THE HARBOUR QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 100, 29 April 1902, Page 2

THE HARBOUR QUESTION.

DIBOUBBION AT THE OiUXHUL OF OOMHKBCK Mr Alkxasdbb nnve*, "Thattbi* Chamber ascertain the cost of raining » loan for the improvement of the harbour with Opunako and Waiwa left out." This would give the farmer some idea of whit it would cost per £IOO.

Mr Penn thought a great dutl ooaW be done to show fanpirs the gain tie improved harbour would bein the saving on fencing wi: e and o hw requisite* {or the farm.

In reply to a question, Mr S. Weston expressed the epiniro that some time would be tcqiired before the necessiry legislation oould be effected.

The Chairman said is a few month* u Mr Cauman's proposals would develop, and they could then consider the qU(f> tion.

Mr fiewlty said be had M faith in Mr Cadman's sehem*, and thought tbey should go alone and get the naees* airy information to convince farmers of the wis-ioui of completing the port. Mr Cock said every now and again they broke out in a new place. For years they had allewed the Harbour Board to sit on the district. He f«lt sure if they went the proper way to work they oould con* vimw the Govirnmant of the necessity of making a harbour, H* a tvooafrd getting the prisoners to do the work. H i pofcfcd out the good wurk they had done at th" gaol, and if ti'ty or a hundred wore put to work at the br'abwater here the work o uM 04 done without a loan.

Mr Courtney said it was "imply marvellous what the htd done at the Oap«, a hntbour and do?kf I of immense valu« having been -.mde. Mr Newton Km* gave a hmo-y of t.he arrangement wade in reg*i d to too dniry industry with the sh'pp'ng com[jinies. As far as the loin popoeala wtra concerned he had always Held ihi demand would ojme from the oouatry; but at prssint it would be almost impossible to get a lean, He htld it would be nenfggary to first get rid of che loan row nearly terminated, la the meantime the country settler* vera carefully thinking the matter over, and it was for the Chamber to give them fac r ß to study. As far as pris.m Übonr went it might be possible to get the Harbour Board to consider the question.

Mr Hughes endorsed 'he <«jurkf made by Mr King. He thought tho agitation should come from the country, aud the town should be quiet. It was the Chamber of Commerce that should move in the matter of giving country settlers information. He moved, That the Council bs requested to pr«par« a statement showing the improvements required to accommodate dirrct ship- | ment to England, also the cost of too same. Also a scheme for providing the necessary funds and the en- sequent annual charges for the in'erest; alro the estimated revenue of th« Board, showing the saving to settl ra oil freight on exports and import*, and other advantages. Mr Bewley considered that the country settlers were very ignorant. •Some oven thought that when the loan ma'urrd their rates would ceise.

Mr Auibu-y seconded, and supported tin resolution. There whs a good deal iii' interest being taken in the question, and t!iA views of settlers war* chang- | irifr. He btdieved the revenue would soon grow, a > tint a new lotn would not be necessary.

Mr S. Weston advoca'ed a prist of £2O buiivj giv*n for the bett «nwy on the subject. After further discussion, Mr Cook then moved tha 1 ; the Chamber re-

fully request the Harbour Bjerd t.iuonsidnrtheitdvisableDS'WjfiipproMhi>.: the Minister for Justic* re eaipleyiiig prison labour to complete tha breakwater. Mr Alexander stoonded th>V

Some discussion ensued sr o whether this was to be taken as an am od.oent. The Ohairtnaa supported HI ■ (look's mmion, and urged the necftSMty of providing accommodation for oasting v«ss.ls with sheds for transpip.iing. Oa Mr s tg£< g.i io, Mr Hughes agreed to withdraw hi< mo ion, and Mr Cook's motion wm rarried unnoiinous'y.

Tne chairman a ,•! Mr Code were ap-point-d to wail upo i the Harbour K'.HirJ wi;h the resolution at its nexS. Minting, A resolution w« iilso carried approving the action of the Board with re-, ssect te the leuiag proposals, f