PROPOSED HARBOUR BITE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1844, 30 May 1885, Page 2

PROPOSED HARBOUR BITE

TfiE Mayotfand Borough and others, met Mr Shieehiti, M.sp.R..§ on Thitr'sda/ afternoon lo cdn^idelt and confer" dn niattdre connected /with the Borough. Chief in importance Was" the proposed Harbour Bill. After haying -listened to what the meinb^ df the Committee Had td say, MrSheeilatt gave" Ilia dpinidn dri the matter which was briefly as follows .:,—^9 e . did not quite agree with the limited' views of the Committee who were acting under instructions from the borough Councih What they asked for Was that he shduld endeavour to get a bill through the House creating a Harbour Board, the bill to have a schedule attached comprising endowments sufficient to enable the Harbour Board to obtain a loan for the works in the" harbour, ari withdiit endowments they could do notluug and the bill to hinge upon such schedule. The proposed works as suggested and reported upon by Sir John Coode represented some £30,000. Endowments sufficient to guarantee interest; etc., on such amount was sought fdr ; He; Mr Sheehan, would recommend" ail alternative^ by all 'means try for endowments, but take power in the bill by which the Harbour Board shall be able to levy a rate sufficient to carry interest and sinking fund on the required loan. He would moreover endeavour to get the G-overnmenfc to guarantee the cost of working for a few years. Mr Sheehan pointed out that if the Harbour Bill was obtained it would further the railway, as without the harbour the railway wa^ Worth nothing. He advised framing a bill on the same lines as bhe Napier Harbour Bill. In that particular case the required amount was some £300,000, but they had taken the precaution to insert the powers he so strongly advocated. " If what is wanted cannot be obtained in one way let us try another." If the clause for levying a rate is inserted in the bill and the endowments are obtained the loan cau be placed on the London market and the fact of having power to levy such rate is an evidence of good faith with the public. With reference to the lapsed grant for the flagstaff and signal station, Mr Sheehan will hunt up the matter and see why the amount was not appropriated. Two points were pressed upon the Council, (I) to see that the power to levy a rate was introduced ; (2) that there should not be a separate staff, but the working of the Harbour Board should fall tc the Councillors — due representation to be considered. The Committee at once set to work to compile a rougli draft on the lines of the Napier Harbour Board Bill. ,In reference to the acquisition of Papamoa Block, some steps have already been taken, and it was agreed that Mr Sheehan should wait upon Mr Brabant, R.M., and confer with him on the proposition ot having assistance afforded him so asto expedite the matter as much as possible. No time should be lost to move in the required direction. Mi Sheehan pointed out that as the House would meet at an early date no time should be lost in giving notice of the intention to apply foi the required bill,