THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1877.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2581, 16 April 1877, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1877.

Thebe was not much business done at the meeting of the Harbor Board on Friday night, but during the conversation which took place (the business amounted to little more) some of the members expressed themselves as averse to resigning before every means had been tried to render the Act operative, and the ideas of the Chairman on this matter met with little sympathy. We do Mr Davies the justice to say that from what he has been able to learn ou this question, during his long connection with local affairs, he has become acquainted with the workings of the " wheels within wheels " which some of his colleagues cannot know ; and being pretty well familiarised with the opposing interests which have been at work to keep back harbor works on the Thames, he almost despairs of overcoming the difficulties. It would appear that if the Harbor Board were ever so willing to take over the harbor staff and its liabilities, they must give some guarantee of being able to maintain the same before the Government will consent to hand them over or convey the foreshore. Iv fact some members of the Board, and persons outside the Board have a pnyiction that

the Government do not want the Board to iake over the same, and so. thoy hamper the transfer with vexatious conditions. This being tho case we apprehend the Board's duty is not to give in and resign, bit to hold on to what has been conceded, namely, the creation of the Board, and bring the whole matter before Parliament next session; for wo cannot believe that the Parliament or the Government would care to see matters remain long as they are, when by a simple concession they could be rid of any further expense in connection with our harbor. The question stands at present thus. The estimated expenditure for salaries and maintenance of the harbour and wharves is £1200 a year, and the revenue accruing £400 a year. After June next there will be a rental coming in from Shortland Wharf of-£l2O a year if the present lessee takes it up, as he has the power, but it would bring more if let by fender. Then it has been shown that Tararu Wharf could be removed, and a saving effected at once of £110 for lighthouse keeper, and, say £20 for kerosene, besides reducing the item of £400 for repairs to the' Goods WJiarf, included in the estimate of expenditure for the year. Next, it may be pointed out that the items for repairs would be considerably less next year than this; so that on a rough estimate, based on the figures supplied to the Harbor Board, but with the reductions on the one side and additions on.the other taken into consideration, we should find that instead of a deficiency of £800 a year for two years there would be perhaps £600 short for the first'year, and £400 for the second, or £1000 for the two years. But, so far, we have only taken into con sideration the revenue derived from tolls, wharfage, pilotage, &c. If the Harbor Board take over the harbor works, they will receive as an endowment tho foreshore. Unfortunately, when the Thames Harbour Board Act was passed last session, the Parliament was nearly at its close, and to prevent any mischief, we suppose, the borrowing powers of the Board were struck out of the Acti Had this not been the case . the sum mentioned as a deficit between income and expenditure would have been easily raised on security of the foreshore.; As the Board cannot borrow money, however, except on the personal responsibility of members, there is another source open'to them—that is, the revenue from the foreshore.. For a number of years valuable portions of this public endowment have been held as battery sites and for other purposes; and when they were taken up it was with" the understanding that they should pay rent at the rate of not less than £50 a-year each. We do not know how many of these sites hare been faken up, but we do know that there are several which have been occupied for years rent free, and so long as the foreshore remains in its present state these squatters will continue to enjoy portions of the public est-te rent free, unti-, in fact, they have established a sort of preemptive right to the same. If the Harbcr Board were in possession of the foreshore, in these battery sites they would have a revenue that would go far to reduce the discrepancy between income and expenditure, for besides those now occupied other portions of the foreshore could be easily let, applications having been repeatedly refused during the past three years because no one had the power to grant them. We have written upon thia subject again because we would like to see members at the next meeting of the Eoard go into the matter fully. We have not before referred to one item which might well be reduced, because we have endeavored to point out rather how the revenue may be increased, but the item not previously noticed which appears too much is that for powder wharf. However, members are pretty we>! convinced, we believe, that the expenditure may be lessened ; we have shown how this income may be augmented. If the permanent harbor of the- Thames is to be near the centre of population, the Harbor Board must not give in now. If they resign their powers the Government will continue to administer the harbor in a way that will keep back the place until other influences have succeeded in getting Kopu made the port, which would not be advantageous to the public, but would suit the ends of a few individuals. That these influences, are and have been for years p.t work is generally believed, and that they account for the opposition which encounters the Harbor Board at every step in their attempts to obtain those concessions which were promised, and which are necessary for theni to have before they can properly enter upon the duties of their office, seems also pretty evident. We hope to see the Board unanimous at their next meeting in a determination not to let the matter rest until they have obtained what the Thames is fairly entitled to—the foreshore as an endowment, full control of the harbor, and larger administrative powers.