OTAGO PUBLIC WORKS.

Evening Star, Issue 6472, 13 December 1883, Page 2

OTAGO PUBLIC WORKS.

A meeting of iho Chamber of Commence was hold this morning for the purpose of conferring %dth the Hon. the Minister of Public Works on several subjects of public interest. Mr George Bell (chairman of the Chamber) presided, and among those present were—the Hon, W. H. Reynolds, Captain Scott, Messrs E, B, Cargill, G. Turnbull, D. Stronach, R, Wilson, E, H, Leary, W, 0. Kirkcaldy, J. Roberts, T. Brown, W. 0. Philp, A. H. Ross, J. T. Mackerras, R. Gillies, J, M.. Ritchie, 0. ». Reeves, J. M. Jones, The. Hon. Mr Mitchels'on was accompanied by Mr W. N. Blailr, Engineer for the Middle Island. t , The Chaibman said: I regret that through a paragraph that has been published in one of the morning papers under some mistake the attendance of membei s should not be larger than it Is; still, Z trust that the Minister will appreciate the situation and excuse the smallness of the attendance, which is due to the impression that he would not be in town this morning. Permit me to thank you cordially for the prompt and decisive response to the telegram 1 had the honor to send you respecting the dismissal of men from the Hindon section of the Otago Central Railway. The publication of your telegram in the daily journals of this City prevented the apprehension beginning to be felt that the Government did not intend vigorously prosecuting the work. I have also to thank yott for Jrohr cohrtesy in acceding to my request tb meet this Chamber in tjjeir own hall; and brl behalf of the merchants of the . City I giVe yoiia hearty welcome, and hope that your visit to the South Island will tend to cordial relations with the Government in regard to those important works necessary for the development of the rapidly changing conditions of commerce. These changes necessarily involve corresponding mechanical arrangements, Those methods which sufficed for bush oi' metalled roads are inadequate for the more fully developed traffic by means of railroads, and the substitution of steam vessels for sailing ships demand corresponding means of rapidly unloading and loading of vessels. It is thus scarcely possible to keep pace with the demand for wharves, docks, and other various contrivances for facilitating the export and import of goods excepting by the co-operation in their construction by the Government with the authorised bodies in the larger porta. Government aid is absolutely necessary in the present infant condition of the Colony, and under that conviction I am requested to draw your attention to some of the outgrowths of past administration, which bear unfairly upon our trade and tend to delay its natural development, as well as to some measures within your department that we consider of colonial as well as local importance. In doing so I wish it to be clearly understood that this Chamber has no political motive to servo. In the preds I had the honor to send you enumerating the subjects proposed to ask your attention to were references to Harbor Board finance and the graving dock reserve; but the Committee of the Chamber considerately decided that, in view of the short time that has elapsed since the Harbor Board was elected, it would not be advisable on our parts to interfere with their functions, I therefore pass on to what has been frequently and with justice protested against by this Chamber—the difference in harbor dues levied upon goods landed at the wharves at Port Chalmers and Dunedin. The difference in favor of Port Chalmers was originally conceded to a private firm in consideration of their constructing the wharves at Port Chalmers, and keeping them In repair. It was but reasonable at that time that the promoters should be reimbursed a fair interest for the money Invested; but when those wharves became public property the equity of the case demanded that that profit, whatever it amounted to, should be appropriated to the improvement of the Port or in fostering the commerce from which that revenue is derived, Instead of that, the idea which has tended throughout New Zealand to be detrimental to its progress baa been acted upon, That fallacy is that railways should be made a source of profit to the Government, who are to be regarded as having similar duties with the directors of private companies/ instead of esteeming railways as the best and cheapest means of distribution of goods. Thus every concession granted for special purposes to a private company has been claimed by the Railway Department on the lines passing into their hands, We have thus the Railway Department claiming that all goods landed at the wharves at Poit Chalmers should be charged considerably less wharfage dues than those brought up to Dunedin. Two results follow, which are both detrimental to the interests of the Port. First, the difference of dues going into railway revenue tends to swell the profit of that Department. If this amount were expended in harbor improvement, although the folly of two independent departments pursuing the same object would be manifest, small harm would result. But it is not. It Is absorbed in the general railway revenue, and withdrawn Irom local use and expended elsewhere. Secondly, a certain sum must of necessity be raised by the Harbor Board for payment of interest on its liabilities, and, In proportion to t;he reduced revenue from goods landed at Port Chalmers, an additional rate must be levied upon goods landed at Dunedin. The Port Is therefore mulcted of revenue which should be expended locally and taxed additionally to make up the deficiency. The mere statement of this should be sufficient to demonstrate the injustice, the removal of which, I trust, you will aid us in endeavoring to obtain. We are glad to find that the Government has placed a lighthouse on Waipapa Point, and that it is nearly ready for use. But the investigations into the causes of the last two disastrous shipwrecks that have occurred there have disclosed the fact that the extent and dangers of the reef are imperfectly known. I shall leave to Captain Scott, whose professional knowledge enables him to deal with the subject exhaustively, to explain to you the necessity for an accurate survey being made of that part of the coast, ho having the further opportunity of ascertaining it through having acted on two inquiries regarding it. I will not trespass upon your time further than expressing the satisfaction I feel at the prospect of the speedy completion of the railway station at Dunedin, and of the arrangements for crossing the line In lieu of closing Jetty street on the level. I know some members of this Chamber differ from me in that respect, and I do not assume in this matter to bo the mouthpiece of the Chamber, At the same time, I may express my individual conviction that at no distant day the inhabitants of the City will bo convinced that the best arrangement that could bo made has been made. About twelve months ago the attention of your predecessor was called to the serious loss and inconvenience sustained by the Harbor Board and their tenants through the delay that has occurred in moving the rails from Crawford street to their ultimate position. Several proposals were submitted to Mr Johnston, which were not acceded to because of probable danger to the public ; but the inconvenience remains. I hope now that you attention is drawn to it some means will be devised for mitigating or removing it, la conclusion, I would merely express the gratification of this Chamber at the prospect of the Otago Central Railway being proceeded with energetically. I have spoken of most matters in general terms, being quite willing to believe that the officers of the Department can receive no instructions from mo In carrying out the various works alluded to in the best and most economic manner. There may be other matters that claim your attention, and I have no doubt if bo you will give a patient hearing to any member who wishes to Introduce them.

