HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 167, 18 July 1903, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

* , The ordinary monthly meeting of the Board was beld on Friday. Present: Messrs Oonnett (ch-irmm), Newton King, McLean, Dingle, Price, Ward, ' Foreman and Maxwell. The minutes read and con- i firmed. A lettar from A. Sband and Company re cylinders supplied for tb< locomotives was read. | The Chairman oxplained that tht [cylinders were the wrong size and had been rent back. In the meantime the firm had drawn on the Board for their value | It was decided to hold the matter over for the present after some discussion, The Marine Department wrote notifying the reappointment of Messrs J. Ward and Richard Price as members of the Board. The Marine Department wrote stating that a tide guage had b:en sent to be fixed at the port. Captain Hood wrote and verbally explained that there were difficulties in the way of fixing it, the difficulty being, if it was fied on the wharf ss proposed, to get ssill water, free from vibration caused by locomo'.ives on tho wharf and passing vesseK It was resolved to reply that in the opinion of the Board this was not a suitable pkoe in which to ereot the guage. A letter from the Lyttelton Harbour Board was read setting forth a schema for the superannuation fund for Harbour Board employee?, and stating that that Board had resolved that the views of the several Harbour Beards be ascertained as to whether it is desirable and possible that a Bill be passed on similar lin<>s to the Railway Superannuation Fund Act, 1899, should be prepared, having for its object a scheme to provide for the superannuation of all Harbour Board employees throughout the colony. The Chairman was authorised to supply the neces-ary information regarding the Board's employees. The Treasury wrote stating that land revanuo amounting to £478 9s 5d had b en placed to the Board's credit. The Chairman said this was rather better than they had been receiving. Messrs Burgess, Eraser and Company wrote asking when the Ourriestreet Reserves would be offered for lease and on what terms, After discussion Mr Prioa moved that a committee consisting of Messrs Foreman, Maxwell, Dingle and the mover be appointed to go into the matter, Mr Ward seconded. Mr Maxwell obj oted on the ground that an application to do anything with this land should come 1 from Mr King, the leasee of the land. Mr Dingle also considered that if the committee had no power to deal ' with Mr King, it was useless appoint- ' ing them. 1 Mr Forman favoured setting up a 1 committee which could get all the in- ' formation required, ' Mr King said his mou*ih was closed in this matter, but he had been ap--1 proached by the agent of a purchaser, 1 which would probably put the Board in a better position with regard to this 1 land, the lease of which had only six ' years to run. | The Chairman supported the motion, which was carried. 1 The Harbour Mister reported that | 32 steamers were berthed, aggregating | 31,685 tons gross. Imparts were 3268 tons, including 704 ton* of coal. Ex--1 ports were 479 toos, making a total of j 1 3747 tons handled. On June 21st, owing to a heavy N.W. gale, the ' TJpolu was unable to berth until 3 a.m. Owing to repairs to the dredge suction pipe, the dredge was employed with great bu:kets to lift the Bilt. The dredge worked 15 days, makng 148 trips, and removing 8880 cubio yards of sand. The Foreman, E. Williims, reported on work done He suggested that concrete piles be put in at the gridiron instead of piles, and that a short rubble woik be run out at right angles with the breakwater, to stop the run whioh was the principal oause of the gridiron getting broken up. The new diver had taken up his duties, and been down one day examining tho wharf. The Foieman's suggestion re the gridiron was referred to the Eaginesr. The Works Committee's report was read.—The Chairman said the Committee suggested that the Board should stop all carting off the beach and get their own carting done, put up yards in which to place the stona, and sell it from the yard only. Considerable di« cussion easued, in the course of whioh the Chairman pointed out that duriog last month only 13 yards had been paid for, although buildings with oonorete work were going up in all directions. Finally the matter was referred to the Works Committee with power to ao\ Accounts were then pissed for payment. The Harbourmaster, Captain Hoid, was grauted leave of absence till Monday, Captain Roberts, of the Freezing Works, ac'.ing for him during his ab-1 se'.e l . j

I The Chairman brought up the matter I of 'bus fares for the Poremiu of Works I wheu coming into towa oa the Board's business. After considerable discussion, jOn the motion of M sars Price and j Ward, it wis agreed to vote him £5 fir I money expanded in the pas', and bin actual exp 'nditure in thafuturobepaid. An amendment by Messrs Foreman and Dingle, that only future expenses be paid, being lost. On the motion of Mr McLean, seconded by Mr Maxwell, it was resolved 10 pay off the orane guarantee, and to think the guarantors for their

