SHINGLE AND SAND

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 562, 31 August 1920, Page 4

SHINGLE AND SAND

FROM WAIKATO RIVER-BED.

("Times" Staff Reporter.)

There, is a good prospect of the shortage of metal in the Waikato district being relieved from a source which, though it lias been tapped for many years past in a minor way, has not been developed to any great extent, namely, from the bed of the Waikato River. A special meeting of the Waikato River Board was held on Saturday afternoon at Mercer, part of the business «of which was to discuss an application from the Firth Pumice Company, of Ohinewai, to be allowed to take metal and sand from the bed of the river by means of dredges. There were present: Messrs A. Glass (chairman), P. Henry, M. Gallery, S. P. Pendergrast, E. Hallet (secretary) and Sellars (foreman). The Board* proposed to give rights to remove shingle and sand from the bed of the river, between Ohinewai and Aka Aka, local bodies to receive half of the annual output, and not less than 10,000 cubic feet to be taken in any one year. The right was to be for a period of seven years. The prke was fixed at 8d per cubic yard for metal at 3d for sand, as fixed by the Department of Marine. Mr. A. L. Stevens (managing director of the Waikato Shipping Company) stated thut he was present merely by the courtesy of the board. He had no battle to fight against the Pumice Company, but was of ther opinion that the board could not grant any special concessions. Also, the board could not divide up any

portion of the river, or grant to any

companj rights for the part or the whole of the river-bed. His company did not want to keep anyone elst out, but it would require metal later on, and he thought it would not be

legal or fair to prevent other companies from getting metal or sand where t) ey liked. That was the position by the River Boards' Act, and in accordance with the Marine Department's regulations. Mr. Henry contended that preference sho'ild be given to the company from whose operations the board would receive the greatest revenue. It a business proposition; the board w.is in need of funds, and it would bo foolish indeed to reject a satisfactory application. He proposed that the board find out the legal position, ar.d if it was within its rights a license be granted to the Firth Pumice Company, or to other companies or individuals, each application to be decided on its merits, all legal requirements to be complied with, and the royalties to be paid as fixed by the Marine Department. Mr. Stevens added that he did not want to hang the matter up, which j would be bad business, but the board was not in a position to grant special privileges to any one firm, or to give undivided or monopolistic right. He hoped thr board would lind itself in a position, both legally and morally, i to grant licenses to all "who were prepared to pay the price laid down by the Marine Department. Mr. Henry agreed that it was not desirable in principle to give exclusive rights, but if snch rights could not be given there might not be sufficient inducement for a firm to carry on. A firm could not be expected to buy dredges if it were likely that another firm might cut in alongside and nullify the work to some extent. Mr. Glass explained that the board might want a channel cut in a cer-

tain area, and therefore it might be advisable, in the public interest, to give an exclusive right for particular stretches of the river.

Mr. Glass estimated the revenue from a license granted to one company would be equal to half the rates.

Mr. Stevens further warned the board against granting too great rights to any one firm. Mr. Glass said that certain areas might be made exclusive, as before stated, but this would not affect other areas. The motion was carried unanimous-

ly. The conditions stipulate that Waikato local bodies are to be entitled to half the annual output, the rate to be by mutual agreement between the company and the local body concerned; in. the event of failure to agree as to price the Waikato River Board Is to act as arbitrator. Operatioas must be commenced within three months from the date of issuing the license.