Captain Scott said there could bo no doubt but that the lighthouse at Waipapa Point was urgently required. At the last inquiry into a wreck which occurred in that vicinity there was some doubt as to whether the vessel struck on that point or on a reef between it and Slope Pointj anyway, the lighthouse was of immeme

importance, and its speedy completion was absolutely necessary. With it and With the circulation of sailing directions of vessels would bo enabled to navigate the coast without danger, 'dtpeclally if the Government would supplement these by causing a survey and fcoundings along that put of the coast line to be taken. If sailing directions and a chart of the soundings 0 olfculated in the colonies and at SOM6 the masters would be able to keep qinle clear of the dangers on the coast. Mr Cargill said ho wished to make a few remarks by way of emphasising _ what the chairman had alluded to in bis opening speech. As the Minister was doubtless aware, the Harbor Board had, recently been entirely reconstituted, and one of its first duties was to review, the financial position and to ascertain the amount of revenue available to pay interest on loans and provide the necessary establishments for the wants of the harbor. Improvements were absolutely necessary to bring the port up to the state of efficiency requisite to accommodate the ships of the large class now coming in, and to effect these the works already prop.sod would have to be carried out, and even to a further extent. To meet these wants the new Board had to look for a source cf in. mediate revenue; and then they were met by the extraordinary position of affairs that they had handed over to them a number of works which were of the utmost necessity, they had expenditure to meet, and yet their revenue was falling short. The solution naturally was to increase the harbor rates; but then they were met by the anomaly that by so doing they would be reducing their revenue. By an Act of last session of Parliament It was established that there should be a difference of about one-half between the rates chargeable on goods landed at Dunedin and at Port Chalmers, and the inevitable result of an extra rate Would be to divert goods to Port Ohalmersi . The position was so absurd that lie felt siirO If it was brought properly beforb Parliament It could not fail to be set right. Speaking generally regarding the Minister’s visit, he was sure that toe residents of Dunedin were pleased to see him, and he thought that it would be to their greater satisfaction if a Minister oould make more frequent visits down this way, or if access to headquarters could be more readily gained. This community was at a great disadvantage since the removal of the seat of authority to Wellington, the entire removal of responsible administration having very serious drawbacks. At present everything had to be done by correspondence that was to say, everything requiring the Interference of the Government and after waiting soma time all that was obtained was a reply from some irresponsible officer who had no sympathy with their requirements. It would be a great improvement if a Minister could be more frequently among them, or better still if a member of the Government could be stationed here permanently, so that he could deal at onoe with any matter that came up. It would not do, however, to have a gentleman who would say of everything: “ This matter is not within my department } I must refer it to my colleagues in Wellington,”—(Loud applause). Mr TdbnßuLl endorsed the reiharka of the previous speakbl, ahd expressed the opinion that the Railway Department also required a thorough overhauling. Considerable loss and great delay were occasioned to the mercantile community by the dilatory manner in which that department was conducted. Mr Gillies said a matter of great importance, inasmuch as it formed a msnaoe to life in addition to inconvenience to the public, was the required removal of the railway crossing at Rattray street. He had once or twice been within an ace of being killed, and the dray traffic was much impeded. They had received specious promises that this would be remedied years ago, but they never heard any more of it. Mr Koss remarked with regard to the differential harbor rates that