The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1875.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 277, 2 June 1875, Page 2

The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1875.

“ We shall sell to no man justice or right: We shall deny to no man justice or right: W» shall defer to no man justice or right.”

Mt Bubgess, the Chief Harbour Master, in his Annual Report to the feorincial Council, thus summarises # the shipping of some of the ports of the Province. Manukauisrepresented with an increasiug traffic. Vessels inwards are stated at 249, representing 33,301 tons ; outwards, 243, tonnage 32.806. Increased wharf accommodation is much required. Kaipara has been particularly active ; 113 vessels, representing 11,415 tons, have entered inwards, and the same

figures nearly, represent the departures during the past year. Hokianga follows suit, owing to its brisk timber trade, and regular steam communication with Manukau. At Wangaroa also, shipping has much increased, 190 vessels having entered, representing a gross burthen of 16,951 tons. Poverty Bay is let down very tenderly ; the report alludes to the increasing trade here, and says that as large ships would load with wool ever year, it has been deemed advisable to appoint a harbormaster and pilot. Captain Burgess concludes his report by saying

“In many of the numerous small harbors and rivers on the coast of this province the navigation is being completely destroyed by the obstructions placed therein ; but as these places are not. large enough or of sufficient importance to be proclaimed ports under the Marine Act, the harbor regulations do not apply. I would, therefore, suggest that the 38th section of the Marine Act be amended, so as to include other obstructions besides trees.”

It is very evident from the foregoing, tlie purport of which we clip from the Southern Cross— the Gazette containing the report not having come to hand—that the report, as said to embrace the various shipping ports in the province, is incomplete, and, as a parliamentary document, is, consequently, valueless. We are not, from I its imperfectness, in a position to draw I a comparison between our own port I and others of a similar capacity in the province. It is highly desirable that reports from outlying portsand district officials, should be furnished to I the Government in time to enable the particular department to which they relate, to lay the whole state of a its affairs before the public. Tfie/e/'is nothing so tantalising, and*unsaus/aetory as piecemeal information. rtfiul we find that some three weddr &t/r the Provincial Council lias beeu\/n Session, two very important Mpoifts, viz., those of Mr. Maminr/i,’ /nd Captain Christ, were not fdmvaJacd to the Government until thrf /ste/mer on Saturday last, the forme/of whidji, we understand, is still uuconjplqted—some of the station returns not having been sent in in time. W e a're not imputing blame to these gentlemen by any means, for, we learn that the delay has been caused by circumstances outside their control; but in the latter case, it will somewhat account for tbe meagre allusion to the port of Poverty Bay in the Chief Harbour Master’s report. We can but do Captain Burgess tbe justice to state that it must be within his official cognizance, that there is not a port under his jurisdiction, more worthy of full quotation, and particularization than that of Poverty Bay ; and we hope, therefore, when Captain Christ’s report shall have arrived, to see af ull account of its shipping data.

There is one circumstance, however, to which Captain Burgess alludes, and which we may accept as embracing this port, namely that “ these “ places are not large enough, or of “ sufficient importance to be proclaimed “ ports under the Marine Act,” and, that, as a consequence, “ the harbor “ regulations do not apply.” Captain Burgess, moreover, does not (as we think ho might) take upon himself the responsibility of advising that these insignificant places should be placed under proper authority, but with a strange inconsistency, merely suggests that “ section 38 of the Marine Act

“be amended.” Now, if section 38, (a clause relating entirely to river obstruction) militated against the operation of the Act in these ports of “insufficient importance,” we could understand Captain Burgess’ remark, but without the counter suggestion that those ports be brought under the Marine Act—and that suggestion acted upon by the Government—we do not see the force of the Harbor Master’s recommendation.

The opportunity, however, is a favorable one in which to ask why the port of Poverty Bay has not been proclaimed under the Marine Act ? The correct answer would perhaps, be painfully illustrative of the small interest the authorities have in our welfare ; since by their inattention to this matter, they give up, annually, a goodly income. But, independent of revenue, it is impossible to regulate the affairs of the harbor unless the regulations, made under the Act, are brought into operation, the chief features ( of which are : Levying port charges ; [the erection of buoys and beacons ; [the prevention of overloading vessels; the regulation of vessels in port, both I with regard to their mooring and discharging ; the regulation of wharves ; granting licences to, and inspection of cargo and passenger boats, and providing a scale of fees for the same ; and many other things laid down specifically by the Marine Act itself. As matters stand just now it is simply impossible for Captain Christ to do justice to the shipping interests of the. port. He is as one having no authority —his appointment as Harbor Master not having yet come to hand—if we except the sole one of piloting vessels in and out of the river; but we trust that the recommendations, which, we understand, he has made for increased wharf accommodation, will be acted on, and that the stigma that tbe port of Poverty Bay is not of “ sufficient “ importance ” to have its maritime affairs properly recognized by the Government, will be at once removed.