WHARF SHEDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22822, 1 September 1937, Page 15

WHARF SHEDS

DEMANDS OF PORT NCT AVAILABLE FOR SHOWS HARBOUR BOARD'S DECISION NOTIFICATION TO PROMOTERS No further applications for the use of the wharf sheds for the Winter Exhibition are to be granted by the Auckland Harbour Board. The board decided yesterday to notify the promoters of the exhibition, tho Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association and the Auckland Manufacturers' Association, that the sheds will definitely not bo available in future. A report on tho use of the sheds was submitted to the board by tho superintendent, Mr. D. y Holdernesa, who said that in earlier years when there was a decided falling off in the activities of tho port in the winter, there was little difficulty in accommodating the exhibition without inconvenience to shipping and" other users of tho port, but as had been pointed out repeatedly in recent years, the one time slack periods of winter no longer existed, and the port was almost uniformly busy throughout the year. Dislocation oi Shipping " Except in unusual and entirely unpredictable circumstances the diversion of sheds from their normal use for prao tically three weeks nt a. time cannot possibly be arranged without serious dislocation and financial loss to shipping companies," stated the superintendent " I have to recommend therefore at this time, when they still have practically 12 months in which to make other arrangements for next year's fixture, that tho governing body of tho exhibition, and both the Auckland Agricultural and.Pastoral Association and the Auckland Manufacturers' Association, as promoters, be notified that the wharf sheds will be definitely not available for use in future." " This is a definite statement to the people concerned, and gives them timo to make other arrangements," remarked the chairman, the Hon. T. Bloodworth, M.L.C. Mr. A. S. Sutherland said the board should not be so drastic. The Winter Exhibition was held during'the winter months when many farmers could come to town and enjoy it during the off season of the year. As an amendment he moved that the question of tho sheds being used for future exhibitions be held over for six months to see what tho promoters were doing to securo accommodation of their own. Opposition to Extension " If the board gave these people 20, years to look after themselves, they would be no further advanced than they are to-day," said Sir. C. G. Macindoe. He added that a private company was formed a year ago wittfthe object of providing a building of some kind, and the executives of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association and the Manufacturers' Association were invited to attend meetings. They were asked what they wanted in tho way of accommodatoin, what funds they had to invest. ' " Other interests were all very keen, but neither of these two would commit themselves in any shape or form," said Mr. Macindoe. "They felt they could go on using the Harbour Board sheds indefinitely. They would not lift a nngel to help themselves, and I think it is time they did." . Defeat of Amendment Mr. H. 11. MacKenzie said the exhibition people were definitely going to do something and the board should give them a chance. If they were -Dot under way in six months board could close down on them definitely. "If we let the exhibition people know they are not going to have the use of the sheds, they will do something," said Mr. J. B. Donald. "Lei them make a start, and if they can't finish the building, then is the time te reconsider the question." The chairman said it would be useless to defer the matter for six month* as it would bo putting the exhibition authorities in an unfair position. The amendment was lost, and tho superintendent's report was adopted.