HABBOUR BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4174, 5 July 1875, Page 6

HABBOUR BOARD.

A deputation from the Legislative Com mittee of the Harbour Board, consisting of Messrs Reeves, E. B. Cargill, Tewsley, and M'Neill, waited on His Honour the Superintendent; on Thursday, 24th ult. Mr Reeves explained that the Harbour Board was anxious to secure His Honour's good offices iii the matter of the Bill the Board is to bring before the Assembly. The deputation were there to discuss with him anything which he did not altogether approve of, to smooth down anything, and to come to something definite. _ His Honour mentioned that he had read over the draft Bill, but confessed that he did not see exactly what was to be gained yMr* Reeves replied that the Board would have a better standing in the borrowing market of Britain, and an improved position, if they could show that this work had the sanction, nob only of the Provincial but of the General Government. ' His Honour.: I don't see how. You have got now everything you can get from the Legislature, except power to levy dues on shipping; and though you have not that, yon have an equivalent. . Mr Cargill remarked that the Board did. not want the power to levy on shipping. His Honour also mentioned that the Board had the power to levy dues on goods. Mr Ekeves : Indirectly. Hi. Honour: Directly. He did not think the Bill would better the Board's position at home. So far as that was concerned, the moneylender would, he thought, look to the security : and this Bill would not alter that in any way. . , Mr M'Neill dared say there was not much in it • but, as the Auckland Board had an Act of the Assembly, it was thought if the Dunedin Board had an Act of the Assembly the Board's position would bo strengthened. His Honour : There is one thing about it which Ido not like. It implies that the Ordinances and Acts of the Provincial Council are, to all intents and purposes, invalid. Ido not believe, as a rule, in going to the Assembly to validate an.Ordinance, so long as it is not ultra vim. The. short title of the Bill is "The Otago Harbour Board Validation and Empowering Act." .. - . ... . His Honour : Then there is a proposition to give the Governor in Council a power which he has already got. by an Act of the Assembly. - Mr M'Neill pointed out there was also a clause which required any person 'making any alteration in the Harbour to give timely notice to the Board. ■ , His Honour did not want to place cold water upon the thing. The movement did not commend itself to his judgment as being necessary. He thought there were objections to assuming that it was required—that the legislation of the Province itself waa not sufficient. . ■ ' , , , Mr Tewsley thought if the Board had only to deal with the people here, there might be some force in his Honour s remarks, but it was different going to the Home markft. ■■ . . His Hoxoi'R: The Assembly will insist upon the addition of a clause making it clear that neither the Provincial nor the Colonial revenue is implicated. ~, *• Mombei-3 replied there would be no objection to that. ■ . Mr Cargill pointed out that the BiU, gyvin« statutory power to levy a distinct tax for a separate purpose, would give greater security to the borrower. Mr M'Neill mentioned that the Board thought people at a distance regarded it as having more stability, if stamped by an Act ot the Assembly. , His Honour : I must say I am not at all with you. I think people will lend the money, and will look to the security without reference to the General Assembly at all. Your security is ample enough. Besides, 1 think there is too much tendency on our parts to rush away—outside ourselves—for advice and assistance, and I do not believe in that principle. . _ Mr Reeves agreed with Mr Tewsley b opinion that an Act of the Assembly would strengthen the Board's position m the money market. Besides, there was the fact that, ere long, Provincialism would go to the wall. Provincialism was ridiculed not only here, but in the neighbouring colonies. It was therefore considered that an Ordinance^ the Provincial Council would not; place the Board in so good a position as an Act of the General Assembly. An Act of .the Assembly would strengthen the Board's hands considerably; with it, they could get. the money much more easily. . Mr C-vkoill admitted that the only ground on which the matter could be taken_to the Assembly was that an Act, would give the Board a better .standing, and enable it to manage its advances with greater advantage His Honour : I am inclined to think that it is botfce-r as it is. , Mr Tewsley said they knew His Honours very strong views upon Provincial institutions, which were not to bo wondered at. His Honour : As a money lender, 1 would sooner have this security. , Mr Tewsley pointed out that the leiuleia at home had not the special knowledge of His Honour ; that was just why they sough to «et an Act of the Assembly, which, it seemed to Him (Mr Trtreley), merely sum Ywrhed and made clear what had gone he-

