorable circumstances, it might have realised about £7,000. So that it may be said the Government’s investment in this work lias been to that extent only. With that endowment, a sum close on £20,000 has been raised and expended ; and a Harbor Board has been constituted, with a present revenue of £1,500.a year. Fully £30,000 has been saved in freights by reductions since tho harbor works were carried out ; and it is the Patea district most certainly that has received the benefit of that enormous saving. Those , works have also had the effect of bringing the railway to the port, and the establishment of extensive works in connection with the river. Add to this the enormously increased value of all the land adjacent to the r jver, and the considerable advance in value of land remote from tho river, and I think yon will agree it is almost impossible to over-estimate, the benefit of the small piece of work that has already been done at the heads. Taking that view of the question, I think we are fully justified; as a duty to ourselves, in using every reasonable effort that is likely to be successful in prosecuting that work still farther. What we have now to do is to look to the future ; and I have been bold enough to bring before you to-day, not a scheme of my own for works at the heads, but what I conceive to be a means of raising the necessary funds for carrying out a portion of the work on Sir John Goode’s lines. Having gone very carefully through his estimates, having also the benefit of experience, and seeing that the works as constructed here are very much cheaper than what lie had originally proposed, I find briefly that in order to complete tho work to hia first linos,, a sum of £77,178 is necessary. That is the amount wc havo to keep in view, on tho most economical terms, as necessary to-carry out his plans.' Tho work carried so far, ho has told us, will give 16 foot of water on tho bar, equal to 12 feet depth, allowing 4 feet for “ send ” of the sea. This depth would bo equal to a first-class intercolonial harbor for this coast. As to the means of doing this work, I propose in tho first, place that tho Borough Council shall take the initiatory steps, I don’t want to interfere with the Harbor Board or the harbor district. If you agree that it is tho borough which more immediately benefits, and that tho existence of the borough depends on tho improvement of tho harbor, then I must ask you to follow that up and say it is the people in tho borough who should undertake tho first work. Fortunately wo havo under tho Municipal Corporations Act powers to undertake such works ns these with tho consent of the Harbor Board. It would bo the duty of tlio Borough Council to raise tho money, and with the consontjof tho Harbor expend it. I do not think tho Board would withhold that consent. The first piece of work proposed is a gnido pier, which would run out on the west side parallel with the wall already constructed, and overlapping tho end about 200 foot ; and if 100 feet more wore added to tbo present wall on the eastern side, thou tho proposed guide pior would overlap it 100 foot. If (ho outer breakwater on tho west side wore commenced, tho “root” of that large work would bo most expensive, llio work having to bo of groat strength to withstand the break of tho sea nt the angle shown on (ho plan. It was found by experience as wo progressed seaward that tho uooossily for an extensive “ root ” on tho eastern side was entirely done away with, because (ho soa throw up a vast mass of shinglo where tho root would havo to bo, and so did the protective work which art. had designed, and did it more effectually. 'There was consequently an enormous, saving on tho estimate for the construction of that piece of woik alone. I think wo may safely assume that tho root on

