GREYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 72, 26 March 1919, Page 3

GREYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD.

•ITS FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. (United Press Association.\ WELLINGTON, March 25. Owing to the drop , in revenue through the decreased quantity of coal passing over i-s wharves,. the finances of . the Greymouth Harbour Hoard are jm such a perilous position that the | members of the board have appealed to the Minister of Marine for assistance from , the Government. Cabinet considered the question, and the Hon, T.j M. Wilford. made a statemen. as tt>what the Government is going to do. ‘‘The question of the relation of the Railway Department to the board has not yet been gone into,” he said, ‘but , Cabinet, has decided that ip the meantime and until hgisla’ion can be provided and a policy decided upon the' Government will *'' assist the board to carry on until the’ end Of August, 1919, on 'he basis of estimate* of the amount’ required. According to representations’ made to me by the board this means that the Government pu‘-s itself len’f.d j the board until the end of’ August. It, ! is. no final decision, for, on the contrary. i the policy to be carried ovit in relation ito the whole question has yet to be considered with a view to the preparation of legislation *o orovide tor the permaent policy of the Government. The board at present owes the’Government £360,000. and ; is some’ £14,209 in arrears .with interest arid through the drop . in the coal traffic it. revenue today, notwithstanding careful management—because we are Ml aat ; sfie<i that it has been careful g in- the past two ' years—will not pay i f s interest and ordinarv management exnensee. Consequently it has to ask the Government jto assist it or take over the port.” Mr Wilford indicated that the amount involved in backing the board with, the bank is probably about £2500, ; • \ ,