EASTBOURNE’S WANTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11661, 27 October 1923, Page 5

EASTBOURNE’S WANTS

| AND THE HARBOUR BOARD FACILITIES FOB SERVICE: PUBLIC BODY'S DUTIES. “NO DISCOURTESY,” SAYS MAYOR Tho reply of the Wellington Harbour Board to the Eastbourne Borough Council's recent desire for certain reft nests was the cause of some diecussion at the latter’s meeting ladt night. Some resentment was expressed at the published statements of certain members of the board, but this may he explained away by the Mayor (Mr F. H. Mather) on the gropnd that- these speakers had not been fully ecizod of •the position. NO “SQUARE DEAL!” The Mayor denied that- he had ever used the expression of “a square deal.” He said the council had been treated with courtesy by the chairman of the board. Regarding the question of increased rental, he had not asked lor a specific reduction, though he maintained the present charge was too high. He expressed appreciation of the efforts of members of the hoard who had supported the council’s requests; they had reached “a higher plane than £ s. d.” “We are trying to do a public service. and to do it as efficiently as possible,” declared the Mayor. “I do not think that some of the members of the Harbour Board altogether apprecialted that.” j Particular reference was made to 1 the statements of Air D. J. McGowan, ■Mr Mat-lier remarking that he must have been ignorant as to the position of Eastbourne. His geography was also astray when he imagined that Day’s Bay was incorporated with Eastbourne. (Laughter.) A DELUSION. A councillor: Others think that, too! ■ The Mayor: Perhaps so. He went on to that the chairman of the -board (Mr G. Mitchell) did not favbur supporting any suggested legislation to enable the council to buy the wharves, ‘‘lock, stock, and barrel.” Referring to encroachments by gfl-nd at the wharves, he declared thait dredging was essential. Attention was also called to the fact that the council was paying increased charges ho the board, the members of which apparently failed to appreciate what the council was actually doing as a public service. The Mayor pointed j out that they had not only transported the so-called “wealthy” people of East-bbourr-e, but the “wealthy” people of I Wellington as well. | “Some members have not appreciated the fact that we are nqt in this thing for profit, hut for service,” he added. CHAIRMAN’S COURTEOUS TREATMENT. On the whole, however, he said he was very grateful for what the board had don©}-some of the requests had been treated very fairly. Reference was again made to the courtesy and consideration of the chairman. The Mayor then moved: That the letter of the Harbour Board be received, and that the general manager be instructed to reply conveying Hie thanks of this council to the board for agreeing: (1) To provide eargo aoaoramodation on tho city ferry wharf; (2) to grant the sole use of this wharf; and (3) to provide- additional office accommodation by extending the city office.

The council regretted that the hoard could not “see its way.clear” to provide spring piles at the Rona Bay wharf, or to meet certain other requests. The council requested the board t)o reconsider the question of providing the spung piles already referred to.

NO DESIRE TO BE “NURSED.” The Mayor added that the council had no desire foi the Harbour Board to “nurse” them. Councillor Dawson: We never asked for that? The Mayor: No, of course not.

(Muncillor Dawson said it would be interesting to obtain a comparative statement ns to expenses in connection with the straits ferry service at their wharf. “I feel sure that you, sir, never went hat in hand to any public bodv a6inng for a reduotibn in charges,” he added. Councillor Dawson thought the public had been flouted, and that the council had not been altogether courteously treated. “They will have to learn that they are a public body,” he declared, “just the some as we are.”

The Mayor said there had been lie intentional discourtesy. He did not take some of the published statements very seriousl.y. On the whole, he was not perturbed, as members of the board who had made certain remarks could not have been fully seized of the position. “They do not realise what a handworking lot we are over here,” he observed. “I wish i could find some of the ‘wealthy men’ they talk of, and we might be able to negotiate a loan with them!” (Laughter.) “NOT GOING HAT IN HAND!”

Councillor Dawaon: Wo are not going hat in hand to the Wellington Harbour Board or anyone else 1 .... It is their property, and we are asked to pav the piner! Councillor Jones thought it was on occasion for the use cf some tact. Application could bo renewed, he said, for the demands which had not been granted. As one public body to another, it was expected that the board would meet the council in a reasonable manner.

The motion was carried without any further discussion.