HARBOUR LOAN PROPOSAL

Northern Advocate, 11 October 1928, Page 7

HARBOUR LOAN PROPOSAL

BOARD AGREES TO £12,000. COALING FACILITIES. The Whangarei Harbour Board, at today’s meeting, considered the question of application to the Local Government Loans Board for authority to raise £12,000, being 10 per cent of tlic amount of the original loan. Such money would be devoted to (a) the purchase and erection of an electric wharf crane for the coaling of overseas vessels, and (b) wharf construction and dredging work. The chairman said that the application for a loan did not necessarily bind the board to raise the money until it was needed.

The clerk stressed several points under which it was advisable to make immediate application.

Mr L. A. Johnson considered that the act allowing local bodies to raiep 10 per cent of original loans only gave fpower to expend the money on the completion of work already undertaken. The board should exercise caution, as it was questionable whether £12,000 would ‘be sufficient to complete the work.

Support of Mr Finlayson’s contention that if the application were granted the money need not be raised at once, was given by Mr J. E. Holmes', who moved that the chairman take the necessary steps to approach tlie Loans Board for permission to borrow the amount stated. The board met quarterly, and if application were deferred there was no knowing what difficulties and delay the board might have to contend with. The motion was seconded by Mr J. D. McKenzie. Mr Johnson suggested that the matter be left in the hands of the Legal Committee. The motion that the matter be left in the hands of the chairman was carried, Mr Finlayson stating that this would not prevent him conferring with the Legal Committee.