HARBOR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 641, 23 May 1878, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

«, The fortnightly meeting of the Harbo; Board was held to-day, at the Harbo: Chambers ; present—Mr. Snmptor (Chair man), the Hon. IT. J. Miller; Messrs Reid, Meiilove, Steward, Meek, Shrimski Headland. The minutes of the last meeting were I'ead and confirmed, and the out ware correspondence was read and approved. The Standing Committee reported that they had considered the subject of a reduction of LI,OOO in the revenue from dues, as instructed at the last meeting of the Board, and recommended the following table of charges :—lnwards—General merchandize, 3s. 3d. per ton : coals. 3s. 3d. per ton ; timber. 9d. per 100 ft! super. ; fencing posts and rails, 4s. Gd. per 100 ; palings, Is. per 100 ;. hardwood timber, 9d. per 100 ft. super. ; logs, 9d. per 100 ft. super. ; large cattle. 2s! Gd. sheep, 2d. ; pigs, M. Outwards—Gene-" ral merchandize, 2s. 6d. ; wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes, 2s. per ton; flour, pollard, and bran, 2s. 3d. ; wool, Is. per bale ; stone, Id. per foot ; slates, 2s. per ton ; sheep, 2d. ; pigs, 4d. ; cattle and horses, 2s. Gd. ; minimum charge for parcels, 3d. Mr. Meek complained that a larger charge was made on flour manufactured in town than on wheat shipped away to be manufactured elsewhere. He thought that if any difference was to be made, it

should be in favor of the manufactured: article. The tariff proposed handicapped the local miller. Mr. Steward said that the Committee had carefully considered the matter, and •being unable to make both grain and flour 2s. per ton, and had decided to give the grower the benefit of the reduction. There was no desire to handicap the local manufacturer, and such a thing had been done, for there was a vast dift'in the value of the two article -cronce was not charged in '- ' '"V al1, » flollr va ]„ o . x-'-oportion to its «acS e r?« , "' lUan roi,l ' eil ™* tlint 11 «! ° r , r llour 'ioro allowed to the ton, I T :• actually 10 sacks to the ton. I ' -ig this fact into consideration, it would be found that flour was charged! vow littlu over 2s. per ton. Mr. Headland opposed the proposed tariff, and thought that the charges on grain and flour should be equalised. Mr. Steward pointed out. that Oamaru was not only likely to continue to be one of the principal granaries of this Colony, but to become an important granary for the TToni" commerce The main study of the Board should be to facilitate the extending of the commerce of the port. The farmers would have to look to the ileum Country for a market for their grain j and the Committee, in. suggesting tile reduction in tiie rates on were actuated by a desire, to unable the growers to place their produce in the Home markets as cheaply as possible, in order to enable them to compete successfully. Mr. Shrimski said that the larger number were likely to lie benefited by the reduction on grain, and that the interests of millers, who were in th» minority, should give way before those of Urn majority. A. lengthy discussion took place, nearly every member fnkiiig part in it. Eventually, Mr. Reid pointed out that, by reducing the tariff on flour, ito., to 2,-i. per ton. there would be a difference of only LO2 in the revenue. It was then resolved to make the charges on flour, pollard, and bran, 2.5. per ton. The tariff submitted, with this alteration, was then passed. The Engineer (Mr. M'Oreyor) reported on the proposed timber facing inside the Bnalcwater, and suggested that the Board should provide the timber, and accept a tender for the work only, as he thought the Board eordd provide the timber at much lower prices than those given in the ! estimates supplied by contractors. He considered the work well worth the amount which he estimated it would cost. (L 1173 12s 3d), as, if constructed, ships of much greater tonnage could be loaded with perfect safety in ordinary weather. A long and animated discussion took place on the matter and several suggestions wove made with reference to the improvement of the Breakwater. It was finally decidrd to hold a special meeting of the Board on Friday, the 31st instant, for the purpose of considering the whole matter, and to consult the Engineer and Harbour-master upon the subject. On the motion of Mr. Shrimski. seconded by Mr. Reid, it was resolved, "That the Engineer be requested to inform the contractors that the time for the completion of their contracts has been greatly exceeded," A letter was read from the Railway Department, forwarding a revised tariff for haulage of goods on the Breakwater line for the approval of the Board. Some discussion took place upon the subject, during which the opinion was freely expressed that as the traffic on the lino was much greater than was anticipated, and the receipts of the Government largely in excess of what was expected, the Government should decidedly make reductions in the tariff, more especially as the Board had made very large reductions. Mr. Steward proposed, and Mr. Menlove seconded, the following motion : • " That the. Commissioner of Railways be written to, stating that the Board has this day reduced its clues very considerably, the reduction being on some of the principal items as much as 33 per cent. .They think that the. tariff on the Breakwater line should also be similarly reduced, more especially as the Breakwater line is yielding very large returns at present rates. They, therefore, ask that the rates as shown by tariff submitted should be reduced by 33 per cent, on each item, except as regards passengers." . _ "i his was eventually withdrawn in favor of another, proposed by Mr. Shrimski rmd seconded by Mr. Reid, " That a Hon. H. J. Miller, Messrs. Reid,'Steward® Sumptcr, Meek, and the members for the district, for the purpose of conferring with Mr. Conyers on the subject of the rates of freight on the Breakwater line, and that Mr. Conyers be telegraphed to, asking at what- date it will be convenient for him to meet the Committeo in Oaiiiarn." This having been carried, the Board adjourned.