TIMARU HARBOR BOARD

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7158, 20 September 1888, Page 6

TIMARU HARBOR BOARD

At the Timaru Harbor Board meeting yesterday, Messrs Jackson and Smith wrote, asking the Board to reduce tbe wharfage rates on coal to the figure charged at Lyttelton, as by doing so the writers claimed that more business would be done through Timaru in the Ashburton and Wait—ate districts. The present charge of 2s per ton was a heavy tax on the local industries of the place. The Chairman said in connection ■with this tbe Secretary had gone into figures, and, after consideration with Mr Ross, he (tbe Chairman) had advised that m letter be sent to Mr C. W. Turner asking his opinion as to whether a reduction from _s to ls 6d per ton would be likely to increase tbe quantity of coal landed here. Before reading tt is letter the Chairman informed the Board that this reduction meant a loss the Board of over £500 per year, and members of tbe Committee did not see their way to advise such a reduction unless it were shown that a very large increase was likely to result in tonnage. The charges on coal at the different ports -were—Dunedin 2s 6dL, Oamaru 2s, Lyttelton Is. Mr Turner's reply was that he did not think the reduction in rates of 6d per ton on Newcastle coal would have the effect of increasing the importation to anything p?r- the quantity required to compensate the Bo—m.. So far as he personally was concerned, the reduction would nut inthaienee his importations, which were BU_—ly governed by ton—age requirements for the export of produce. Tbe excellent quality of the West Coast coal is gradually j«—j-- against Newcastle importations, #tw4 _t the prices of the Native coal can be somewhat reduced, he should only require to bring Newcastle coal to ballast bis vessels for homeward -*-<fli-g He hoped the day was not far distant when they might export coals instead of importing them. 'From this the Chairman said that members would see that Mr Turner did not eaa———r the change advisable. Members eonc—rred, and on the motion of Mr Tesehemaker, the letter praying for a reduction was not entertained, tbe Board not seeing its way to make good the loss sustained if the concession were granted. The Standing Committee having ascertained that there is no immediate prospect of fnrt_er diving being required, suggest that the diver's wages be at the rate of 8s per day, with a bonus of £2 per day, or any part of a day on which he dives. The Committee having received from the Board's solicitors their opinion on the Board's position in the matter of pilotage at their port, and also draft by-law to take the place of tbe regulations now in force in the matter of pilotage, harbor-masters' fees, and towage, theCommi ttee asked for further time to fully consider this important question. It was resolved that, subject to the solicitor's advice, the Chairman be authorised to take any necessary steps to have the Timaru Harbor District proclaimed a pilotage district in accordance with the Harbors Act,—ad that the harbor-master be requested to procure a pilot's license at I__ earliest convenience.