asustaroe. The Board adjmrned for lunch, Th 3 B>atd resumed. Mr Oonnett then moved, pursuant to notice given at last meeting, "That with a view to a more equitable representation of the ratepayers on the Board, a committee ba set up to rearrange the boundaries of the different wards." Mr Oonnett pointed out thaUhere seemed to be a fueling that the present divisions were unfair and he would | give the valuation and number of ratepayers in eaoh ridiDg, which were as follows: valuatiows 1903-4. No. of Ratepayers Ward Valuation 42 1265 Hawera 1,986 276 1653 Stratford 1,644,226 1827 Taranaki N. 1,644,139 806 New Plymouth 858.562 765 Clifton 604,663 627 Taranakl 8. 4J8.604 6940 £6,93M70 Last yeir the total number ot ratepayers wes 6605, and the valuation £6,636,806. It would seem that Olifton and Taran*ki South were over represented, but New Plymouth aud North Taranski were fully entitled to the two members they had got, Be w«l4

mention that the existing arrangement bad not been made by New Plymouth, but by a committee of members. Mr Foreman seconded the motion more willingly because he belonged to one of the small district*. Mr Maxwell contended that the southern end of the district was not sufficiently represented. In making he present boundary the Board had expected greater progress in Clifton and Taranaki South than had taken [place. The chief complaint was that the Government nominees were all at the North end. Mr McLean supported the motion as an aot of justice to his part of the district. Mr Oonnett having briefly replied t hat they bad no control cf the selection of the Government nominees, the motion was carried. Mr Price then moved that the committee consist of the chairman, Messrs Dingle, McLean, Foreman, and the mover. This was seconded' by Mr King and carried. Mr Foreman suggested the number of voters should be taken into consideration as well as the rateable value. Mr Price moved that the Governm9nt be asked for authority to extend the breakwater in aosordanue with the plans of Messrs Merchant and Napier Ball, M's.I.C.E. He mentioned that the authority of the Government was first required, and it was necessary for the plans to be supplied by Mr Merchant to the Government, The Board would then be plaoed in a position to move forward.

Mr Maxwell pointed out that the prop.ir course was to have detailed plans prepared.

Mr Price said that would form the subject for a separate resolution. The Chairman s*id the Engineer advised tint all that was necessary to ask the Government' was to prooesd with rabble work instead of concrete. Mr Foreman stated he had never seen the plans and would like to know how the matter stood. The morion was oarried. Mr Files then moved that the Engineer be instructed to proceed with plans of the rubble work. The Chairman ruled that the motion oould not be put at that stage. Mr King moved that the necessary steps be taken by the Board to have t> bill brought before the House of Representatives, giving power to borrow, subjact to the ratepayers' consent, at per the committee's report. He said the aubjeot had been well threshed out, and as the matter was one for the ratepayers to decide he considered they should have the matter formally before them. Mr Dingle complained that the country members had not sufficient inform ition before them on all details, including prison labour. He under* stood the chairman had interviewed the Premier as to the question of prison labour, but no results of that .interview had been made known. He considered informition as to oast by prison labour should be given. The Chairman said it was not till all

hope ot the Government giving ooneenfe to p-iaon labour was abandoned that Mr King gave his notice of motion. Mr Mo Lean said he represented • district where 99 per cent would vo'e against the ex'eadon, and if the north* ern part of the district was to swamp tne southern it would not be right. The New Plymouth people, believing that the town was the hub of the universe, now proposed to inflict a farther loan on the ratepayers of £300,000, |and instead of a farthing rate he believed a three-farthing rate would be necessary and increased dues also. Ht would fight the proposil toosh and nail, as he considered it was UDJustifable, there being no trade to warrant

it. The Board would be going on the London money market at the rery worst time when the finanoei of the colony stank in the nostrils of the money-lenders. No argument had been brought forward showing that any benefit would accrue by the extension, and he contended that no ocean-going vessels would be allowed to come hen unless there was nine feet of water under them. These matters must be made known to the ratepayer*. Mr Maxwell contended nothing bad been advanced to show any benefit would be derived from the extension or th it ocean boats would come here. He was aware greater facilities were required as to wharfage aooommodatioo, but he would oppose the proposed extension whioh was udjustifiable. Hid the original motion been carried by a deoided majority, it would have been che duty of the minority to give way, but as the Board was equally divided he would, in the interests of toe ratepayers, oppose the motion.

