CONFERENCE MEETING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 238, 18 September 1884, Page 3

CONFERENCE MEETING.

A Conference of members of the Borough and County Councils was called for last evening, to consider the advisability of allowing the proposed Harbor Bill to be passed without the endowments, provided it was found impossible to get it through in its present form. His Worship the Mayor was in the chair, and in addition there were present Messrs. Lewis, Wilson, Graham, Hepburn, Brown, and Townley. His Worship explained that County Councillors either could not, or would not, attend without seven days notice. As it was impossible to give that notice the County Council would probably not be represented. He remarked that the agitation for reconstruction of the Board had arisen with the County Council, but they seem to have given up the idea; at fl! events they had taken no further action. If the meeting decided to let the bill lapse the Board would go on as heretoore. Mr. A. Graham said he had communicated with Mr. Locke to ask what he thought would be the effect if the bill was passed without the endowments. Mr. Locke had replied that

it would not interfere with other bills. He thought whatever the fate of the bill was that something would have to be done to improve the river. He did not know whether the present bill would give them power to do necessary works in the river, but he thought it could easily be made to give them that power. The Chairman did not think the Bill could be altered, but the words “ incidental thereto,” had been added at Sir George Grey’s suggestion to give the power referred to. Mr. Townley thought the Bill should be pushed through at all hazards even without the endowments. They had an estimate of something like £60,000 for river improvements io give them twelve feet on the bar, which he thought would be so much money thrown away. The present House was favorable to the Bill, and he would suggest that the endowments be dropped rather than lose the bill altogether. He thought the Bill would give them power to do any smaller works. They could push for the endowments at a futu'-e session. If the Napier harbor was made before Poverty Bay. it would militate againtt future success. He spoke strongly on the benefit of reconstruction of the Board as provided for in the Bill, and would urge it- being p essed if for that purpose a 1 one. Mr. Lewis thought the Bill should be got through at all hazards in any shape. There would not be a person in the district who would not benefit by the harbor works. They would never have an opportunity like the present of getting the Bill through, and should not miss it. Mr. Graham had come to the conclusion that the Bill should go on in any shape, but thought something should be got in so as to prevent any mistake as to giving power for smaller woiks. The Chairman pointed out that no alteration could be made in the Bill now, although a trifling amendment might be made in Commil tee after the second reading. It was resolved “ That the deputation be instructed to get the Bill passed in the best shape they could.