HARBOUR BOARD

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 260, 28 July 1921, Page 5

HARBOUR BOARD

THE FACILITIES OF THE FORT DOCK SCHEME MENTIONED The Harbour Board met last night. Mr. J. G. Harkness was in tho chair, and the members present were: Captain C. M‘Arthur, and Messrs. C. M. Turrell, G. Mitchell, C. J. B. Norwood, J. Leuchars, H. D. Bennett, M. W. Welch, J. W. M'Ewnn, J. G. Cobbo, and M. Cohen. Tho chairman reported that the current account was in credit .£66,405, and the imprest account in credit £4372. Tho board had a sum of £130,000 on fixed deposit. Payments for the month included a sum of £50,061 for interest, sinking fund, accounts, claims, and wages. Tho Wharves Committee recommended the board to comply with tho request of the City Council that the shelter sheds and conveniences nt Karaka Bay and Seatoun should behanded over by the board to the council without conditions other than that tho cost of lighting same bo borne by tho council instead of by the board. This recommendation was approved, the chairman stating that the board was not parting with any of its land. A letter was received from the Central Chamber of Commerce forwarding a resolution recommending the encouragement of Pacific trade and the promotion of a dock scheme for Wellington. Mr. Bennott moved that the letter should bo received and the chamber thanked for its suggestions. Mr. Turrell suggested that the board, in its reply, should mention that it was giving attention to the matter of a floating dock. , , , . Mr. Cohen raid tho board should encourage local interest in its affairs, but it should not commit itself to any particular form of dock. The time was not opportune for discussing the dock question. His recent travels had shown him that there were many arguments on both sides to be considered before a floating dock was procured. . . Mr. Mitchell thought that tho interest of other bodies in tho work of the port ought to ho encouraged. Wellington had better facilities and lower charges than any other port in New Zealand. Its charges from ship to store were lower than Auckland charge*. The facilities for handling coal in Wellington certainly were in advance of the facilities in other centres. Suggestions from outside bodies were helpful and were m the in-t-orests of the community represented by the board. The board decided to acknowledge receipt of the chamber’s letter in the terms suggested by members. Other business was taken in committee.