PICTON HARBOR.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 63, 15 March 1911, Page 5

PICTON HARBOR.

AN IMPORTANT MEETING,

Our Picton correspondent writes that -an important mooting took place last evening, when Mr John Duncan, M.P. met a combined meeting of the Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of «onsidering the matter of asking the Government for certain harbor rights and forming a Harbor Board. The Mayor (Dr. Redman)), who presided, in a few words welcomed Mr Duncan, and explained! to those present the object of the meeting. Mr Duncan stated that he had communicated with Mr Millar, Minister for Railways, in reference to the date on which he could drive the first pile of the new wharf, but up to the present no date could be fixed1. Continuing, Mr Duncan said that in respect to 'endowments Marlborough was very unfortunately situated'; we were singularly free from them, though nearly every other province had been bountifully provided for. He then Tead a list prepared in 1892 of endowments and moneys spent by- the Public Works and Railway Departments in connection with harbors throughout the Dominion. Picton was in a very insignifieat position with the sum 'of £94 having been spent on the harbor, against, for instance, Hokitika's £58,000. The Provincial Government had handed over most valuable concessions to the Government, p,nd received nothing in return. Valuable reserves had also been taken away, and the question now was whether t*> ask for a Harbor! Board or not. No new undertakings should be made unless on a sound financial basis, and if concessions were handed over they should get the Government to place them on the same financial basis ai3 at Nelson sndi Motueka. Both these places were endowed, the former up to £3000, and the. latter to 6500 per annum, decreasing pro rata as the Board's income increased; but Motueka was enjoying the full amount up to this day. They had these two capital instances before them, and if they could, be constituted similarly they would be safe, and1 should have no hesitation in asking for them. With regard to the shipping tonnage using the hiarbor, Picton came ninth for tl'.e Dominion, and, in exports 14th. Wairau and Picton combined totalled £264,000 for the past year. They could ask for a subsidy of, say, up to £500, to decrease when tie income reached that level. The local Harbor Board could co-operate with the local bodies^ which would be very advantageous. They could ask for the whole of the foreshore, excluding ihat required by the Railway Department, and also the land occupied' by the presenc railway station «when vacated. Comparisons in port charges were made by Mr C. Fredericks. •

Mr Harwood said he thought that Mr Duncan had' mapped out a. good scheme, and he thought it would not be very difficult to make it financial.

Mr Riddell asked Mr Duncan what actual benefit would be derived if the Government did hand over what wias asked for.

Mr Duncan pointed out that local control was far better than central control. For the last 20 years progress had been delayed. The trade at this port had deserved wharfage facilities during the last ten years, and if local control had been granted the came facilities would have been available as at Wellington. The loss of the harbor had. been one of the most serious blows dealt to Picton, and had retarded the progress of the town. They must ask for that part of the harbor not required by the Railway Department, and must be quite sure from the start that it was on a sound financial basis1. They bad been neglected in the past, but did not want to be in the future, and it was most certainly desirable to have a Harbor Board on a financially sound basis.

The chairman expressed the indebtcdnessi of the meeting to Mr Duncan for putting the matter in such a plain .manner.-■ They should not ask for any control over the new wharf. ■or ask foi anything that was not required. I.'-' local control had1 been obtained earlier Picton would have been ir. a. better condition. Great difficulty had been experienced in getting the Government to move in the way of new wharves'. The question would arise as to.■what would be best to do with ttio-bld wharf, and he suggested that it might be turned into a promenade. It now remained with the local bodies to take action and see if, in their opinion, it was advisable to put before the Minister a scheme for a Harbor Board for the place.

Mr Maitland, in order to bring matters to a head, moved the two following resolutions: That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Duncan, who had placed the matter in such, an able and clear manner; and? also tha.t a committee of five, consisting of the Mayor, Messrs Harwood, Fell, J. A. R. Greensill, and the mover, be set up to go into the matter, and'report to a combined meeting of the Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce, who should then, if they deemed it advisable, call a meeting to report to the public; the data of the combined meeting to be held on Friday," J7th inst.

Mr Fell . seconded the motions which were carried.

Mr Dm-can stated, that ho did not deserve any special thanks, as he con-' sidered it part of hiss duty as Member for the District to assist and help forward any project in Marlborough for the benefit and welfare of the people.

It was also suggested that other minor grievances be brought under the notice of Mr Millar on his visit to Picton.

This, practically terminated the meeting.