THAT DOCK MEETING.

Evening Star, Issue 11896, 26 May 1903, Page 2

THAT DOCK MEETING.

TO THB EDITOR.

Sir,—l was rather surprised at the mayor (Mr D. A. I>e Maus), chairman of the meeting on Friday night, not allowing the amendment of Mr Innes to be put. 1 presume his reason was that he wanted no opposition to the views of himself and the few gentlemen who term themselves the Progressive League, hence his ruling that Mr Innes’s amendment was not seconded' in time. Now, Mr De Maus, nho has previously occupied the mavnral chair of the borough, ought to know (if he does not know already) that no motion or amendment can be discussed until seconded. How differently he acted in the two resolutions and the amendment.' As soon ns Mr De Mans moved 1 the first resolution he called upon Mr Watson to second it, and when Mr Tait moved the second proposition the chairman called upon Mr Cable to second it. But with the amendment, instead of asking if there was any seconder, he allowed Mr Platts to disime the question therein raised—viz., that they ought to have nothing to do with the Heritor Board, and that the ‘Star’s’ ar‘rile was misleading. If Mr Platts alluded to (he letters which had appeared rimed “ Dunbuck” .and “Forward” in res' 'fence to the rites, Mr Platts, as the t'o-1 -oration’s solicitor, must be well aware • . iho general rate is Is 3d, water rate . "d. and that a sanitary rate of 6d in ■ £ for forty-two years have been struck tl.v Council. The latter rate would ' '■• been in force at the present time if : ’’ ' sanitary pans had been supplied to the i ■... in January last, as was expected, so Hie 6d rate will be payable as goon e that work is finished. Now, in referto tha revenue likely to be lost by 11-e abolition of licenses and the rateable 'flue of hotels—£36o, as Cr Tait abated—ean it possibly be made; up bv increased water supply to shipping? I consider that very doubtful, considering the great improvements in the Upper Harbor, so that the Union Company’s largest intercolonial boat (the Moernki) and the Aparima, the largest ship of their fleet, can go to town. The latter vessel, I understand, with nearly 2,500 tons of coal, can proceed to Dunedin, discharge there, load, take in her supply of water, and proceed direct to sea pn her voyage. What chance, then, is there of sneh an increase from water? I shall not be surprised if the Harbor Board lake the ratepayers of Port Chalmers at their word, and, instead of assisting them to build a dock at Port Chalmers, seek to build one in the Upper Harbor. It is well known the Dock Trust have not ■ufficient endowments or revenue to pay rveu a fourth part of the interest on the arojcctedj loan. A? a property-holder in Port Chalmers I should be very sorry to see such a project carried out.—l am, etc., Property-holder. May 25. P.S.—As soon as Mr Platte had finished, and-a-few had been asked, the chairman put the motion, and declared it carried. Many in the hall were of opinion that the amendment had been seconded, but were denied the opportunity of voting on it- Was that fair? °