THE LARGER DOCK QUESTION.

Evening Star, Issue 11894, 23 May 1903, Page 7

THE LARGER DOCK QUESTION.

MEETING AT PORT CHALMERS.. A meeting of the ratepayers of Port Chalmers was held in the Town Hall last night to consider a proposal that the Council should assist in the construction of a larger dock. Mr D. A; De Maus (mayor) occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance. The Mayor said that it was very gratifying to see so many ratepayers taking an interest in this matter. The present dock had done justice to tho little town for many years, but it was now obsolete. The largest class of steamers was being built and coming to Port Chalmers, and if the prestige of the place was to be kept up a new dock vas absolutely necessary. (Applause.) When they considered that the Union Company had steamers that went away to other places to bo docked it would be seen- there was a losS ( to Port Chalmers. He desired to move—"That this meeting unanimously affirm that it is imperative to the progress and welfare of the town of Port Chalmers and the surrounding district, and, indeed, to the whole province of Otago, that a dock of a size sufficient to accommodate the largest vessels trading to this port be constructed without delay."—{Applause.) If they did hot get the dock, the day was not far distant when they would be paralysed to an extent, and be trusted the meeting would be unanimous on the point that a dock was necessary, and that they were going to get it.—(Applause.) Mr J. Watson, jun., in seconding the motion, said that there could be no two opinions among the people of Port Chalmers about the great, necessity for a larger dock. The whole province, he considered, was of the same opinion. An article appeared in the 'Evening Star' &lt evening, and the editor was evidently of that opinion, but he went into the question of ways and means. He (the speaker) thought that if the people of P»rt Chalmers backed up the Dock Trust and guaranteed the small amount required for interest, the Trust would be able to finance the scheme all right. Finance \\?£ always been the bugbear. For the last twenty years abortive ittempts had been made to construct a large dock, but lis believed that this time the people of Port Chalmers would rise to thi occasion and the project would be carried out successfully. (Applause.) Steamers were yearly being built larger and larger, and it was only a matter of time when very few of the Union Company's boats could be accommodated in the dock. It was therefore the duty of the ptople to see to it that a dock was obtained that was suited to the port.—(Applause.) Ho hoped very soon to see the first sod turned for the construction cf a new dock. He thought if the people stood shoulder to shoulder in the matter, despite what the editor of the ' Star' said, there was nothing to hinder the successful floating of a loan and the carrying out of the proposal.—(Applause.) The question was asked as to what size of dock it was proposed to build. The Mayor said that it. would be large enough to* accommodate the largest vessel that came to Port Chalmers. It would also be built in such a way that it could be lengthened at anv time. Mr Cable: The proposed dork will take in a. boat 525 ft. in length. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr J. Tait said that he was fully convinced that the outcome of the meeting would be that they vtould find a new dock, in Port Chalmers in a few years.—(Applause.) The resolution he had to move was as follows:—"That to ensure the construction of a large dock at Port Chalmers without unnecessary delay, this meeting are of opinion that the Corporation of the Bo;-ough of Port Chalmers should assist the Otago Dock Trust to raise the sum of £75,000 for the construction of the dock bv agreeing to guarantee the payment of the sum of £I,OOO per annum towards the interest of the said loan, provided the building of the dock be commenced within one year from this date; and, further, that in the event of this resolution being agreed to, the Borough of Port Chalmers secures two additional representatives on the Dock Trust."—(Applause.) He did not think that any person in Port Chalmers would understand that they had relinquished all claim on the Government. He held that their claim on the Government'was just as great as ever it was. When the Dock Trust had the matter prominently before them on a past occasion, Mr (now Sir) Robert Stout heard their representations, and then said: "Yes; we admit that there is a claim; but we think you have ample endowments." For any special privileges in connection with their dock they were indebted, not to the General Government, but to the Provincial Government of Otago, who made ample provision to secure that the dock and the shipping accommodation in Port Chalmers should not be crippled for went of sufficient funds, for all that paTt of Koputai Bay on which the wharves now stood was set apart as a reserve for dock purposes. .However, the Government had taken the reserve, and were making money out of it, and while they recently compensated the Harbor Bdard for land they took for railway station purposes in Dunedin, they had not yet compensated the Dock Trust, for the land taken in Koputai Bay.—(Applause.) No doubt the matter affected Otago as a whole, but they could not make much of that fact. They had never been able to get the Otago members as nnanimoas on the question as they ought to be, otherwise they would have had a new dock to-day. It was a matter that Dunedin as well us Port Chalmers was interested in. Three or four hundred men came from Dunedin every morning to work at Port Chalmers; indeed, as many working men who were interested in having a new dock resided in Dunedin as in Port Chalmers—(applause)—and that being so Dunedin ought to give practical support to the proposal. Unfortunately, however, they were not going to get it. He held that as the present dock .had built up an industry in Port Chalmers they ought not to allow that industry to perish, as it would do if they did not get a larger dock. —(Apf.lause.) Port Chalmers must rise to the occasoii, and it would get its dock. The people were asked to back the bill for £I,OOO, but it did not follow that they would be called on to pay that sum. He believ;d they would not be. The money would be found by the Dock Trust, ahd the.people, were simply asked to guarantee the interest, so that the financial world would be amply satisfied with the soundness of the project, and would give the Dock Trust the money on the most favor able terms.—(Applause.) An article appeared in the 'Evening Star,' in which the editor had evidently been led away bv the letter which appeared in the 'Star,' signed "Dunback." The gentleman who wrote that letter appeared to be very ignorant with regard to Port Chalmers. The speaker then referred to the finances of the borough, contending that as loans were falling due, thus bringing about a reduction in interest, and as tnc financial position was good, they were able to guarantee the sum asked for. The writer of the 'Star's' article assumed that because Prohibition was carried in Port Chalmers there must of necessity be an increase in the rates. This year their credit balance was over £4OO. They intended finishing the footpaths and spending £2OO or £3OO on metal for the roads. More work would be carried out in Port Chalmers in the way of permanent improvements than had been done for the last fifteen or sixteen years. The borough was in a splendid position. financially. Mr Cable, in seconding the motion, said that it was jjf the most vital importance to the t6Wn that they should have a large dock. They knew that some of the boats had been sold, and that others were being obtained to replace them that could not get into the existing dock, and if trade went on at the present rate they would find before long that the boats that were now the intercolonial boats would be the coastal boat*. The Government had not treated the Dock Trust fairly. The Otago members ought to have stood together firmly over the matter, and if they had done so some recompense would have been obtained for the action of the Government in taking the whole of-the frontage in Koputai Bay. Members of the City A ott » U !i 6 Chamber of Commerce, and the Harbor Board had spoken ajjprovinglj

