THE WAITARA HARBOR BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 30 July 1907, Page 2

THE WAITARA HARBOR BILL.

XEW I'I.YMIHTII 150AU1) OBJECTS. A special meeling of Ihe Xew Plymouth Harbor Hoard was held on Monday to discuss the Waitura Harbor Hid to be brought before Parliament this session. There were present; Messrs. J. li. Connett (chairman), X. King, Geo. McLean, das. Thomson, I!. Price, doe Ward. 1). .!. Hughes, end I'.. Iline. Mr Maxwell telegraphed ail apology for absence through illness, expressing hi; opinion (hat any interference ley the Hoard was uncalled for and unwise." Mr Price moved, and Mr Ward secondid. that the chairman and Mr King proceed to Wellington to oppose the" Waitara Harbor Hill before the Local Hills Committee.

-Mr Hughes thought Waitara was certainly . entitled to some representation as a Harbor Hoard, even though just at New Plymouth's door. The, promoters of the New Plymouth Harbor I'.ill had been a bit dilatorv. and thought that the Waitara Hill would not go through. Now it was found that it was almost through. Mr lline thought it somewhat extraordinary that a special meeting should be called now, seeing that at the June meeting it was decided lo take no aciion. Jlr King's proposals had cut out Waitara Borough, not because it was a borough, but because it was a port. Waitara as a port was serving a certain district, and it would bo manifestly unfair lo place any more liability on the Waitara people.' The Waitara'Horough Council anil Clifton County Council had asked him to oppo.se the New Plymouth Bill and support the AYaitara Bill. The chairman said {hat the New Plymouth Hill gave the Waitara people all they asked for in their own Hill, mid more—not only relief from future borrowing, but from the original loan. The contention that the Waitara port met the case was simply ridiculous, for nil the dairy produce had to be shipped through New Plymouth. Where did all (lie stiilf come from that was in the stores at Waiiara? Through New Plymouth, of course. If the Waitara people were so anxious lo improve their harbor, why didn't they borrow? They did not borrow; they wanted to throw the burden on oilier shoulders, though ihey had the reserves for borrowing on. lie had had information from Wellington that the Local Bills Committee had put oil' the consideration of the Waitara Biil for a week in order to give the New Plymouth Board time to express an opinion, so he thought it his duty to call this meeting. Mr McLean considered himself in an

awkward position. Had the AVaitara Hill been a rating Hill he would have supported it. His district sent a good bit of its wool and meal through Waitara, and a deep-sea harbor at New Plymouth would not affect this, thaler the circumstances, however, he could not support the Hill. Mr lline protested that the New Ply. mouth Hill would not give the AVaitara people as much as ihey asked for in their own Hill.

Mr Thomson said ho was strangely situated regarding the matter. The chairman said thov would gel the Home boats hero it they had the harbor. Ho wanted to know what assurance Hie chairman dmd to that effect. Ships would not come here for the fun of the thing. A large area 0 f the district was depending on Waitara to export its wool, beef, etc.. so lie felt in an awkward position. He felt they were lulling a useful port. Mr Hughes said he would vote against the motion, as the Waitara port was very useful to his district.

Mr Hinc moved as an amendment—''That this Hoard does not see its way to oppose the Waitara Harbor Bill at this juncture." Replying to Mr Council's remarks, he said he would freely admit that. New ITymouth had bceu handling the Waitara butter export, but, he asked, who was paying for that. The amendment was seconded bv Mr JTu'rlien. The chairman, answering Mr Thomson, said there was no doubt about the ocean steamers coining here if ihey provided a deep enough harbor. They had it established as a fact that the'work could be done at a very low cost.

Mr Thomson admitted the possibility of making a deep sea harbor. (The chairman: "Good."I). Hut would thev get that direct service that would-bene-fit the butter trade? The people could mil lie expected to mortgage their lands for a loan unless they had some guarantee of such a benelit. The motion was carried, after further discussion.