Mr Fortmiu said he had supported prison labour being obtained for the work and he still believed in it. It seemed there bad been some haste on Mr King's part in submitting his motion for a loan, and he thought the oourse taken was not wise. As be re* presented ratepayers opposed to a far* ther loan be should vote against the motion. He askod the chairman for information as to what took place at Wellington as to prison labour. The Obairman reported the inter* views ha bad with the Premier, who had submitted the question to the Otbinet once and promised to do so again, but gave him to understand there was lhtl* hope of outlining the prison* ew, but still h*(Mr Oonnett) waited in the hjpe of Mr Smi h being able to get a more favourable reply. He had now, however, come to the conclusion there was not the slightest hope of getting prison labour, Mr Foreman: What about shippingat Wuitara. W * The Obairman : When we shipped butter at Waitara it coat Is a bo*, at oontended that an enormous quantity of trade that now went to Wellington would come to New Plymouth if faeillties were given and he would etroogly support the motjon. Mr MoLean considered the loan would not be carried. Mr MoLean: I didn't say that, for I am afraid it will be carried (laughter), nut what I do urge is that the part of the district opposed to a further loan should be out out of the loan area. Mr Ward thought that' before the Board submitted the question of a loan to the ratepayers every information should be given. No harm could be done by passing the motion, for if the ratepayers were not oon vino 3d of !the

desirability of the loan they would not vote for i\ Already the oue for the opposi ion had gone forth, and it mi now advisable to put the other aide of ihe question. It seemed as if the op. pooens <i the loan were afraid of the in fdvour being put before the ratepayer. The Chairman deprecated Mr Dingle's aotion in obj wring to the report of the committee of which he was a member. Mr Dingle oomplained that the pro*

mise to circulate the report among the members bad not been carried out. He was afraid the Board was trying to rush matters, as tbe country members were not to in touch with matters as town members. Mr Ring pointed out that Messrs McLean and Maxwell, who generally agreed, differed on tfce point. He thfught Mr McLean had been unfair in his remarks in accusing the advocates of extension of trying to get a loan when they knew the ratepayers were opposed to it, and ha hoped Mr McLean would withdraw that remark. Ms McLmn: I did not mean quite that. Mr King contended that Mr Napier Bell would not have sanctioned the plan unless he was assured that when carried out ocean boa's could come here with safety. All that was being asked now was that tbe gutter should go to the ratepayers, who should have the chance of saying yea or nay. He pointed out that all the money would not ba raised at once, but by degrees. The Dairy Association and others had urged the Board to make facilities for direct shipment, and the Board could not stand still. Mr Foreman explained that though Mr Harkness waited on the Board at the request of the directors, the Dairy Association had not really moved in the matter. Th-i motion was then put and curied on a division. Ayes: Messrs Oonnett, King, Dinple, Price, Ward. Noes: Messrs McLean, Foreman, and Maxwell. Mr King moved, "That the engineer be instructed to prepare plans for a sbrd to be erec ed at or near ths root of the breakwater, to be use! as a transhipment shed." He explained that the main object in providing the shed was to meet the case of goods landed and consigned down the coast, and prevent the present anomaly of taking the goods to town and bringing them back byroad. Some discussion ensued, in which it was urged that the shed should not be built until the plans and estimates had been approved by the Board. At the suggestion of Mr Maxwell, the following words were added, "to h>ld about 200 tons, eo that the Board may be able to judge of the advisability of erecting tie shed." Acd the motion as amended was carried. Mr Maxwell moved, seeing no information has been placed before the Board as to the probable amount of trade for ocean boa's to warrant the Board in going in for large expenditure, with a view of providing accommodation for such, a committee be appointed to report to the Board at its next meeting as to tbe bes 1 ; means of establishing a service by which ocean boats anchored off the port can be tendered. He was certainly not opposed to increasing the facilities of the port, bus he was satisfied that further information wss required. He referred to pirts in other c untries where tendering vessels was successful and met the mse of ports ivhich ocean vessels would not en"*r. He instmced Waitara and Wanganui, which got along vary well in this way, and he considered it would answer here. He honestly believed th it if this port wanted extension bis plan was the quickest way of getting it. He disputed the accuracy of the contention of the supporters of the extension that the import trade would largely be increased. Mr McLean, in seconding the motion, said it would be the means of settling the question of extension. Mr King pointed out the same question was debated thoroughly some time back, and instead of fresh facts being brought forward some of the aiguments previously used by Mr Maxwell had been dropped. He contended th»t the tendering system would be no test of the need of extension, as it wis patent to every one that Vessels must be able to get alongside a wharf in order to land goo Is at lores'; est, and this alone was ths tee', for it was the question of cost that ruled trade. The motion was lost on a division by 6 to 2. Mr Price moved that the Engineer ba instructed to prepare the necessary Information to submit to the Government relative to the extension proposals.—Seconded by Mr King and carried. A le tsr was read from Mr Berry covering copy of letter from Sir A. J. Oadman, in which he stated that the granting of another foreshore lease at the present j nocture must necessarily tend to injure tht flotation on the London market of the company now in course of foimation to work the lease now held by him. If the Board could defer consideration of that application for two or three months until his company's arrangements were completed they oould then lease any other portion of the foreshore under tteir control without the least fear of falling between two stools and defeating the great oh jest we have all been striving to attain. Mr Maxwell moved, tint no further steps be ttken at present.—Carried. The Bo ud rose.