CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 66, 14 February 1884, Page 2

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

The first meeting of the above Committee took place last night, in the Borough Council chambers, Lowe Street. Present: — His Worship the Mayor (Captain T. W. Porter), the Chairman of the Cook Council (W. K. Chambers), and Councillors Ferris, Townley, Gannon, Smith, Tucker, and Lewis. The Chairman having briefly stated the objects of the Conference, said that in order to form a basis to proceed upon he had drafted a rough Bill. He did not wish to force any of its contents upon the meeting, but simply offered it with a view of starting upon. Most members occasionally formed their speeches to suit public purposes and without feeling earnestly on the matter; but he could assure them that he was very earnest on this subject. He would now read some figures showing how to raise the necessary sum, and ask for a discussion on the subject. The present revenue from the wharf was nearly £2,000 per annum, which might reasonably be expected to be increased shortly to £3,000. There would be upwards of 100 acres reclaimed by the work, which could be let for at least £25 per acre, for the purpose of erecting sheds, warehouses, and works upon, and which would bring in £2,500 per annum. In clause 4 he had placed the Tauwhareparae Block, which he proposed the Government should be asked to grant as an endowment for 99 years, and it could be cut up and leased for at least £4,400, at 2s. per acre. By clause 5, which provided for special harbor improvement rates, £2,000 more could be obtained. The whole endowment would bring in £18,400, which would be £8,400 over the necessary sum of £lO,OOO that would be required to pay the interest on a loan of £200,000. If his estimates were at all correct, it would do away with any direct taxation. When he went into the figures he was certainly much surprised at the results. He did not think he was too sanguine, and he had certainly taken a very low estimate in all cases, as the values of the endowments would be constantly increasing, and, even if they started with a deficiency at first, it would soon be made up. He had carefully gone into the matter. No doubt there would be many alterations necessary, but it would serve to form a basis upon which to start. Mr. Chambers thanked Captain Porter for the great attention he had given to the subject, as shown by the comprehensive draft bill which he had laid before them. He had been both pleased and surprised at the same and great thanks were due to the Chairman for his bill. He was very glad that such gentlemen existed, who could take matters of the kind up, and put them in such a definite shape. Though he could not agree with all the figures, and had not had time to go into the matter thoroughly, he was very much obliged for the draft, which would give a solid basis to work upon.

Mr. Gannon was much surprised at the amount of thought which the Chairman had given to the subject. The draft bill was a most useful one and would give them something to go upon. Of course all such bills were open to much alteration, and no doubt this would be the case with the present one. But the main question before the committee was the reconstruction of the Board. That, undoubtedly, should be the first consideration of the committee. He certainly would like to hear an expression of opinion as to the expenditure of so large a sum as £200,000. He was of opinion that in the present state of the district it would be entirely inexpedinent to expend such a sum. Before such a sum could be raised and expended the population and trade of the district must be largely increased. At present if we could accommodate the whole British fleet in our harbor it would do us no good, as we could not load two wool ships, and the place must be much more advanced before we could reasonably contemplate such a thing. One-fourth of the proposed sum would be nearer the mark. As to the Government giving them any further endowments, he felt assured that must be in the far future. He conld not see any probability of the Government handing over the Tauwhareparae Block of 44,000 acres at pieseni. Coming back to the reconstruction, and glancing at the matter as set forth in the schedule, he saw that it would give a majority of votes to the Borough.

The Chairman said it would give a majority of one vote. Mr. Gannon—The reconstruction should be dealt with first, and when the report came up they could communicate with the Government and ask that the Board be reconstructed, when the question of improvement could be gone on with, Mr. Ferris could not agree with Mr. Gannon as to the reconstruction of the Board being the first point for consideration (Hear, hear), Mr. Gannon said he was misunderstood! Mr. Ferris disagreed with clause 4 of the draft, as he did not think they were likely to get anything from the Government at present, He certainly agreed with Capt. Porter that some large ana beneficial work should be undertaken, If they went on Sir John Goode’s plan, they might get some assistance from the Government. Mr. Ferris then laid before the committee a lengthened financial scheme, whereby the whole sum might be raised in various ways, including |d. rate in the £. The Government had granted Taranaki 25 per cent, on the Crown lands, and ae had no doubt we could get it. If they went to the Government they must show some good scheme. Competitive schemes should be called for, and the best and cheapest could be taken. Captain Porter mentioned reclaimed land, which would, no doubt, be most valuable. Mr, Chambers thought Mr. Ferris had gone wide of the subject; that the matter of constitution should first engage their attention, and that they should lav down a basis of proceeding to go upon, and take the draft clause by clause. Mr. Townley thought they should proceed on the resolution. The resolution was then read. Mr. Tucker thought it was distinctly understood that the vital question was as to the necessity for the works. Mr. Townley was under the impression that unless there was some necessity for works there wrs no necesssity for reconstruction. When they saw the necessary works which were required, they could discuss the necessity for reconstruction. A new Board would not put sheep on the hills and increase stock, or clear the lane’. Were there no Board at all the County would still be jthe same. The reconstitution of the Board was a matter of insignificance compared with the proposed improvements. The figures just read would no doubt need great modification. He would call the attention of the committee to the improvements, and then the reconstruction could be dealt with. Mr. Chambers could not see how they could go beyond asking Government to reconstitute the Board. Mr. Lewis said there was every reason for discussing the necessity for the works first, as such would be in accordance with the terms of the motion. The matter of improvements was the main question, and the other thing could be dealt with afterwards. Mr. Gannon thought that the main and first thing to be discussed was the reconstruction of the Board. The whole argument at present—that of Mr. Ferris and Captain Porter—was simply whether Sir John Coode’s plan was to be adopted or not. To bring things to a head he would move—“ That the committee recommend to the Borough Council and County Council that the Board be constituted in the following manner : the chairmen of the two Councils, the Collector of Customs, and five elected members.” Mr. Ferris objected to this mode of procedure, and thought the harbor improvements should be first considered. Mr. Chambers agreed with Mr. Gannon, and would second him if he would make three members elective by Government. The Chairman said that after the scheme had been discussed they would better understand the requisite representation for the Board. Mr. Townley wished to know whether Mr. Gannon was opposed to the second clause of the Bill.

