HARBOR BOARDS' CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 24 October 1907, Page 2

HARBOR BOARDS' CONFERENCE.

Per Press Association. _ Wellington, Wednesday, iiie naruor Boards' Conference opened to-day. ihe visiting delegates were welcomed by the chairman, the Hon. T. K. Macdonald. Proof copies of the Harbor Boards' Bill were received, with a request that they should be regarded as absolutely confidential. ' It was resolved, that in addition to the borrowing powers which Boards already possess, the Government, in amendin" the Harbors Act, be asked to provide power to issue inscribed stock, and power by arrangement with holders to call 111 either portion or the whole of a series of debentures already issued or to be issued, and to substitute inscribed stock therefore. Another resolution was affirmed that kovernor-in-Couneil should have power to grant and Board lands which is authorised to reclaim from the sea or from any navigable Jake or river, in the course of the discussion, there was some criticism of the Government's disregard of Boards' by-laws. It was decided to again represent to the Government that payment should be made for services rendered to the Government by Boards' conferences. It was resolved to itgree to obtain legislation providing that dredges shall le pUced m a separate category in the Shipping and Seamen's Act, and not be required to carry more than one navigating ofiieer per shift when working in the vicinity of harbors administered by Boards to which they belong The proposal asking to make it clear that Harbor Boards have the right to levy tolls in respect to passengers was defeated. THE DELEGATES ENTERTAINED. Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Niglif. The delegates to the Harbor Boards Conference were entertained at luncheon ■w r Ho "' T- K « nue <'y Macdonald, M.L.G., chairman of the Wellington Harbor Board. There was a large gathering, including several Ministers of the Crown, the Mayor of Wellington, the Leader of the Opposition, and many members of Parliament. Speeches eulogistic of the. work of the Conference were delivered by tlie Right Hon. Sir ■Joseph Ward, Mr. Massey, Mr. Laurenson, and the Hon. J. A. Millar. The last-named referred to the necessity for unproved lighting and survey of the coast. He hoped to get sufficient money to equip annually at least one first-class lighthouse costing about £30,000. The work of survey had been delayed through not being able to obtain a suitable vessel.