HARBOUR BOARD MATTERS

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 145, 20 June 1888, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD MATTERS

Mr Malcolm Niccol, when returning thanks for the honour conferred upon him by his election as Chairman yesterday afternoon, said that it had always been his ambition to hold that position, and he considered it to be an honourable ambition on the part of any member of the Board. He was in a position to gain such information as would be valuable to the Board, and had great pleasure in V^A^S such service at their disposal. Ihe present was a somewhat critical time in the history of the Board, as they had under consideration the question of finances. They were also face to face with the full payment of interest, and a falling off of revenue consequent on the dulness of the times. It was also worthy of note that they had undertaken rather extensive works ol late. Their finances would probably cause some trouble in the future, though there was no need for panic, and there was no doubt that with the return of prosperity, the Board, with their magnificent property not yet leased, would be as well off as ever. He was sure that in the future their funds would be expended judiciously, and he thought that the Treasurer should not be placed in the position of having to fight for his revenue. Members should also recollect, when reducing revenue and sweeping away certain items, that a necessary increase must be made on some other items in order that efficiency should not be in any way im paired. M r Niccol also referred to the Fair Kent Bill now before Parliament, which he understood gave power to commissioners to reduce rents of public bodies, which if operated on to any serious extent would affect the revenue of the Board, and possiblynecessitate further taxation. The dream that had been indulged in of Auckland being a free port was, he feared, very far oft, and they would have to consider how to suit their management to their altered circumstances. Mr Niccol also stated that he proposed to have returns furnished from the heads of the departments at more frequent intervals than hitherto, in order that the Board might be in a position to judge what works were desirable, and also what changes in the incidence of taxation might be desirable in the view of altered circumstances.