Tl'is HOiTOUtt: It is adding to the volume of legislation. However, I have already expassed my opinion, which is, that the Bill is totally unnecessary. Of course, if the Jiarbour Board think otherwise- , MrREEVKS: What we want to secure is your Honour's good offices at Wellington. His Hoxoub : Of course I should not oppose it; but I will not agree to give it active Ul|lvlr Reeves': Does your Hoe our not think thVre is something on the point? By the pace of the Provincial Council we havegotcer tain powers, and do you not think it would strengthen our hands to get them secured by an Act of the Assembly, seeing what may be done V,y the superior Legislature towards •loin* away with one branch of the constitution°and ( that it is likely, to give very little consideration to Provincial institutions > His Honour: I think that were Provincial institutions abolished to-morrow, your interests would not be affected one iota. The fact is, I think we are altogether too apt to rush to the Assembly upon all occasions It would, I think, have been much better if we had not. Ido not see that I can very well stultify myself by agreeing to your request. , Mr Tewsmsy was understood to observe that His Honour appeared to think it would be lowering institutions that had been a success to the position of those which had made Provincialism a non-success. His Honour : Not exactly that. I think there is far too great a readiness and disposition to take it for granted that we cannot manage our own affairs, hence the present position of the Colony. Mr Tewsley: We cannot do away with the feeling that at Home and in the Australian Colonies they are howling away anl hammering at Provincialism to bring it into dispute. I* it necessary that we should i»ay a higher rate of interest when, with an Act of the Assembly, we can get the money on heHer tf-nas? His Honour : Tf you can show me that you can get the money on better te-ma 1 -hould be inclined to pocket my prejudices (if yrm call them such) on the subject; but I don't sen it.

Mr Keeves urged Hist Honour to take into j consideration the anomaly of the Province being unable to borrow, and yet being in a position to create this Board, with power to borrow on the security of its debentures. After some conversation, His Honour said he did regard his individual vote of very much importance. However, he would not oppose the Hill. ' Mr Tewsley : If your Honour should see your way to speak in its'favour, a great many persons will look to you as a guide as to which way they should vot<\ His Honour : It will be dealt with upon it* merits if introduced by one of the membeis for the city. Air Reeves remarked that Mr Reynolds had given a promise that the Government would bring it in if it saw nothing objectionable in it.

His Honour : Then if the Government is pgreeable to it, it is sure to be carried. While I hold the opinion that it is unneccs-

sary and like the fifth wheel'of a coach, I' should not liketo pledge myself to support -

it.-, ~ .• ~:,..-■,. . Mr Cargill pointed out that from the current course of events in the Colony, it appeared probable that there would be a large reduction in, the Provincial establish- ■ ments—that thoy would be.somewhat curtailed and simplified—and there might come ■ about changes which would make it desirable ■ to have a work of this kind stamped by aa . Act of the Assembly. His Honour : I fail to see what possible bearing the existence OH Provincialism has • upon this question. Mr Cargill: Simply the standing itwould give '.he Board, particularly as to bor- - rowing money. If Provincial functions are curtailed or greatly reduced, the _ Board's i position would be reduced, accordingly, in. the eyes of the public at home. His Honour : You might as well say that the status of the Corporation of Dunedin< would be reduced, if Provincialism _ were • abolished, because the Corporation is the creation of the Province.

Mr Oargill observed that the Board would go upon the London market as perfect strangers, and then fathers and godfathers would be enquired. His Honour remarked that it was not impossible that the Assembly might first goto the wall. That would be the case were the people of the Colony of the same mind) as himself. '

Mr M'Neill : I am afraid we must say I that we have not succeeded in canviudng your Honour. . ; Hia Honour : I confess I do not see the matter with the flame optics aa you. How« ever, I promise not to take any action detrimental to the Bill. ' ' •

Thep deputation having stated that that was all they could expect from. His Honour, withdrew.