Mr, Gannon was distinctly opposed to the clause, If the matter was taken .ause by clause and discussed he would withdraw his motion. Mr. Tucker disagreed with the argument of Mr. Chambers. The present Board must be shown a reason for signing their deathwarrant. After a long discussion tending to show great diversity of opinion, Mr. Cumbers moved, “ That this meeting be adjourned for a fortnight,” as it was evident that members were quite undecided what course to adopt: They were all like a donkey between two trusses of hay. Mr. Gannon strongly objected to an adjournment. They might not be able to meet again for some time. To test the feeling of the meeting he would move the adoption of the preamble of Captain Porter’s draft Bill, which was as follows :— Whereas the Gisborne Harbor Board, constituted under a special Act of the General Assembly, No. 10, 46 Victoria, 1882, is desirous of constructing certain harbor works to afford accommodation generally to shipping of a large tonnage, and to form a harbor of refuge for the East Coast; and whereas the said Board is desirous of borrows ing a sum_ of money not exceeding £200,000 for the construction of such works, be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of New Zealand, and by authority of the same as follows 1. The short title of this Act is “ The Gis* borne Harbor Board and Harbor Construction Empowering Act, 1884.” Mr. Townley would second the motion, as it included all the objects sought. The following clauses were then discussed seriatim, and passed with the alteration and addition of a few words.

2. It shall be lawful from time to time for the said Gisborne Harbor Board to borrow by debentures in the form of the Brd Schedule hereto for a period not exceeding thirty years a sum not exceeding £200,000 at the rate of — per cent, per annum, as the said Board may require for the construction of such works as specified in the Ist schedule hereto. 8. The said debentures together with interest shall be a first charge on the land and hereditaments described in the 2nd schedule hereto, or the lands hereafter vested in the said Board, and the rents thereof and the dues chargeable and receivable by the said lands and harbour works constructed thereon: 4. The necessity for the construction of A Harbour of Refuge for the East Coast being recognised by the Government of the Colony they do in aid thereof grant unto the said Board all that block of land as the same ia described in the 2nd Schedule hereto, such land to be deemed an endowment for all the pnfposes of this Act, and do further grant from the land fund of the County a sum of 25 per cent, on the County. The Board, after the passing of this Act, may make and levy a rate upon all rateable property in the Borough of Gisborne and County of Cook, or Harbor District, not exceeding one half-penny in the £1 of the rateable value of all such property within such district, subject to “ The Ratings Act, 1882:” The proceeds of such rate shall be applied towards payment of the annual chargee to accrue in respect of any loans raised under tae Act or any sinking-fund which may be arranged to be set aside upon the floating of the said loan, and the balance, if any, shall be paid into the Harbor Fund. Provided the Board so desires, it may pay such annual charges out of its ordinary revenue, and in any year which it does so pay it shall not le necessary to levy the said special rate. 6. That in oruer to provide for a wider re* presentation under this Act, 1882, Section 5 of the Gisborne Harbour Board Act is hereby repealed and a new Board constituted as set forth in the Schedule hereto. 7. The provisions of the Harbour Act 1878 and amendment thereof, for the repayment of loans and the remedies of debenture-holders shall be, and be deemed to be incorporated herein and such further provisions of the said Act as shall be applicable for the protection of lenders of money to the Harbour Board. FIRST SCHEDULE. The construction of, at or near the site reported upon by Sir John Coode, a breakwater to afford refuge and accommodation for vessels of large tonnage, and to reclaim and use such portions of the foreshore as may be necessary by the construction of such works. SECOND SCHEDULE. All that parcel of land described in the Schedule to the Gisborne Harbors Act, 1082; and all that parcel of land situated in the Tologa Bay district known as Tauwhareparae Block, containing by admeasurement — acres. THIRD SCHEDULE. Gisborne Harbor Board Loan, 1864, ol £200,000, number debenture for £ * Payable in Issued by the Gisborne Harbor Board under an Act of the General Assembly of New Zealand, entitled “ The Gisborne Harbor Board, Harbor Construction Empowering Act, 1884.” Secured on certain lands and harbor fundi named in the said Act. On presentation of this debenture at ; on and after the day of , 1914, the bearer hereof will be entitled to reoeive £ and, in the meantime, interest at the rate of £ , by half-yearly payments, and interest on the debentures will cease after the day when the payment falls due, unless default be made in payment: Issued under the seal of the Gisborne Hari bor Board. Chairman, Treasurer; FOURTH SCHEDULE. Number of members, nine. Three to be nominated by Government, two (Mayor of Gisborne and Chairman of Cook County Council) by succession, and two to be elected by Borough; and two by Odunty Council: Councillors Chambers, Gannon, and Tucker were then appointed a sub-committee, to meet this morning (Thursday), for the purpose of drawing up a report. The committee then adjourned until Friday fortnight.