HARBOUR BOARD WORK

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28552, 3 April 1958, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD WORK

Two Questions By Member Two requests for information on a visit to Opua by the engineer-in-chief (Mr J. A. Cashin) and of work done last year on the grab dredge Te Whaka were made by Mr W. B. Laing, at yesterday's meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board.

Nothing had been reported to the board on the visit of the engineer-in-chief to Opua to advise the Whangarei Harbour Board, complained Mr Laing Surely the board was entitled to show whether Mr Cashin made the visit? The chairman (Mr W. P. Glue): I don't think the decision was very important. “There is a principle,” said Mr L. G. Amos. “If the engineer or any officer travels away, we should know whether the result of the trip has been worthwhile to the organisation requesting it. We have had no communication on whether the Whangarei people were pleased with what Mr Cashin told them.

To Mr Cashin: Did you do any good and what was the situation when you got there? Reply By Engineer

“I did go; that is the answer to the first question," replied Mr Cashin. “If I did any good, that is only a hope; as for the business, it is a long and complicated one. Anybody can get a copy of the report, which has now been released by the Whangarei Harbour Board.”

Mr Laing: I was only wondering whether you had gone to Opua. The accounts for the period October 1. 1957. to March 28. 1958 showed that the expenditure on the dredge Te Whaka was £3866. compared with £l9 948 last year. “I might as well be candid.” said Mr Laing, questioning the difference. “I will tell you the reason I am asking for an explanation. Last year. I brought up the question of the conversion of the dredge and the use of the different gear." “I will give you a full report on it,” said the secretary-manager (Mr A. L. Burk).

“You would not expect the information 'off the cuff now,' ” the chairman (Mr W. P. Glue) remarked to Mr Laing.