The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1884. THE LATE CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 68, 16 February 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1884. THE LATE CONFERENCE.

It is a subject for much congratulation that the Conference held on Wednesday evening last to deal with the question of harbor-works, &e., was one of a most agreeable character, in spite of the predictions to the contrary. Members of the County Council, as well as those of the Harbor Board, were fully impressed with the importance of the subject, and no time was wasted in unnecessary discussion. Certainly, the business was “ cut and dried,” as it were, by his Worship the Mayor, who had framed a most carefully-compiled Bill, for the consideration of the Conference, and the thanks of the community are due to that gentleman, as Mr. Chambers remarked, for the great attention he had given to the subject. His Worship’s remarks gave evidence of his having carefully studied the subject, as the following statement will prove : — “ 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 a 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 £13,400. which would be £3,400 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 eases, 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.” The amount of the loan specified may seem large ; but it must be borne in mind that the public bodies of this County have something more than the present requirements of this district to provide for—that the fact that ‘‘we could not load two woolships” at present should not deter them from adopting the scheme proposed. It must be conceded that the construction of a substantial breakwater in Gisborne Harbor would, ere long, have a most beneficial effect on the commercial interests of this vast district, and it should be borne in mind that works of the kind are not undertaken by wise men for present requirements, but with the object of providing for the vastly-increasing trade of the future. It would be folly to undertake the construction of a trumpery affair for the protection of shipping—especially when, at the present time, the opportunity of acquiring land endowments is within reach — provided that the public bodies of the district act unitedly in the matter. The old saw that “ delays are dangerous ” is very applicable in this case ; for-supposing that a small area of land were obtained as an endowment for the construction of miniature harbor-works—-in a few years, when the trade of the port had materially increased, no public estate would, probably, be left in these parts to operate on. Besides which, if a substantial breakwater can be constructed on the terms set forth by his Worship, there is no reason why the rising generation should not bear a burthen, if necessary, for improvements that would benefit them materially. We are sorry that the “ reconstruction ” question should have been introduced in dealing with this important subject, as agitation on that old grievance could not possibly have a beneficial effect. The matter of improvement is, assuredly, the main question, and the united efforts of the public bodies of this district should be put in force to give effect to it. There Can be no doubt as to the necessity for the construction of a good harbor of refuge for the East Coast, and the Government cannot, we think, raise any objection to tho provisions of the Bill now under notice being given effect to. The only objectionable feature of the arrangement proposed appears to us to be the nomination of members of the Board, instead of giving the public an opportunity of selecting who shall transact the business of such a highly-important body, and we do not think that the number of representatives proposed is sufficiently large. The great evil in this Colony, in the formation of public bodies, has been the small number of members of which they have been constituted, the result being that a great deal of “ logrolling” has often eventuated. Besides which, if the people are to be taxed — even though it be but at a small rate—to carry on the contemplated operations, they have a right to decide who shall undertake the management of affaire. However, the most important matter for consideration at present is the adoption of the best means for giving effect to the proposals brought forward at the Conference, and we are in hopes that the three principal public bodies of Poverty Bay will act unitedly, and with much spirit and energy, if found necessary, in pushing ahead the good work now under consideration.