this side might be dispensed with in the same way. The direction of the guide pier, parallel with the present wall on the plan, would in all probability hixve the same effect following it as that on (he other side—that is to say as the work progressed seaward the embankment would fill up by the action of the sea behind it, and so dispense in like manner with an expensive root on this side. It is from this expectation, and from the material being procured so much easier, and from the price being so much less than Sir J. Goode’s estimates, that wo are able to say this work can bo carried out now, to the first points of termination shown on his plan, for a total of £77,178. Then so far the borough could undertake the guide pier on the western side. I may say that Sir J. Goode, in a private communication to our late engineer, quite approved of our proceeding with the guide pier ; provided we had not funds in hand to go on with the root and breakwater, shown as starting from the west bead. Ho slated it would have a good effect, and ho said the whole work had been done well and remarkably cheaply. The question then arises : How are we to get this money? The first part of'the work we have to deal with must precede legislation. The extension of the eastern pier has already been authorised by an order in Gouncil. The plans and specifications for that extension are here. As to the proposed guide-pier on the west side, I am sorry to say that the Government at the time would not give an order in Gouncil for that work ; so that it would have to be again applied for. [Letter of September, 1880, read slating that the Marine Engineer to the Government could' not recommend the proposed work on the west side being begun, until the works then in progress on the east side were completed,J Seeing that work referred to has been completed as far as our means would allow, I think there will be no difficulty now in getting the required Order for this guide pier. As to providing the means for carrying out the work by the Borough Council, it is not to be supposed that work of this description can be carried out without the general public being called on to contribute. Hitherto the question of taxation lias not been touched. What has been done has been done absolutely without cost to the people of the Patea town and district ; and I think wo may now fairly see what we can do to help ourselves, and then see how we can ease ourselves from having too heavy a rate on our shoulders. My proposal is that we should have a shilling rate on the borough ; and in order to relieve that and make it only a collateral security, I propose to acquire an estate within the borough. You will see from the map that you cannot extend the borough to the right or to the left, on account of its situation near the sea and the small area of level ground on this side of the river ; so that all the land within the available area must become exceedingly valuable at no distant date. The land 1 propose to acquire is known as Rhodes’s estate, an extensive flat on the east side of the town, some of it sandy, some rather swampy, though easilj 7 drained and most of it very good. I have had a plan drawn showing that land cut up into streets, sections, sub-sections, and paddocks. Nothing , is more easily reclaimed than sandy land, and the very worst of it can be made valuable at no remote period. I believe there is a simple way of acquiring that land. The late Mr B. Rhodes so left that property that the trustees could only lease it for 21 years ; but the trustees have, I believe, expressed themselves to the effect that they would sell this land if they had power to do so. Now the Borough Council have power to lake land for a variety of purposes, under the Act ; and it would be necessary and desirable to arrange with the trustees to take tins land at a fixed price, and then go through the form of the Act, and so make it borough property. ■ The revenue to bo derived from that land will be almost sufficient in itself to provide the funds for carrying out this work at the heads. Although you would have a shilling rate for this purpose, I don’t believe more than threepence would bo required. Wo have first to create the means and then to use them. Here is a scheme that can be carried out,'if we can agree upon it, and then bo united in our action. With energy and determination, that piece of work can bo put through, and you will derive a vast amount of benefit from it. In connection with this estate, I havo all the figures ; but seeing that notes arc being taken, I prefer that the figures should not bo made public at Ibis stage. I will point out why tins estate would bo more valuable to tho Borough Council, with its largo powers, than in tho hands of a private speculator. Tho old Town Board bad power to lease for only 21 years, whereas the Borough Council can lease for 60 years. That makes a great difference in dealing with the land. This land can bo kept separate from tho securities pledged for tho .£IO,OOO borough loan, because the debentures, when issued, can specify the actual security without including other land or revenues to bo afterwards acquired. Briefly, that is tho proposal, and you will see there is no departure from Sir ,1. Goode’s lines, except the extension of tho guide pier 200 loot ; and 1 have no doubt bo will sanction that when asked by the Borough Counoil. With regard to the present wall on tho oast side, X know there is a strong fooling against carrying that work further, but experience showed that while that work was in piogress, tho constant agitation scorned to make a more open channel, and I havo no doubt tho scour would bo improved if that work wore resumed. In fact wo found that tho effect was most beneficial, for no matter how heavily the sea broke, not one of tho stones in that work shifted, although some would not weigh more than 100 lbs. I find our late engineer, Mr Thomson, recommends us to

go on with the rubble work, even if we'eannot at present go on with the concrete superstructure. There is enough rubble on the beach to construct 100 feet of the rubble work,'which with the concrete capping would now cost about £3,000. Suppose you' undertake a contract for 100 feet, wo could invite tenders for that work in a very short time. I think from experience that the best course would be to advertise tenders for the cartage of rubble, and to deposit it on tbe side of the wall. Two men with trucks would be ample to deposit that rubble at every tide, and so continue the. work. With the assistance of a consulting engineer to visit occasionally, that work could be carried on remarkably cheaply, and with very good effect, I would indicate the course the Harbor Board should take to do this work. 1 find their revenue is pretty well absorbed, leaving them roughly about £250 ; or say £2OO a year, after paying interest on the present lean of £IO,OOO and other contingencies. I would advise them to arrange for the repayment of that loan, and put another loan on the market at 6 per cent., thus saving £IOO a year; also carrying out this work which is authorised by the order in Council. That work would take about 12 months, and the proposed guide pier on this side would take about 18 months ; and by that time we should be in a position to appeal to tbe harbor district, showing the country settlers what we bad done, and asking them to help us to complete the work. If the Legislature can be shown that such results have been already obtained with so little assistance, and that the Patea people have undertaken themselves to cany on the work, I think that we shall have a powerful lever in the House for getting a further endowment. As to what extent that endowment should be, a great deal would depend cn the situation and value of tbe land. I believe there is land on the Patea river which can be got. I also think the Government might be asked to undertake the snagging of the river, as the}' have done in other places. Careful enquiries have been made by the Government as to that work, and I think a comparatively moderate expense would make a road to their land, and so increase it in value. The next thing they might be asked to do, while this railway work is in progress, is to give a railway siding from the bluff to connect with the eastern pier, because after that I believe we may get stonc along the railway line sufficient to complete tin's rubble work, at a very moderate freight to be arranged with the Government. There are two matters in connection with Sir J. Goode’s plan which we may take into consideration now. The railway is crossing a mud flat opposite the Cattle Wharf, and ther# is a considerable area outside the railway line and also on the inner side. Now a contractor, who knows what he is about, told me he would be willing to dredge out that flat, and hold the land as security. I have noticed elsewhere in the O’d Country thatthey make docks of such places, and also utilise the area for scouring out the river. In the Medway, for instance, the dock gate lifts with the tide, and as the tide recedes the gate closes.; then when the tide is at the lowest, a rush of water is sent out, and has a powerful effect in assisting to keep the bar clear in all weathers. There is another piece of reclamation work above the bridge. That sharp elbow in tbe river forms quite a dam, by preventing the tide from flowing up and down freely. If that elbow were cut through, the land reclaimable on this side would far more than repay the cost of the work. There are the proposals, and I hope you will understand the spirit which actuates me in making them. 1 think you will agree that something must be done, and it is time that this something should take shape and form. Althoughjwe have got town improvements, and although they are permanent, yet they are all subject to this question of improving the river. Each time the river is'silted up, there is a loss of property and business. Having seen, that so much can be done with a little when the difficulties at the outset were far greater, I think we should be wanting in our duty if we did not join in trying to carry out some plan. (Applause.) • Mr Cowern : What would be the probable rental to be derived from that land ?

