The Harbor Crisis.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 207, 11 October 1888, Page 3

The Harbor Crisis.

Al the Harbor Board meeting on Tuesday •vening Mr Bell’s opinion on the Amending Act was read. The opinion was in effect the same as Mr DeLautour’s, any slight difference not being of much importance in the present circumstances. The main point was that Mr Bell said they were asking a lawyer to give an opinion on an unworkable Act, and he advised them not to take a poll upon it. With regard to the Government taking over the money, Mr Bell was of opinion that they would be acting within their powers in doing so, however objectionable such action might be, and this opinion was fully endorsed by Mr DeLautour. Mr DeLautour was present, ana explained to members the different points. In reply to Mr Dickson, be said that it there were any surplus wharfages it could not be applied to the reduction of the special rate. Jt must be raised intact, but relief would be given by a reduction of the general rat«. u In reply to Mr Gannon. Mr DeLautour said that the voting must in effect be open vot-

ing. He also said tfapy had no voice in handing over the money to the Public Trustee, They were bound to do so, with the exception of £40,000. The principal once invested by the Trustee could no; be put Wm Crete again unless by Act of P&rlia Mr DeLautour said that with regard resolution passed at the previous faceting, it was a matter for to decide under their own rules of procedure, but if they decided cn going on with the poll he would be glad to assist in every way Mr Chambers called attention to the resolution which bad been passed at the previous meeting authorising the Chairman to take steps to have a poll of the ratepayers. He (the speaker) was absent, but at the previous meeting a proposal that a poll immediately |aken was negatived. At a subs* quent meeting jt wag brought up again, and he thought it was wrongly put; that it was illegal jn effect because notice of motion should have been given. He would move a resolution that »t .either be declared void or rescinded that nuht, and that steps be taken in such B way that there could be no question as to the legality of taking the poll. Whatever Steps they took they should be absolu’ely certhey were correct, and if th**y to ’k

the poll with the initial donbt as to whether the proposition ».t carried in the proper wav er not it might lead to endlee* trouble H a poll were to be taken it should be done in a proper end legal manner. The question of taking a poll, m seen from Mr Bell's report, wee a far more serious matter than they were aware of a month ago. It would be worse than useless to take a poll un’ess they were certain the ratepayers would consent. He (bought they should hrst call informal meetings of ratepayers and test the feeling, and if it was against the works being carried on not to take the poll all, but to leave the matter stand over until Parliament met. If they found the majority of ratepayers were in favor of the works going on a poll should be taken as soon as possible. The Chairman agreed that it was the proper course to rescind the motion, - ifr Chambers moved, and Mr Gannon seconded, ‘‘That a resolution agreed to at the last meeting of the Board with reference Io taking a poll of the ratepayers bo repoinded,*' Carried unanimously. Mr Chambers also proposed that informal meetings be hold within the special dietriot M test the feelings of the ratepayers on the question, but subsequently withdrew his proposition on ths suggestion of Mr De hauteur, who was afraid it might commit them to further action. Mr Chambers than said meetings could bo held without a resolution pi the Board. ■lt was resolvedfl.) That the Chairman be instructed to publicly intimate that the meetings summoned to consider a proposal to expe d £40,000 under the Act of 1888 are postponed tint 4u. (9.) That the Chairman be Instructed to intimate to the Presiding Officer that the B -iard has decided io postpone the consideration of tbs proposal to expend £40,000 under Ito Aot of {BBB rise die.