TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2493, 17 March 1881, Page 2

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD.

A special meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board was held to-day. Present —Messrs F. Archer (Chairman), T. W. Hall, W. Evans, Capt. Sutter, Gray, Turnbull, Teschernaker, Moody, and W. Postlethwoite. THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT. A letter was received from the Committee of the Mechanics’ Institute inviting the attendance of the members of the Board at the laying of the foundation stone of the new Institute by His Excellency the Governor. - CEMENT. The Engineer reported that there were only 400 casks of cement in the store. This, with 1000 casks about to be forwarded by Messrs Cargill, Gibbs and Co. from Dunedin, would make, three weeks’ supply. The cement from the present contractor, per Mercia, has been weighed, and so far as that test was concerned it was found to be like the previous shipment—inferior. It would be fully tested in the course of a few days, when he would bo able to express a definite opinion on its merits. Resolved —■“ That in the event of the samples of cement ex Mercia proving inferior, a Committee of the town members be appointed to consider the matter, and take steps to get a supply of cement in the interim.” TENDERS. Tenders for the supply of ironmongery and stores were referred to the Finance Committee who reported that on exexamination that of Mr J. R, Stansell proved to be the lowest for all'the items except two, and they consequently recommended that this tender be accepted. The report was adopted, Mr Stansell’s tender being accepted.

The following lenders were received for wharf extension : & s. d. McKenzie and Co., Dunedin 2545 8 7 Thomas and Hill, Amberley 2433 17 6 Simpson and Leask ... 2939 10 0 Jones and Peters ... 2304 17 5£ S. Derby... ... ... 3337 0 4 T. R. Jones ... ... 2869 4 9 Jas. Philp 2733 17 0 Jas. Newton 2902 17 11£ R. B. Sibley 2538 17 0 The tender of Jones and Peters was accepted, RAILWAY MATTERS. The Hon. T. Oliver, Minister of Public Works, telegraphed intimating that he would arrive in Timaru by the express from the North, and expressing a desire to confer with the Board on the connection with the Breakwater and other Railway matters immediately on his arrival. A letter was also read from Mr A. Werry, Under Secretary for Railways, enclosing a design of the proposed new railway station ; intimating that the Government is prepared to lay temporary accommodation on the wharf as required, making a charge for haulage &c‘, and addding that the collection of wharfage dues will be undertaken if desired at a commission of 2£ per cent. THE board’s ENDOWMENT. The Hon Mr Oliver accompanied by Mr W. N. Blair, Engineer-in-Chief for the Middle Island, made their appearonce at this stage and were introduced to the Board, the members rising en masse.

The Chairman said it appeared from the design of the Railway station forwarded, the department proposed to erect a goods shed on part of the reclaimed ground. This land had been considered part of the Board’s endowment and he presumed the Government intended to act equitably in a matter of this kind.

Mr Oliver—Well, Mr Archer and gentlemen—l came here to see if we could'not come to some arrangement as to the best mode of improving the railway station accommodation at Timaru. As you are probably aware I have always been desirous of seeing better accommodation provided, but the Government has been prevented from proceeding with the improvements in consequence of the large compensation demanded by the owners of private property which was needed for railway accommodation. You are also aware that the department has been put to much expense in protecting the foreshore from the encroachments of the sea, and that these encroachments are attributed to the harbor works. I may state that the department has been recommended with the view of protecting the railway to apply for an injunction to stop 'the building of the Breakwater. Several thousands of pounds have been spent in protecting the line, in this way, and it occurred to me that the damages done by the Harbor works on the north might be fairly compensated by the reclamation on the south, and in pursuance of that idea the present plans of the new railway station have been prepared. The Government, I may state, have also consulted the lawofficers and have received a unmistakeable opinion from the SolicitorGeneral that the land reclaimed is the property of the Crown. I don’t say but that equitably you are entitled to the land below high water mark, but it is very clear that in the future, owing to the expansion of trade, your endowment will be very large, and this area is therefore not of much importance. I say this, because I have no doubt of the future of this port—that it is destined to become the centre of an extensive export and import trade. If you were disposed to adhere to your equitable rights, you might, I believe, place great impediments in the way of the station site, but I believe you are actuated by the same desire as the Government —to do the best for Timaru and the neighborhood at large. The opinion of the Solictor-General is that the rights of the Harbor Board as regards this endowment are so vague and indefinite that legislation will be required to define them. The intention of the Government is not to interfere with the value of the endowment, but to meet you on fair terms, and to make a railway station in such a position as will not be detrimental to your interests. Mr Evans ; —I am aware that some time ago a very high price was asked for the land required for railway purposes, but the Chamber of Commerce and Borough Council appointed a committee who made arrangements with the owners, the effect of which was to reduce the price demanded to something that was considered fair and reasonable.

Mr Oliver—l did not say the price was excessive, but that it was too large to justify the Government, in the present state of affairs, in incurring the outlay. Mr Evans—What we want is to get a revenue, in order. to carry out the works. This can hardly be done unless we have control of the foreshore, and can lease it in sections. Mr Oliver —You must not forget that the Government has power to take any part of your endowment for railway purposes. We are not, however, disposed to construe our powers arbitrarily. Mr Turnbull—The Act provides that the land may be taken, as you say, but is the Government not bound to pay the cost of reclamation ? Mr Oliver—Oh, of course, we are bound to do that. Mr Turnbull—And in this instance the cost of reclamation is the cost of the Breakwater. Mr Oliver (laughing)—That is putting the case in another light. Mr Turnbull—You dispute the right of the Board to this reclaimed area ?

Mr Oliver—On the opinion of the Solicitor-General. The Chairman submitted that the Government did not deny the right of the Board to the endowment, but he believed an exchange was proposed. Mr Oliver—My intention was to place you in a position no worse than that which you occupied before, by arranging to give you an area in another position equivalent to that which we ask you to give up. We do not want to be greedy, but simply to consult the public interests, and make a railway station equal to the requirements of the public. After some further discussion Mr Oliver suggested that the Board should define the area which it would be willing to allow on the south side of the Breakwater, for railway purposes, and the Government .would then endeavor to meet the wishes of the members by compensating for the land withdrawn and waiving all further claim to the reclaimed area. The Board then adjourned.