MANUKAU HARBOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13779, 18 June 1908, Page 6

MANUKAU HARBOUR.

! CONTROL BY AUCKLAND BOARD. RESULT OF THE CONFERENCE. " INTERESTS IDENTICAL" Tin; second conference of delegate* from local bodies along the Manukau interested in the ■control of the Mauubtu Harbour, was held at the Council Chamber. Oneliunga. l»t evening', when the Mayor (Mr, .John R.we) presided. Mr. F. • bang. M.V., the member for Manukau. and Mr. W. J. Napier, of the Auckland Harbour Hoard, were present, while the delegates included: Mewrs. J./U C.irlalld. Awlntiß included: Me.s-rs. ..i.j*u iiarw"-«» * Road B...i'd; John Potter, Avondate Koad Board : 0. D- Smith, l»apaknr». Town Board; S. Hodge. Papatoitoi; H. R. Mackenzie. Mangere Road Board: B. Higgmsoa. Waiuku Road Board. V. K*rr-'l«ylor (chairman) and A. Cochrane, Wait«mata County Council: A. 31. Barrib*!!, Waipipi Road" Board: J. G. Hamilton. Bollock Road Board : John Brady and F. Lippiatt, Otahuhu Road Board: K. W. Burton. Onetree Hill Road Board; Chas. Bagley. Mount Roskili Road Board; K. 0. Allsworth and A. S. Holmes ■ (secretary) and Captain Wing, of the Onehutiga-Mamikaur Harbour Board. Mr. J. E. Taylor, a delegate from the local Chamber of Commerce. was unable to Ix» present. The Mayor briefly mentioned the object of the conference, 'and hoped that those present had come fullv prepared to vote on this occasion. 'He then introduced Mr. Napier to the delegates, stating that that gentleman would explain what the Auckland Harbour Hoard purposed doing, it given control of the Manukau. MR. NAPIER'S ADDRESS. Mr. Napier apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Hon. E. Mitchelson (chairman of tlio Auckland Harbour Board) and then expressed his pleasure at having been asked to address tho conference. In submitting his views, he desired it to Iks understood that ho did not approach the .subject of Auckland control in a spirit, of antagonism, but dimply with the idea of seeing the port of Onehunga prosper There should be no conflict of interests, for what .concerned Auckland should also concern Onehunga. Personally he wished to see Onehumia. prosper jit a much more rapid rate in the future than it had done in the past As a traveller, c business man, and one who came, into close contact with merchants and shipping men, be. wis certain that up to a certain point all would agree with him that the present position was most unsatisfactory, and that Government control of the Manukau was not a success. The appliances and accommodation, and also tho depth of water were inadequate for a port of such importance. All would agree that some form of local control was necessary, and would bo rnoro satisfactory thai government by the Department so far off as Wellington. It was a question which form of local control would he most advantageous. If the shipping companies and those interested wore satisfied that control from tho Onehunga. side were best, then ho would be only too pleased to assist. Resolutions had been passed some iiui*» ago in favour of a. local harbour board, hut the question had not been considered .us it should have been by practical men, otherwise it would not have been necessary for the Auckland Harbour Board (o frame a Bill. For a. local board the first- question was that of fundi*, for nothing could be done without a good .finance!. Only two sources wore opentaxation and revenue from endowments. Taking tho endowments, and supposing that, (ho Government gave all the lands asked for, and, at an estimate which was perhaps high, the revenue would reach about £200 per annum. The leases would bo. lengthy, and if industries were to he established the- cartage over long distances would be against them. In the city the Harbour Board had reclaimed about 100 acres, which .were of great value, while most of the-industries were going to be established along the waterfront of these reserves. So far as Onehunga was concerned, the question of revenue. from reserves could be eliminated. It "was then a mattoß of . taxation, and as it- was not likely that a property rate, would be struck, it meant three other rates, namely, export and import wharfage, and shipping. The amount then derived would not enable interest to he paid on «i loan. He computed the minimum amount essential at £20,000, and this would not allow of deeper water being obtained, as- such would entail a much greater expenditure. A. dredge would inn into, .say £15,000. punts £7000, a suction dredge, 'say, £7000 to £8000.' and structural expenditure £15.000, while there were no cranes.or shed accommodation. To get a fair .start £60,000 would be necessary; the irreducible minimum would be £20,000. Money would not be procurable at loss than, say, 5 per cent., and he was afraid a. large or necossary loan could not bo secured. If the advocates' of local control could not finance tho proposal successfully, then they should shut up, and be compelled to admit that the- Auckland Harbour Board was the proper body to take over the port. 'ONE GREAT CITY." Tho interests of both the ports of Auckland and Onehunga were identical, Mr. Napier went on' to «iy. and tho two places were, linked together by tram. Ere long there would be one great city, for it was inevitable that Onehunga- must form portion of Auckland before many yens. passed overin fact, it was the destiny of Auckland. The Auckland Harbour Board would not derive any revenue from Onehunga, while it was* the intention to expend large sums on the port immediately. The trade of the port would increase at least threefold, while the charge would l>e assimilated with Auckland, about 5s per ton import and the same pent. The revenue per annum of the Auckland Board was now £100,000. and growing, a* against £29,000, when he (Mr. Napier) first joined the Board. In a very few years the lease? of many endowments would tall due, and they would have to pay oft the first loan of £25.000. In one night the revenue would increase by £10.000. as interest amounting to that sum would not have to be paid any longer. Financially, no body in the Dominion was so strong as the Auckland Harbour Board, and none ?o abb' to take up the burden of the Manukau Har-bour--for undoubtedly it would prove ■•- burden. Money would have to be expended, which the merchants of the city would contribute. The harbour would be deepened, goods sheds erected, and the smaller | ports provided with wharves, proper appli- j ances, and accommodation. The' promot- : ing Bill was only a preliminary measure, and had not been suggested in a spirit of antagonism. In the Bill it was intended that the Manukau Harbour be vested in the Auckland Harbour Board, and Onehunga or district to have two-representatives on the Board. It was the intention of the Minister for Marine to reintroduce the Harbour Boards Bill, which contained 520 . improvements, including about 100 suggested by the Auckland Board, and this, he took for granted, would go through this ses&iou. In the schedule it was proposed that Onehunga have representation on the Auckland Board, irrespective of the Manukau being taken over. Of course, any representations made by the conference would be sympathetically considered, but he (tho speaker) really thought that it.was to the interest of (Onehunga and Greater Auckland that Auckland should take over the Manukau- In reply to Mfegsrs. Lang and Bagley, Mr. Napier said that in the Consolidated Bin provision was- made for Grey Lynn and Raglan to be represented on the Board, but .he favoured superseding those districts, and giving their powers-to ethers interested round the Manukau. However, the question of representation was for the conference to discuss. RESULT OF VOTING. Replying to the Mayor. Mr. Napier considered that the Waitemata Countv was well represented' on the Auckland Board. as Captain McKeiizie, Mr. Keyes, and himself hailed from that direction. To tin"*' Mr. V. Kerr-Taylor took exception, declaring that, a resident of Devonport could not claim to be representing the [ county. , " J

