THE MERGER BILL.

Evening Star, Issue 13099, 4 November 1908, Page 6

THE MERGER BILL.

Cr Tnit, of Port Chalmers, submitted tho following report to his Council regarding his visit to Wellington in connection with the Alcrgsr Bill; I have the honor to report that during the five days I was in Wellington a great deal of my time was taken up iu conferences with Air E. G. Allen, ALP., and the representatives and legal advisors of the Otago Harbor Board and Dock Trust. Alter a good deal of discussion, during which the idea of getting entirely relieved of the • guarantee had to be abandoned, the following propositions were put forward by me as a basis of agreement, Air J. H. Hosking, K.C., drafting the clauses for insertion in the Bill : Clause 16 of the Bill to be altered as follows : Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, upon payment in ally year by the Corporation of" Port Chalmers of any sum of money, in terms of the deed set forth in the first schedule hereto, the Harbor Board shall in every such case forthwith refund the Corporation of Port Chalmers one-half of the sum so paid. The folio tying new clauses to be added to Bill: No expenses incurred in dredging any part of the harbor, whether at the entrance of the new dock or elsewhere, or for reclamation purposes or otherwise, or in depositing dredging material on the endowments which are vested in the Harbor Board on the date of merging, shall be charged as annual expenses (dock account), but interest at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum on the amount of any other expenses of reclaiming such endowments, not being expenses incurred in dredging, may be so charged. Until the recreation reserve belonging to the Corporation of Port Chalmers, and situated in Alussel Bay, on the east side of the Port Chalmers railway line, has been reclaimed so as to be available for recreation purposes, that portion of the Dock Trust endowment situated in Alussel Bay, on the west side of the said railway line, shall be kept available for use as a recreation ground as heretofore, under the control of the Corporation of Port Chalmers.

In the case of every lease or tenancy hereafter created of tho said cool stores, or anv part thereof, such provision shall be made as the leasing authority shall deem sufficient to prevent the stores, while let, from being disused, or from being used for any other purpose than cool stores, and every such lease or tenancy shall bo made conditional on the observance of such provisions. Finally, the representatives of the Harbor Board agreed to the alteration of clause 16 of the Bill, as above, no other alteration to be made in the Bill except some technical ones. But the following understanding was come to on the other points raised : (1) No charge to be made against dock account for any dredging which may be required after contractor'has finished his contract. (2) The Harbor Board to be recommended to grant to the Corporation of Port Chalmers the use of that part of the dock endowment formilTg portion of Alussel Bay recreation grounds, until such time as the Corporation’s «Ttfn grounds have been reclaimed. (3) Afi GODn as the consent of the Alarine Department has been obtained to the reclamation of the under-water endowments in Koputai, Carey, and Mussel Bays, the same to be recommended to the Harbor Board’s favorable consideration. (4) In the event of the cool stores being leased, provision to be mads to prevent same being closed. On the above understanding, I, on yxmr behalf, pave my assent to the Bill as amended before the Local Bills Committee and understand the Bill was passed in that form and reported to the House. In conclusion, I have to acknowledge the great assistance received from Air Hoskins. K.C., solicitor for the Dock Trust 111 the negotiations with the Harbor Board representatives, also the courtesy and goodfeeling extended to me by all. Air E. G. Allen had an admittedly difficult position, but I found him most solicitous and anxious for the welfare of our port.