they were not the outcome of recent legislation, but of the Empowering Act of 1875. The Hon. Mr Reynolds said the difference in the harbor rates wollld nttt be tolerated in any other port ill tbe Oolohy; it would not bo put uj) with for &u instant at Lyttelton, Wellington, or Auckland—and why should Dunedin be put in such a position ? They ought to let the Government know that they were not going to submit to such a state of things, for there was no doubt but that Dunedin was doubly handicapped thereby. Mr Reeves thought that Instead of spending LIO.OOO or L 12.000 in providing wharf accommodation at Port Chalmers more wharfage should be provided at Dunedin, where the sailing vessels would shortly be coming up to regularly, and thereby relieve the wharves at the Port. Mr Ritchie, as a new member of the Harbor Board, endorsed what bad fallen from Mr Cargill, and had no hesitation in saying that it was a monstrous injustice that the condition of affairs was such as obtained. He also thought that the railway traffic rates on grain and other goods should be equalised. The Hon. Mr Mitohblson, in replying, expressed his thanks for the kind manner In which his visit had been alluded to, and said it gave him very great pleasure to come down to Dunedin and the Southern districts; not only did he value the kindness with which he had been received, but also the knowledge of localities and districts which he had visited ; because the latter would be of the utmost importance to him in enabling him to deal in a practical manner with matters which would come before him respecting those districts. With reference to the harbor dues, he quite agreed that they heavily and severely handicapped Dunedin, but there was little doubt but that they were carried out in the Interests of the Railway Department, The Department looked to revenue, and by causing goods to be landed at Port Chalmers and brought by rail to Dunedin they made their accounts look better. It was not a matter for the Government to deal with, but for the House. An attempt was made by the Government last session to alter the state of affairs, but they were defeated; ho had no doubt that it would receive due attention if brought up again, but the defeat was probably the fault of some of their own Otago members —there was a division In the camp, and their own members were to blame. {Hear, hear.) As to the railway station, there seemed to be some misapprehension as to the amount to be spent on it. Although L 250.000 was voted for the whole work, nothing like that amount was required for the station building. After providing for the reclamation, formation of streets, ballasting and plate-laying, goods-sheds, and the bridge, only L 20,000 was allowed for the station-buildings, and he did not think that was an extravagant sum for a railway station for a city like Dunedin.—(Applause.) A good many people appeared to think that tbe bridge was unnecessary, but he was satisfied that it would be of considerable use. if not at once in time to come, for the traffic would soon Increase to such an extent that Rattray street would get blocked, and thus the traffic must go over this bridge. Concerning the removal of the station, that oould not be done till the building was erected; tenders for the foundation were being prepared, and would be out within a week, and as soon as that was done the structure itself would be proceeded with. The plans and elevations of the same were in the room for their Inspection, and he thought they would show that the station would be commodious, and at the same time an ornament to the City,— (Hear, hoar.) The lighthouse question he was not very well acquainted with, but he had listened carefully to all Captain Scott had said, and would bring It before the Minister of Marine, who would, ho was sure, feel justified in carrying out Captain Scott’s suggestions. As to the Otago Central Railway, they knew his views on that matter, and be need not repeat them. He might say, however, that the work was being proceeded with as rapidly as possible, and would continue so to be, — (Applause,) The Chairman proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Minister for the kind attention which he had given to the meeting. _ The vote was carried by acclamation.