OKAIN'S BAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXX, Issue 8578, 4 September 1888, Page 6

OKAIN'S BAY.

IMPROVED WHARFAGE ACCOMMODATION. ‘ *

A meeting of ratepayers was lie’d on Saturday in the Public Library, .to consider tue question of improving.- the wharfage accommodation, Mr J. E. Thacker in the chair. The attendance was not so large as the importance of the question warranted. At the same time the settlers are tolerably unanimous as to the great necessity and utility of extending the present wharf, to make it capable of receiving the steamers alongside. . Mr James Hay, Chairman of the, County Council, was present. He suggested that the funds could be got under tfce Loans to Local Bodies Act, 18S6, at about (3 per cent, repayable with sinking fund in twenty-six years. Mr George .Mason, Chairman to the Road Board, and Mr W. Thacker, a member, reported hayiog ascertained that by extending the ] resent jetty three chains; four feet akUt onal water could be obtained, or five feet by extending it four chains, Aa offer of suitable icon piles was considered, and it was resolved that these be inspected and reported upon. The price was considered very moderate, also that they were preferable to .wooden piles. It is generally conceded that .£3OO will cover incidental and principal costs. Some of the present wooden, piles are getln g the worse for wear. Mr W illiam Thacker, however, has generously offered to giver - sufficient totara for now ones if cut and drawn from the land. The Chairman, Mr Hay, . and others spoke of the present and future advantages of the extension to the district, Mr Hay stating that he considered that since there had been wharfage at Pigeon Bay it had enhanced the price of land J2l per acre.' • Ifc was incidentally hinted that efforts would probably be made shortly to connect with the Head of the Bay by telephone; then, if steamers were able to come alongside, a telegram could be received-and ebecp. &c., sent into market in one day. This would undoubtedly bo a great' boon-to settlers here, and soon help to raise the value of property. As it is necessary to have, the consent of two-thirds of the ratepayers to raising a loan, various gentlemen present undertook to canvass for signatures, Mr C. Moore, Clerk to the Board, drawing up the petition. A vote of thanks was carried to Mr Hay for his assistance, and a similar compliment to Mr Thacker. The meeting adjourned until Saturday next at 2 p.m.