WHANGAREI HARBOUR BOARD

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 23, 28 January 1928, Page 14

WHANGAREI HARBOUR BOARD

RENTAL OF REOTAHI LEASE.

UMPIRE S DECISION UNPOPULAR.

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.)

WHANGAREI, Fridav

Some j ears ago, after the freezing works at Reotahi were destroved by tire, the lease of a property of 48 acres, with a sea frontage of about 06 chains, was acquired by a Whangarei resident, Mr. L. W. Nelson. The Whangarei Harbour Board contested the transaction, on the grounds that rental originally agreed upon by the board was made low as an inducement to getting the freezing industry established. The controversy continued until the end of the existing period of the lease. Meanwhile, on the board's application, the unimproved valuation was increased to £660.

The matter of the amount of rental for renewal was then submitted to two arbitrators and an umpire. The arbitrators failed to agree and consequently the umpire, Mr. E. G. W. Tibbits, assessed the rental at £15 a year for 21 years. Members of the board, at to-day's meeting, were dissatisfied at his finding, and it was agreed that a committee be authorised to take whatever steps it may deem advisable. Developing Mangrove Flats. A committee was set up to consider turning considerable areas of reclaimed Mangrove flats, formed by the channel deepening operations, to profitable account, by letting them for glazing. It is also proposed that there should be an arrangement with the lessee to carry out experiments, in conjunction with Mr. T. H. Patterson, instructor in agriculture, relative to the further breaking in of the land. The mangrove firewood obtainable from tlie areas is to be offered to Whangarei Hospital Board," as it has been proved that it is useful in combating the smoke nuisance at that institution. The handling of the quantity of firewood immediately available will to some extent alleviate the unemployment which is still rife. Inspection of Southern Ports. The chairman, Mr. J. A. Finlayson, having expressed his intention of attending the Greymouth diamond jubilee celebrations, it was resolved that he be asked to ascertain from the Wcstport engineers the requirements of Whangarei in a modern coaling plant to supply overseas vessels calling at Kiorcroa or Onerahi. It was also decided that the engineer should go with the chairman, though opposition was expressed by Some members, who held that the engineer's trip was unnecessary, until after the rcceipt of the chairman's report. Mr. Finlayson was asked to extend his trip in the South Island- by going to the Bluff, tb observe the measures adopted there in dealing with a sandstone bar which is siirtilar to that at Kiorcroa. It is necessary to cut through this channel to give access to the swinging basin, which is now being deepened. Trade and Revenue. Statistical returns showed that the tonnage of cargo handled in the port of Whangarei was 15,157, of which 10.859 tons was exports, the chief contributory items being 8538 tons of cement and 1761 tons of coal. The board's reveitue I was £1317 3/, and after the payment of £1738 2/1, authorised to-day, the general fund will be £5299 in credit ih w iU remain unexpended of £126 000 im P rovcnie » t loan of JSI T aß . a - bare ma .l'onty decision wharf about*™ 1 " 1 !" ° n the w l lanal| aki The nnn ° f "harks. would a & contended that it not within the it- , was board to erect a warning -X the many other places were rt™ 1 * 0 Iy as Owing to the nf fJ° U , S - , tion of the splendid bed of i ', ple " developed in the harW it wf t to ask the Marine Dennr+ re \ olved restrict the operations of ST t*V tQ molluscs for commercial purpose g