ASTONISHING!

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 83, 4 October 1929, Page 8

ASTONISHING!

THE FISHING WHARF

COMMISSION'S REPORT

ES tSTETJCTIOjStS IGNOEED

All speakers at. last evening's meeting of the City* Council upon the old, old subject of the fishermen's wharf at Island Bay expressed astonishment that the Commission, Messrs. F. "W. Furkert and G. Godfrey, set up to advise the council in the matter, had gone outside the order of reference and had recommended- that the -wharf should be constructed on the eastern side of the bay, the council having definitely instrncted the Commission that that location .was not acceptable.

The president and secretary of the district association, Mr. G. 33. C. Jackinan and Mr. A; B. Croker, presented to the council a petition signed by 1203 adult residents of Island Bay asking that the council should re-affirm its decision of 13th December, 1928, that the eastern side of the bay should not be granted for use of. a fishing wharf. . $ •

So large a petition, said Mr. Croker, might w^Jl be regarded as. representing the views of the residents of Island Bay:

The Mayor said that no doubt all councillors, with himself, were surprised with "the -finding of the Commission, which had ignored the council's instructions that the eastern side of the bay should not be used for the erection of a wharf and. had brought in a recommendation outside the order of reference and directly opposed to the council's instruction. The finding was all the more astonishing when the evidence taken by the Commission was examined, for the chairman had warned witnesses that the Commission had no power to deal with the eastern side. Yet after refusing to hear evidence, the Commissioners had brought down their recommendation for a wharf on the eastern side. It was difficult to see 3ust how they had come to that •decision. Councillor M'Keen: "It is quite obvious that they did not follow the order of reference.'" The Mayor said that he did not think that the council should come to any decision at the moment, but should give the matter the most careful consideration. BEYOND TJNDEBSTANDING. Eeturning to the Commissioners having warned witnesses that the eastern side was ruled out, Mr. Troup quoted from the report of the evidence taken:— Mr. Shorland: "We have not to ■fight the matter of the east beach again." Mr. Furkert: "No, that is definitely settled." Naturally Mr. Shorland and other witnesses present, continued Mr. Troup had not referred to the east beach, and how the Commission could bring down a repoit recommending a wharf on. that side was beyond understanding. He thought that the course which the council should take should be, as recommended by the Commission, to make a determined effort to appoint someone to see that the bylaws were enforced. An incinerator should be erected so that the fishermen could have no excuse for allowing fish heads, etc., to- pollute the beach. The question of the erection of a wharf could be considered later, but as far as the eastern side was concerned, he thought that the council's mind was definitely made up. Under no consideration would the council agree to a wharf on the eastern side of the bay.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION.

Councillor G. Mitchell said the report put the council back years. Instead of helping them, the Commission had thrown the council back where it was at -the start. The Commission had seemed to consider the fishermen, and not the residents, who would not agree to the wharf going on the eastern side. He moved: "That in view of the fact that the eastern side of the bay was definitely placed outside of the order of reference, that that portion of the recommendation be not given effect to; that until a decision is arrived •at as to where the wharf is to be erected a Bpecial officer of the council be appointed to see that the beach and surroundings are keptclean."

Councillor B. G. H. Burn seconded the motion.

Councillor R. M' Keen said that sn view of the fact that the Commission had gone outside the order of reference, the council would be quite in order in just receiving the report. That would not bind the council. The council had to consider ways and means of alleviating the nuisance, and he suggested the council should appoint officers to see that the bylaws were enforced. Councillor B. A- Wrigat agreed with the idea to receive the report, but he said that the Commission must have had some good reason for adopting the eastern side. The western side was impossible, and the Commission had only the aerial scheme on the eastern side. Councillor Mitchell: "They had no right to go outside the order of reference." ' Councillor Wright: '^What could they'have done then?" x The Mayor: "Refer it back to the council.'' Councillor Wright agreed that the eastern side was hopeless. The only thing to do' in the meantime was to police the beach. What the ultimate solution would be he could not say. That it was a very Berious question was the view of Councillor B. Semple, who said the council should give the public a considered opinion on the subject. He suggested the matter be left over, and in the meantime the City Solicitor should draw up regulations for the. control of the fishing industry, and those regulations should be considered with the report, at a special meeting, when the whole thing should be cleared up. Councillor W. H. Bennett, stressed the importance of the rocks and the level portion of the Island Bay beach as a pleasure resort, to which parents took their children in the summer months, and suggested that the best place to which the industry might be taken was Paremata. ,

MAYOR'S MOTION,

The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) moved an amendment to the effect that bylaws should be drawn up and the beach patrolled, and an incinerator erected.

The amendment was seconded.

Councillor T. C. A. Hislop said that he would like to add to the Mayor's amendment that the matter be then considered by a special meeting.The Mayor said he agreed. Councillor Mitchell said it was apparent they were all of one mind, and he was prepared to withdraw his motion.

The Mayor then moved: "That we request the City Solicitor to prepare explicit bylaws to keep the beach clean; that on these being" prepared a special meeting of the council be called to consider the bylaws and the report of the Commilsion, and then to proceed to appoint an officer to patrol the beach; and to erect an incinerator; and the matter of tho erection of the wharf be left over for further consideration."

The motion yna eatxied ■jwurimonsly.