MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 May 1939, Page 8

MOTUEKA

HARBOUR BOARD SPECIAL MEETING HELD APPOINTMENT OF ACTING WHARFINGER A special meeting of the Motueka Harbour Board was held yesterday afternoon, primarily to consider the position caused by the death of the Harbourmaster, Mr P. G. MofTatt. The chairman (Mr C. H. Mackay) expressed deep regret at the loss the Board had sustained and moved that a letter of sympathy be forwarded to Mrs MofTatt and family in their bereavement; also that the Board place on record its deep sense of loss sustained and expressions of appreciation of the services rendered by the late Mr MofTatt while in the Board’s employment. Mr MofTatt had, it was stated, entered the service of the Board in 1911 as secretary, and in 1917 was appointed Harbourmaster. The motion, which was seconded by Mr A. Rowling, was carried in silence. Members who attended the meeting were:—Messrs C. H. Mackay (chairman), D. L. Drummond, P. B. Calder, R. P. Rowling, L. B. Robinson. A. Rowling, Horatio Everett . All were aware, the chairman, said, that the foreman, Mr C. O’Brien, owing to the state of his health would have to be granted three months’ leave of absence. It was necessary that he should be ; relieved of the work as soon as posj sible. At the Works* Committee meet- : ing, held the previous evening suggesi tions had been put forward for the filling of the position, one being that Mr Wilson —a building contractor, in the district would be available for part time work. Mr Calder considered the work required a man to be on the job all the time. Another suggestion, the chairman stated, was that the services of Mr Jack, a fully qualified road inspector on the staff of the Waimea County Council be obtained if possible. A third suggestion, made by Mr O’Brien was that Mr Calder be asked to do the work as overseer. The chairman said that this could be done if Mr Calder was given leave of absence from the Board, although the matter might present difficulties. Mr Calder stated that the only course the Board could pursue was to ma»ce ! application to the Waimea County Council. On the motion of Messrs L. B. Robinson and P. B. Calder, it was agreed that application be made to the Waimea County Council with a view to obtaining the services of Mr Jack, as overseer, for a period of three months to relieve Mr C. O’Brien, and allow him to go on sick leave. It was also agreed that the chairman and Mr Calder wait on the Waimea County Council on Friday and put the case before the meeting. Mr Everett moved that Mr Jack be notified that the Board is seeking his services for three months as overseer in reconstruction of the breastwork at Motueka wharf. This was seconded by Mr D. L. Drummond and carried. In expressing the hope that Mr O’Brien would roon be restored to health, Mr Everett moved that a letter conveying the Board’s sympathy be forwarded to him and also appreciation of his services. This was adopted. The meeting went into committee to discuss the filling of the vacancy caused by the passing of the late Mr Moffatt. On resuming, it was decided (Messrs Calder and Everett) that Mr A. Hunt be appointed wharfinger pro tern. It was also decided that the chairman and Mr Calder interview the I Anchor Shipping Company. Mr Everett moved that on the return of the delegation from Nelson the chairman call a special meeting of the Board if considered necessary. This was seconded by Mr A. Rowling and carried. REDUCED WHARFAGE ASKED At a special meeting of the Motueka Harbour Board yesterday afternoon, the secretary read the following letter received from the Fruitgrowers’ Chemical Company: “We approached your Board about 18 months ago with an application for fixing the wharfage rate on ground limestone (marble) and marble chips at one shilling per ton. Your Board at that time suggested that the application be renewed when an assurance

could be given that a worth-while quantity would go over the wharf. We have now received a definite offer from one of the big industries in Auckland to purchase from us the whole of their limestone requirements permanently. Hitherto the company had imported from Australia all its lime requirements. It is admitted by the company that our product contains a carbonate of lime content higher than any similar product in Australasia. The company in the past has used from 850 tons to 1000 tons per year, but now estimates its future requirements at 1000 tons per year with an early prospect of increased quantities. ’l’he shipments would be made in quantities of 100 tons or perhaps in 50 ton lots if that would be helpful in bringing about more regular sailings to Onehunga. We understand the Anchor Company would be agreeable to send boats to Motueka to lift 50 ton lots. As ground and chip limestone are low priced commodities we now ask for a reduction of the wharfage rate from 2s to Is per ton. At a later stage quicklime, hydrated lime and large marble blocks will be available for shipment. As these lines will have a value of about four times that of ground limestone and chips we would be willing to pay the 2s rate. “Another matter of outstanding importance is the arrangement as to storage. Obviously it would be impossible to transport 100 tons or even 50 tons within the prescribed time. We therej fore ask that we should be allowisi to ! deliver to the wharf at will, as in the | ease of export fruit, without incurring j an - v storage charge. We submit tint this new industry, with the co-opera-tion of your Board would be very helpfu, in stabilising the shipping service to Onehunga by providing regular sailings to that port.

“Motueka fruitgrowers have, in the past been at a very serious disadvantage because of the irregular sailings to Onehunga. More than one Auckland fruit broker has informed the writer that Auckland, in the future, will progressively be dependent on outside supplies of pip fruits. Considerable supplies in the past have been procured from Hawkes Bay. the Nelson grower being shut out of the trade because of the lack of shipping facilities. An increase of 10 per cent, on railage from Hawkes Bay to Auckland is favourable to the Motueka-Onehunga rate of freight.

“We shall be greatly obliged if your Board will give an early decision.” The chairman said that Mr McKee had interviewed him in regard to the letter and he thought it should be considered if it was going to give convenient service to Onehunga. It was decided that consideration of the letter be left till the next ordinary meeting.

FOOTBALL FIXTURES

Football fixtures for Saturday have been drawn as follows: Senior Uuia v. Upper Moutere. 3 p.m., No. 1 ground, referee Mr H. Rangi. Wanderers v. United, 3 p.m., No. 2 ground, Mr J. Holyoake. Junior United v. Upper Moutere, at Moutere, 3 p.m., Mr E. Codyre. Third Grade High School v. United, 1.30 p.m., No. 1 ground, Mr R. Proffit. The Wanderer team to play United seniors is as follows: Grey, Fowler, Askew, Evans, Johnston (2), Young, Goodyer, Satherley, Foster Barham, Bignall, Walker, Stephens, Franklin, Fry (2), N. Fowler.