MOKAU NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1918, Page 2

MOKAU NEWS.

t I EABBOK BOARD. (From Our Own Correspondent.)' The monthly meeting of the Harbor ißoard was 'told on the 12th inst, Mr '& Whitehead presiding. Correspondence was read from Messrs Boy and Nicholson, the boarcPs solicitors, re instructing re collection qf special rate. From the Awakino County Council in reply to the Board's query as to ■legal access to Mokau wharf, stating it was unable to define same, and suggesting application be made to the Land's Department, Auckland, for the information required. From the Department of Marine as to felling bush into the Mokau river, and notifying the Board that settlers had been warned against same. Prom Marino Department as to proposed new harbor regulations, and asking the board's opinion as to the necessity or otherwise of making such regulation.—lt was decided to support the proposed regulation making it compulsory for all vessels having repairs carried out while in port to have a boat alongside, and ensure the safety of the men employed, .provided the vessels supply the boats themselves. From the Secretary of Marine with regard to the appointment of Mr F. W. Carrington, of Awakino, to the vacant seat on the Board for the Awakino Riding, and advising that the Awalcino County Council was entitled to make the appointment.—The Secretary waa directed to get into touch with the County Council, with a view to having the matter definitely settled. From Messrs Loughnan and Jacobs enquiring ,os to the progress of negotiations between/the Board ons Government with regard to river clearance, and pointing out how essential it was in the interests of all that the Mokau coal industry should be revived.—ln view of the great assistance given to the Board in the past, the secretary was instructed to write io Messrs Loughnan and Jacobs acquainting them with the position up to date. From Mr John Keliy, Awakino County Engineer, intimating the plans he had submitted to the Public Works Department for the building of a snagging punt were still under considera- : tion, and would, in the light of later developments, probably need some slight modification. Considerable discussion ensued upon this. The chairman stated the Board had been battling to get the river re-opened to the coal mines ever since the great flood liad brought the obstructions down, and, though some progress had been made, it was slow; not because of any fault of the Board, j but because there seemed to be a good few other obstructions beside those in tlie river. • Mr Maine was of the opinion matters j should be hurried up. The board should worry all and sundry who had any ini fluence with the Departments involved. - Time was creeping on—and before long another summer would ha. come , and gone with nothing done; Mr Sampson pointed out the urgency of the matter, for even o#ee the plans were approved it would take a good, two : months before the punt could.be in oom- < mission and a team got together. The ' timber required was. necessarily scarce ■ under .present, conditions-, tie same I be said about-lai^j;,, _ Mr A. W. Solp. said, the .opeiiiiig of the river to traffic , was .of imt portance- Bettler, espec- } ially since it had been found -necessary j to collect the 'special rate. In time r past the dfljsa upon coal- and timber (Jutward had.more than paid interest and sinking fund ph the £iOOO loan, atii' thq ! , sooner the. river was opened the sootier • the board would be able to carry on again without collecting the rate. Mr J, R. Tcrrill thought it high time the member for the district wa3 approached on the matter. If anyone had influence with the heads of Departments it. should be the members, To have the river snagged this seaspn, it "vyas almost imperative the Work should' commence as near December Ist as possible. He moved: "That the Secretary write to Mr Jennings, M.P., place the whole position as at present, before him, and ask him to give the board Ms whole hearted assistance."—Seconded by Mr H. Maine and carried. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Engineer of the Publio Works Department, asking him to expedite the matter of the snagging necessary, at the same time pointing out how necessary it was the work should be put in hand as soon as possible. The Secretary was empowered to call a special meeting of the board at any time between now and the next statutory meeting should replies received merit immediate consideration.