PETITION RELATIVE TO THE COLONIAL GUARANTEE TO THE EXTENT OF ₤40,000 FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE DOCK TRUST, OAMARU.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1871 Session I, D-10

D.—No. 10

PETITION RELATIVE TO THE COLONIAL GUARANTEE TO THE EXTENT OF ₤40,000 FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE DOCK TRUST, OAMARU.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OP HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1871.

D.—No. 10.

To the Honorable the Colonial Secretary. The Memorial of the undersigned Inhabitants of Oamaru appointed as a Committee, at a General Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town and District, respecting the Oamaru Harbour Works: HUMBLT SlIEWETH, That the important Harbour "Works undertaken by the Oamaru Dock Trust, and commenced with the sanction of the Provincial Government, have been nearly brought to a standstill for want of funds. That the borrowing powers possessed by the Trust are not sufficient to obtain money on reasonable terms. That the Provincial Government are committed to an expenditure of twenty thousand pounds out of revenue on the works. That the sum of forty thousand pounds is required to bring them to a satisfactory point. That, as shown by the accompanying statement, the work will be of a reproductive character, and of vast importance to the inhabitants of tho largest and finest agricultural and pastoral district in the Province of Otago. That the improvement of the Port of Oamaru is likely to increase the traffic over portions of the proposed railway lines and their branches, by facilitating settlement and the cultivation of the land. Tour Memorialists therefore pray that the Government will be pleased to propose to the General Assembly that the Colonial guarantee be granted to the extent of forty thousand pounds, to be applied to the purposes of the Dock Trust on equitable terms, on the security of the Provincial revenue. J. Udall, Mayor and Vice-Chairman of Dock Trust. James Asiickoft, Member of Oamaru Dock Trust. Abthub N. Maude. J. O'Meaohee. J. Lemon, Member of Oamaru Dock Trust. Oamaru, 20th September, 1871. Mekobawditm respecting Oamaru Harbour "Works, referred to in the accompanying Memorial, for the information of tho General Government and Members of the General Assembly. 1. The Oamaru Dock Trust was incorporated by an Ordinance of the Otago Provincial Council, June, 1869 (Session XXV., No. 290), and endowed with a valuable estate in the Town of Oamaru, having an extensive frontage to two of the principal business streets. The Trust has, under this Ordinance, power to lease for twenty-one years, and to mortgage the estate, and to impose dock dues. It is further authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding forty thousand pounds, at a rate of interest not exceeding 8 per cent. 2. By agreement between the Provincial Government and the Trust, it was arranged that twenty thousand pounds should be granted in aid of the proposed works out of Provincial revenue. 3. A careful examination of the harbour had been previously made by Messrs. Blackett, C.E., and Dobson, C.E., who had been appointed Commissioners by the Provincial Government, and a report was prepared, in which certain recommendations were made, which have guided the Trust and its Engineer in deciding on the course to be pursued in constructing the works. 4. A contract having been accepted by the Trust, with the approval of the Provincial Government, a commencement of the works was made early in the present year, and a number of large blocks of concrete were prepared for the dock proper. Subsequently, by the advice of the engineer (Mr. McGregor) and with the sanction of the Provincial Government, it was decided to go on with the southern wall first, as necessary for protection to the other works, and immediately useful. 5. A valuable quarry of hard, basaltic rock having been discovered immediately contiguous to the site of the southern wall, a considerable amount of reclamation has already been made with largo rough stones and rubble filling, and a tramway round the Cape, to connect the new works with the town, has been commenced. 6. If the south wall is carried out, say, twelve hundred (1,200) feet from the Cape, at a cost of about thirty-five thousand pounds (£35,000), it will extend into water having a depth of fifteen (15) feet at low tide, and, under its shelter, coasting steamers and vessels of considerable tonnage, say up to two hundred and fifty (250) tons, would be able to lie alongside to load and discharge, and Oamaru building stone could be freely shipped, which cannot be done at present. 7. Tho liabilities of the Trust at the present time amount to about three thousand three hundred pounds (£3,300), and the Provincial Government have as yet been unable to liquidate them, though bound by their agreement to do so. 8. The Trust has on hand a large quantity of Portland cement to enable them to proceed rapidly with the work, and other shipments to the extent of two hundred (200) tons are at hand, payment for which must be immediately provided for. 9. It is of the utmost consequence that works of this nature, when once commenced, should be promptly proceeded with.

PETITION RELATIVE TO THE COLONIAL GUARANTEE TO THE EXTENT OF .£40,000 FOR THE DOCK TRUST, OAMARU.

D.—No. 10.

4

PETITION FROM THE DOCK TRUST, OAMARU.

10. The underwritten statistics will show the immense importance of the works in question to a large district, embracing some of the finest land in Otago; the want of proper shipping facilities seriously retarding the cultivation of the land. Statistics. The Oamaru District proper contains about 600 square miles, chiefly agricultural land. The Valley of the Waitaki, with the Lindis and Lake Ohau Districts, embraces about 2,000 square miles, chiefly pastoral country. The erection of the Waitaki Bridge will bring the southern sea board of Canterbury for say fifteen miles northwards, including the Waimate Bush, also into immediate communication with Oamaru as a shipping port. The proceeds of sales of town and country lands in the district has brought some £300,000 into the Provincial Treasury, and the pastoral rents from the "Waitaki District will amount to about £20,000 per annum. Vessels entered, including coasters, in 1870, 204 ... ... ... 15,570 tons. Vessels entered, including coasters, to 30th June, 1871,117 ... 11,021 tons. Estimated entered, including coasters, for remainder of year ... 8,379 ,, Say for 1871 ... 20,000 tons. (The vessels nearly all both bringing in and taking away cargo.) Probable exports of Oamaru stone, when proper facilities are afforded ... 20,000 tons. Increase in grain production in 1872, say ... ... ... 5,000 „ Probable yield for 1872 ... ... ... ... ... 500,000 bushels. Bales. Wool export to 30th June, 1871 ... ... ... 8,190 Wool export to end of year, say ... ... ... 910 9,100 Present cost of landing and shipping by boating service and drays, per annum, about £6,000. Tonnage dues of Is. per ton on imports, at 6d. per ton on exports, would immediately produce about £1,150.