“MANY MISSTATEMENTS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 197, 9 November 1927, Page 18

“MANY MISSTATEMENTS”

HARBOUR BOARD’S ATTITUDE TO YACHTSMEN CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS “CO many misstatements have been made regarding the Harbour Board’s attitude toward the yachting fraternity that I think it is time a full statement was made, so that the public may know all the facts, and yachtsmen how they stand at the present and for the immediate future.”

Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, chairman of the board, made his statement at the meeting yesterday, following a letter from the New Zealand Power Boat Association, refuting certain statements that had appeared in one of the newspapers. He stated that, as far as the boatsheds in King’s Drive were concerned, 12 of them were erected in 1913, at a cost of £I,BBB, and were let at a rental of £8 per annum. Later, shed approaches costing £230 were erected, and an additional £2 per annum charged. In 1916 two more sheds and skids were erected, at a cost of £464, and the rental was. increased in 1920 to £l2 per annum. In 1923 all tenancies were cancelled, and let on a monthly basis at £ls per annum. The same year the position was reviewed, and it was decided to take over the first vacant shed for the use of launch owners for painting and cleaning. The rental on the remaining 13 sheds was increased to £2O owing to the cost of maintenance. On August 23, 1927, the engineer reported that repairs to the sheds would cost £1,200 to £1.300. The board decided not to do the work, and notified owners that they used them at their own risk, and at the same time they liad to sign an agreement indemnifying the board from all liability. The rent was reduced to £lO. WATERFRONT SITES SAFE “Sites on the waterfront have been found for clubhouses and sheds for the various yachting and rowing clubs,” said Mr. Mackenzie, “and these areheld under licence from the board at nominal rentals. “The sites will not be disturbed until required by the board, and that will probably be some years yet.” In view of some of the statements being made regarding the amount being received by the board from yachtsmen for mooring sites, the chairman pointed out that there were at present approximately 300 mooring sites leased in the seven protected areas, for which the board received £335 per annum. The work of raising and laying the moorings was done by the board at a small cost. A caretaker for the yacht and launch anchorage had been appointed by the board, and he made his inspections in a launch, against which a charge of £156 per annum was made. The jetty at St. Mary’s Bay was built by the board at a cost of over £3OO, £IOO of which was provided by the yachtsmen, but it was maintained by the board. Four gridirons had been constructed by, and were maintained by, the board, for the pleasure craft in St. Mary’s, Stanley, and Mechanics’ Bay, and were used free of cost. A boat harbour was at present being constructed by the board in St Mary’s Bay, the breakwater of which was costing approximately £50.000. Facilities for assisting in aquatic functions were provided free of charge. “Sites have also been found for hauling up boats,” he continued, “and they are being used free of rental until the board has a permanent site in St. Mary’s Bay. A roadway will later be constructed along the new breakwater,

and sites for boatsheds and clubhouses will also be found. I think it is clearly shown that the criticism recently levelled at the board is not warranted, and that it has been proven that it is in full sympathy with the boating community.” REPORT NOT FAVOURED

“I am not in favour of that report going forward,” said Mr. C. G. Macindoe. “It is generally realised that the board has done and is doing all it can do. If that is published, it will create a controversy.”

In the opinion of Mr. J. B. Johnston, it did not require such a statement to justify the board in the eyes of the boating fraternity. There was always some fiery and irresponsible individual who was for ever complaining, but that did not apply to 90 per cent, of them.

“I appreciate what you say,” said Mr. Mackenzie, “but good yachtsmen should be protected from irresponsible people. Several statements that have appeared in the newspapers have been misleading. 1 ” Mr. J. Hislop and Mr. Campbell Johnstone agreed with the chairman, but Mr. T. Bloodworth moved that the report should be referred to in committee. There were, he said, certain questions of policy that should be considered in committee. “As a matter of fact,” said Mr. Mackenzie, “a reporter has already received this from me.”

That being the case, the motion was withdrawn, and the report accepted.