The Mayor : The figures are here, but I do not think it would bo advisable to put them forth.

Mr Cowern asked whether a rate would bo necessary if Rhodes’s properly were acquired and the sections well leased ? The Mayor ; No ; I think we should want a rate"as a collateral security. After this guide pier and the eastern extension arc carried out, we could appeal to the ratepayers of the whole harbor district, and ask them to assist us in carrying out the balance of the work.

Mr Coworn : Do you imagine that will provide the £77,000 required ? The Mayor ; No ; I propose to provide out of the Borough Council £7,000, and from the Harbour Board £3,000 ; and the balance then required Avould bo about £07,000. Mr Tonnout : I think the scheme is in some points a very good one, and I give tho Mayor credit for all that ho stated as to his object in bringing it forward. But there nro certain things that weigh against it. Tho first question is, what is tho expected cost of the proposed guide pier ? Tho Mayor : £5,000, and with tho extension £7,000. MrTonnent : I for one would cheerfully agree to tho proposed rate of la in tho borough, and that ia the most feasible part of tho scheme. But I don’t aeo clearly what benefit tho borough would derive by acquiring Rhodes’s property. Tho Mayor stated that it was impossible to extend tho borough without this land. But I would like to ask whether you really fancy that many people would purchase sections on tho other sido of those sand hills, and give

large prices for them. Whatever may be the jealousies of people, there can be no doubt that the borough will have to be extended on the other side of the river, taking in that flat. That is the place where large warehouses and other things will be built, if this is to be a large town ; and it will be to tbe benefit of the borough to take in that land on some future occasion. Therefore I should like to ask why this scheme of purchasing that land should be mixed up with harbor matters, and whether it is the opinion of most of tbe business men that it would be desirable? I quite agree that if we don’t take this matter in hand, we can’t expect anybody else to do it ; that it is a question of life or death for the borough ; and that the people should say they are willing to pay a good rate for starting these harbor works again. This guide pier might improve the river so materially, that it might not be necessary to go on with the work. There would be a large sum to borrow for purchasing the land, and there is also the expense of cutting it up. The trustees of that land know perfectly well what the market value would be. They would not sell it under its value ; and even if bought and leased out, there is a question whether it would pay more than • £1 an acre. It would be simply valuable as paddocks for'the town. I don’t make these remarks in any hostility to the scheme, for I feel that our prosperity and my own depend a great deal upon the works of this harbor.

The Mayor; If that land could be bought and laid out without any cost to the speculator, it would be a good speculation. The Borough Council could do what a private purchaser could not: the Council could legally declare these, to be streets, and so give a legal title to sections, whereas a private owner must comply with the Act by forming, gravelling, kerbing, and sewering each street before he could compel the Council to take it over. He could make no use of the land until after a large expenditure on it, and the cost would far exceed the value. There is - some of the best land in the district on that flat. I believe that if the.Council took this land and leased it in sections, there would be a margin of profit sufficient to preclude the necessity of levjing. this rate, although it would have to be struck as a collateral security.

Mr Finnerty : I understand your argument to bo that the effect of tbe river improvements would materially enhance the value of that land, and bytliat time tbe Council would have the unearned increment, supposing they leased some sections at first, and retained others till they acquired an increased value as the effect of the harbor works.

[We are compelled to hold over the remainder of our report.]