HARBOUR PROFITS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 July 1924, Page 6

HARBOUR PROFITS

COULD WHABFACE BE DEDUCED I

“I challenge the next estimates if they are on the same basis,” declared Mr D. Tennent at last evening s monthly meeting of *the Greymouth Harbour Board, when the adoption of the annual estimates (already published) was moved by the Chairman (Mr J. Steer). ' The Chairman had said that the estimates had already been considered, and he moved their adoption. “We are taking too much away from the district,” continued Mr Tennent. He thought it was ridiculous that there should be carried forward a profit of 33 per cent on their revenue, when it was being let out at the rate of 4 per cent. He claimed that it would be more beneficial to al] concerned, if there were a reduction in the dues.

“Where are you going to get a reduction that would do any good?” asked the Chairman. Mr Tennent said that a third could be taken off wharfage and dues. “That would mean a debit instead of a credit,” said Mr Steer.

“We are asking the shippers for favours and give them nothing in return,” said Mr Tennent. “Yes,” replied the Chairman, “but they ask us for shillings and give us pence! ’ ’ Mr Tennent remarked that under present circumstances revenue was much over expenditure. The gross revenue was £51,000 and there was a credit of £17,000. “We are taking far too muc out of the district,” reiterated Mr Tennent. “There ought to be far better facilities for the shippers.” “Can you show me where a reduction is going to benefit the pub.K asked the Chairman. Mr Tennent said that it would be making better use of their money, and that would mean an increase in revenue.

The Chairman said that the Board was getting a report on the harbour, which would mean an increase probably in their expenditure. If the Board had gone on with its protection works all the money it had in the bank would have been used. The request made that evening regarding both tip ends was an instance. He agreed with Mr Tennent up to a certain point, but did, not see how making a reduction was going to help at all. If they went along taking 3d off coal and Id off timer, and so on. they would be living on bread and butter!

Mr Tennent stated that ten per cent could easily be taken off the. wharfage on timber and coal, and it should be done. He would be prepared that night to move that a ten per cent reduction be made, as an earnest of the Board’s good faith to the public. The Chairman said that it would be best in the meantime to pursue the same policy as they had followed in the past. During the year, the Board could go into the question of making a. reduction. If it were at all possible it would certainly be done. The estimates were adopted.

The Finance Committee’s report for the past month, presented by the Chairman of the ’ Committee (Mr J. McLean) stated that the following accounts had been received since last meeting : —Wharfages £1124 4/4, shipping dues £472 4/3, royalties £ll3 3/, interest £9l 18/3, rent £3 1/, secial rate on coal £244 1/, sale of hardwood and old rope £6 11/6; total £2055 3/4. The balances on the various accounts were as follow: —General Account Cr. £11,534 13/11, Insurance Fund Account Cr. £13,245, Special Rate on Coal Account Cr. £6,322 98/. The Harbour Fund Account had a credit balance of £5,857 3/7; fixed deposits £25,245. Accounts amounting to £3,964 4/9 were passed for payment.