HARBOUR BOARD CHARGES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 259, 29 July 1937, Page 8

HARBOUR BOARD CHARGES

Contemplated Revision NECESSITY EMPHASISED BY MEMBERS Members of the Wellington Harbour Board having commented at its meeting yesterday on the urgent necessity of reconsidering its tariff and by-law charges, the board referred the subject to a committee which is to report to the next meeting of the board, A committee of the board recently recommended increases in the charges, but its report was not adopted. The subject was raised by Mr. C. H. Chapman, M.P.. who asked whether the board proposed to do anything, seeing that it had made a decision which had reversed its policy and caused it to face a deficit of £33,000 a year. He asked whether it was proposed to take any steps to limit the deficit or whether it. was proposed to meet it out of reservos* Mr M. A. Eliott asked whether the chairman, Mr. D. J. McGowan, proposed to allow a discussion in open meeting, and the chairman referred Mr. Chapman to the standing orders, which prohibited the raising of a subject that had been dealt with. The only way the subject could be raised. was by 'notice of motion being given. Mr. A. Fletcher: Could you not refer the question of by-law charges to a committee? » The chairman: “If Mr. Chapman wants to go on with this motion he must get three members to sign a motice of motion.” It would have to come before the next meeting of the board. Mr. Chapman: I am aware of the standing orders. I just asked a definite question. The chairman: In answer, I have to refer you to the standing orders. Mr. R. McKeen, M.P.: I think this matter is very, very urgent The chairman: So do I. Mr.- McKeen said he agreed with Mr. Fletcher’s suggestion. Secondmg a motion by Mr. Fletcher that a committee of the board be set up to investigate the question of revising the by-lavy charges, Mr. McKeen said the decision of the previous meeting made it necessary for the board to act and the suggested action was the only reasonable one. Agreement with the previous speakers was expressed by Mr. Eliott. The committee appointed was: The chairman, Hon. M. Fagan, M.L.C., Messrs. Chapman, Fletcher, W. H. Price, Eliott and T. R. Barter. Proposed Alterations. The recommendations of the committee which were rejected were as follows:— " . ~ . IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS. Increase inward wharfage on general goods from 3/9 to 4/- P e r ton ■••• 6,500 Increase inward wharfage on wool from lOd. to 1/- per bale. 300 Increase inward labour on timber by 2d. per 100 super 050 Increase inward wharfage on awkward and fragile packages and packages requiring extra labour. etc., from 5/9 to 6/6 per. ton .... 3,500 Increase transhipment rates on general goods from 4/- to 4/0 per ton 1,487 Increase transhipment rates on wool from lOd. to 1/- per bale 600 Increase transhipment rates on produce from 3/6 to 4/- per ton .... 1,285 Increase transhipment wharfage on awkward and fragile packages and packages requiring extra labour. from 6/- to 7/6 per ton 700 Increase outward wharfage on general goods at 1/6 per ton; butter, . cheese, and fresh fruit at' 1/- per ton; and tallow, pelts and hides at 1/3 per ton; by 6d. per ton .... 3,300 Increase outward wharfage on wool . from 6d. per. bale to. 86. per bale 830 Increase labour, charge on wool and general .'goods ex rail delivered to town ; wool from 4d. to 6d. per bale and general goods-from I/O to. 2/per ton ' 200 SHIPS. Increase the present pressing charge by 3d. per bale 990 Increase the charge for use of lifting plant so as to exclude the driver’s wages 4,120 Total £24,262