THE NEEDLES LOCK.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 164, 23 January 1914, Page 2

THE NEEDLES LOCK.

Public Meeting at Waiuku.

Very Sparsely Attended

There was a very small attendance at the meeting called for Wednesday evening to consider matters in connection with the proposed lock at the Needlc9, theie being only some four-

teen residents present. Mr E. Rossiter, chairman of the committee formed to consider the

proposal, announced that this matting was the outcome of the gathering that was he Id recently in the Kentish Hotel, when the chairman and members of the Harbour Board were present. Since then the plans of the lock had been submitted, also

a plan showing the area that might be classified for ratio?. The fc. lirg of the committee who were tlett:d to dtal with the question was that tba time was r.ot ripe for the work yet, and the committee had passed the following resolution, was proposed by Mr and seconded by Mr Hodgkinson: - "Th»t t ; ie question if the construction of His loci' be deferred until the report of the Koyal Commission on the inland waterways scheme is available, and that it is also of opinion that the canal connecting the Manukau and the Waitemata harbours should be constructed bsfore the Needles lock." Mr Rossrer went en to gay that Mr King and himself had also been deputed to wait on the Harbour Board and find out how much the Roard would help, but Mr Gumon's idea was to know how much the people would do to assist, so they had rsslly left no wißf-r than they eama. As the Harbour Boaid had gone to a hj! of trouble over the qustionbe thnjght It was only common courtesy tor them to reply aid state what the district proposed to d\ Mr VV. J. King pxpl ined that there had been some delay over calling this meetirg on accout of tho strike and then the holidays. He had received the following letter fiom the Harbour Board over the mitt:r: "Mr VV. J. Kirg. "Clerk Waiuku Road Board. "Dear Sir,—ln accordance with the promise made by the chairman at the conference with representatives of vour district on 18ih September, I row forward for the information of your committee a plan of the proposed lock at tne Needles, and els) a plan showing a possible classification of the rating area. The estimated cost of the lock complete is £50,000. The engineer is now gathering furiher data. "The chairman suggests that for the present it will be sufficient if the proposal is dealt with in the abstract. If your committee can approve the principle hi is p/epared, as you requested, to again vleit Waiuku in company with the Board members, at a dHte to be arranged, in order to address a thoroughly

representative public meeting. This meeting would be expected to be in a position to give a definite expression of opinion so that the Board might give a decision at once.

"The plan showing three areas which it is auggestci might be classified for rating is submitted merely es a basis for discuseio;'. All interests in these areas would more or less benefit by such a schem?, and if this prin:ipla were affrmed, only the question of values ar.d the rate to be levied would require to ba considered.

"! 'hall be glad if y>n furnish fi - the information of ths Koarii a st. lenient of tic capital values over the three areus .-hown, so that if I'r.e proposal .s Kr:ou?lv entertained, the Board may nn in a p.>siion when it visits Waluku I i say »hat it will require in the way of rate?.

"Ihe question also as to whether the Northern S.S. Company-whose trade would receive a great impetus and who would be big gainers—should be requested to contribute a reasonable sum towards the consummation of this work must be con sidercd.

"A. S. BURNETT, "Secretary Harbour Board." Mr A. M. Barriball said that he thought the rejolution that was proposed by the committee should be adopted by this public meetirg, as he thought it expressed the feelings of the people generally. Mr Srakesphere thought they should make it plain that they wished to sec the Manukau-Wnite-mata canal constructed first. It was considered that the resolution provided for this. The aforementioned resolution was then proposed by Mr A. M. Barriball, seconded by Mr Shakesphere, and carried unanimously.