NEW RIVER HARBOUR.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8484, 16 May 1893, Page 6

NEW RIVER HARBOUR.

[press association telegram.]

INVERCARGILL, 15. A deputation from the Invercargill Borough Council waited on the Colonial Treasurer this morning, requesting him to use his influence with the Government to get an amendment to the Harbours Act to enable them to lease the New River Harbour to a syndicate. Mr Ward, in reply, said the Minister of Marine was of opinion, ..that the Government should not directly interfere in matters of this nature. If Invercargill alone was concerned iv. the proposal it might be favorably considered, but if the Government once interfered they would have similar requests from all parts of the colony. No matter what Government is . iti office, if they took the right course they would resist the transfer from the local bodies, of their responsibilities in connection with the harbours under their control. Looking at it from a common sense point of view, it seemed extremely unlikely tuat any syndicate would take upon themselves a direct loss of several thousands per year. The Council had taken the harbour liabilities, over from the Board, and now wanted to shift them on to a syndicate which was not in existence, and, if it was, he wanted to know if there was any money at its back. The Government would certainly not give support to a proposal of that kind.