mmmm t,tmmmmmmmimmmmmmimmimnm i n »an ••ommmmmmtm ■4% .'■This. : Mi. ' Napier declared/_wm split- ''§; ■ ([«<-' • str»WS« and- the Mayor. intetrajfflj, ■''!■'■' as tl>€* matter *M irrelevant. Replying to Mr. Brady, it .wag.explained a that it was not tho intention to levy any i : rate on ■ the ■districts' interested in the control of the Manukau. M„. K. G. 'ADffWorth followed with an 'account -of the proposed local Bill, and" ■ was engaged hi sunnily supporting" iii*»'" ■' proposal to form » local board when Mr. K. W. Barton we to ■> point of order, and the speaker, protesting against she ruling of. the chair, sat flown. Messrs. B.uribaß. Kerr-Taylor. Hodge, a ail Mackenzie approved of Mr. Napier's proposals, and congratulated him upon his explanation to the conference. the latter nif,.-' - a vote of thanks, which was enI tiiusiaMicaliv carried. Mr. A, S. Holmes, secretary »d the- ! M.imikuii Harbour Bortrd Committer, movi ed : — ' • That litis meeting is in favour of » local Harbour Hoard Indue established »lotjc the. HamiVan, and that thfi member tor Uannkait he a*ked t<» assist in cftttinir an. Empowerina Bill passed through the- Hou.w this sionMr. Godwin Smith seconded the motion. Mr. V. Ken-Taylor moved a* an amendment, and Mr. K. W. Burton seconded - Ilia! this meeting of representative* »■£ local bodies is in favour (if the Auckland Harbour Hoard takinsr over control of in* Manukau Harbour and adjacent port*. On a show of hands being taken, the amendment was declared carried, with four dissentients, vi-/... the Mayor, Captain Win;.*. Messrs. Holmes. and Godwin Smith. Mr. Chas. Bagley declined to vote, favourins Government control. The amendment then became the substantive motion, and. with the addition if " Provided the local bodies avid administralive areas concerned be fully and fair!* represented on such Board," it was carried. ...n amendment was moved by Mr. AUsworth. seconded by Mr. Holmes: — That a petition lie circulated to .-uncertain the opinion of the 'people of the district «* to whether—(l) local control of the Manukau is desirable: (21 whether the Auckland j Harbour Hoard take the port over: or (5) ! whether mutters reoiaiu a* they are This amendment was. however defeated. Mr. Hodge considered that the voice <>i the representative* at the conference was. the voice of tho people. of the district, and any poll taken would entail expense without bringing about any different result. He then moved : — That ti committee he set up. to consist of Messrs. J. Howe (Mayor). C- Bacrloy. A. S, Holmes, K. V. Hurton. ami V, Kerr-Taylor. to see that adequate representation on th*Hoard is provided for in the Kill, also to watch and set- it through. This wan seconded by Mr. Bambull, and carried. Votes of thanks to the Harbour . Board Committee and to the chairman concluded , the meeting. THE FUTURE AMALGAMATION. In speaking at the Chamber of Commerce dinner last evening, the Mavor of Auckland (Mr. A, M. Myera) -said that hA hoped that (luring the coming session ih* requirements of Auckland City would be recognised by tho placing of the Manukau Harbour under the control of the. Auckland Harbour Board. (Applause.) He said. '' Auckland City" advisedly, because he did not recognise the present imaginary Unci of division. (Hear, hear.) He hoped, that the time would soon come when tho amalgamation, which made for greater effi- "\ ciency, would become an accomplished fact.