of the project, an<f it was undeniable, if the prestige of the Port was to be maintained as the principal repairing port of New Zealand, that they.must strive to got their members to put a bold front on the matter. It, was admitted that repuirs done in Port Chalmers were done more expeditiously and cheaper than at any other port in New Zealand or in the Australian colonies.—(Applause.) He took it that the people of Port Chalmers were determined to have their dock.—(Applause.) Mr W. M. Innes agreed that a dock was required, but the question was how to get it. No man could get a house without money. The rates—(A Voice: "Are you ' Dunback' ?") —were now so heavy and the Dock Trust had so little "money that neither the Council nor the Trust could tuke che matter in hand in any shape or form. That being so, why should the work not be handed over to somebody who was able to Jo it? Why should the people of Port Chalmers be further loaded, and the interest they obtained on any money they nad saved taken from them? Those who had a little bit of money ought to stick to it. If the Corporation were flush of money why should they not pay? He believed that bud times were in store for Port Chalmers, and the people would need all their money. He would move as Bin amendment—" That instead of a vote of the ratepayer's being taken, a deputation of the Port Chalmers Council wait upon the Dork Trust asking them to consider if it would not be advisable to give over their powers to the Harbor Board—(uproar)—on the understanding that that body agree to build a dock at Port Chalmers within a certain time suitable for the requirements of the port: and if the Harbor Board are not agreeable to the proposition that the Dock Trust continue, and take what necessary steps they think best for the welfare of the port, without extra rates, unless a district rate could be arranged." Mr F. W. Platts said that whatever the meeting might decide to do, it was evident they were strongly of the opinion thev ought to have nothing to do with the Harbor Board in the way of handing over dock matters to them.—(Apt lause.) It was unfortunate that whenever they had a project in hand for the financin" of a dock the Press of Dunedin came down on them with a wot blanket. However, he wished to congratulate the ratepayers upon their I evident determination to put into practice the great principle of self-help, for he was satisfied that if they carried out the scheme that was before them that night they would have the satisfaction of seeing the dockcommenced within twelve months from that date.—(Applause.) The article in the 'Star' was based upon an entire nrsstatement of facts. If the ' Star' had taken the trouble to make a few inquiries into the ; real position in Port Chalmers thev would never have committed themselves to such a mistaken view as they had taken up that, night. If they wefe to go on as at present —if steamer after steamer could not be accommodated in the dock—the industry that had been built up in the course of time b.y the excellent workmanship of those concerned would disappear entirely. The question was really this : Were "thev justified in taking upon themselves the 'burden of guaranteeing £I,OOO a year towards the interest on the cost of the construction of a dock? He said they were, and he said so because their revenue was buoyant, and, in fact, had never before been in" such a good position. As soon as it was determined to raise the loan, or, at anv rate, when the loan was in Port Chalmers would advance 20 per cent, at least. (A Voice: "No," and applause.) The construction of a dock meant permanent prosperity for Port Chalmers. It meant that the shipping trade and the shipbu'lding industry would remain permanently, and "even if they were called upon to pay "a rate they would be in a position to do so. because there would be work for the workers and tenants for the cottages and prosperity pll round.—(Applause.) After several questions had been answrrod the motion was put and carried without opposition. A Voice: The amendment. The Chairman said he could not put the amendment, as it had not been seconded Mr W. Fail said he would second the amendment to test the feelino- of the meeting. The Chairman .- It is too late now.