NO INCREASE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21980, 26 March 1946, Page 3

NO INCREASE

HARBOUR RATES ESTIMATES FOR YEAR RENEWAL OF SEA WALLS There is to he no increase in the rates to be levied by the Gisborne Harbour Board for the year ended September 30, 1946. This was pointed out in the report of the works and finance committee submitted to the members of the Gisborne Harbour Board at its monthly meeting yesterday. A rate of thirteen-sixteenths of one penny in the pound is to be imposed to meet the deficiency of ,£41,305. This Is the same rate as levied last year.

The estimated expenditure for the financial year ending September 30, 1940, totals £84,043. an increase on the actual expenditure of last year of £3361. The major items in the current year's estimates are the western wall and Waikanae Beach wall renewal, £5500. the operation and maintenance of the dredge A.C., £SOOO, and the launch Takitimu, £IBOO. Interest and loan repayment instalments will amount to £54,130, exchange and charges on interest payments to £3160, and the sinking fund of the 1924-54 loan £1570.

The estimated receipts for the year ending September 30, 1946, total £42,738, leaving a deficiency of £41,305 to be met by a levied rate. Wharfage fees of £13.000 are the biggest Rem in the estimated receipts, while rents ot £7663, outstanding rates of £4350, and a withdrawal from the general reserve to meet the cost of .the renewal of the western wall and the Waikanae basin wall are the other major items. These estimates were adopted by the board.

The report of the works committee also mentioned that tenders had been called for the renewal of the western wall and the Waikanae basin wall. The committee had sought the assistance of Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., in bringing the matter of sales tax before the Minister of Finance. Mr. W. Nash, when the removal of sales tax on certain articles is being reviewed. The sales tax on the piling required for the renewal work is 20 per cent, and on an estimated value of £3600, this Will mean over £7OO to the board. Mr. C. H. Williams suggested that Mr. W. Sullivan, M.P. for the Bay of Plenty, also should be asked to bring the matter before the Minister of Finance, and this .course was adopted by the board.

The total sum in rates collected by the board before the imposition of the 10 per cent additional charge on February 28 was £41,973 out of £42,933 levied. This was 97.76 per cent, as against 97.56 per cent last year, stated the secretary, Mr. E. A. Khull, in his report to the board. During the month repairs were carried out to the Kaiti wooden wharf and to the two mud grabs of the dredge A.C. Two fishing vessels were handled at the main‘Slipway.

On March 14 the board’s maintenance staff was conveyed to the Gable End light in the launch Takitimu. to service and change the cylinders, stated the report of the harbourmaster, Captain G. McK. Smart. The launch was also engaged in taking running soundings, shifting and laying moorings, ancl on pilot work. During the two months, January 25 to March 21, 22 ships of a total tonnage of 7023 net worked the port. During the six months just ended 72 vessels worked the poit, a decrease of four vessels on the same time of the previous year. There was, however, an increase of two cargo vessels, concluded the report, which was adopted by the board.