OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9140, 12 June 1891, Page 4

OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the Otago Harbour Board was held yesterday, when there were present—Messrs H. Gonrley (chairman), G. M. Barr, J. Carroll, J. Mackerrae, W. Barclay, E, G. Allen, M. JoeJ, E. B. OargilJ, A. Thomson, and W. Dawson, M.H.B. FINANCIAL. The bank book, which was laid on the table, showed a debit balance of £985713s 2d. KEKOSENE STOBAGH!. Messrs Rattray and Sod, John Edmond, and A. Briscoe and Co. each applied for a site for a kerosene bond at Anderson's Bay, on the same terms as those on which Messrs Scoular and Co.'a sita was held. Granted, subject to three months' notice of removal. MES BEST. " The National Shipwreck Relief Society of New South Wales wrote for information as to the.circumstances of Mrs Captain Best and the division of the Kakanui fund. The Secretary said that information obtained from Mr Ramsay had been forwarded. BOAT SHED. The Inspector reported favourably !^on A. Wiseman's application to be allowed to erect a boat shed at Port Chalmers. FISH OTHERS' PETITION. A petition was received from a number of fish curers at Fort Chalmers, asking that the harbour improvement rata of 3s per ton now levied on fish shipped at the Port be reduced materially, or they would be compelled to discontinue all shipments for the greater portion of each year. They stated that daring the winter months, when the price realised for fish in the Melbourne market was low, this rate frequently ate up the small profits that their ventures resulted in, and in some cases had the effect of leaving them with debit balances. The rate was practically doubled by the rate per ton of measurement instead of per ton of deadweight. The petitioners, therefore, asked that the board would take these facts into consideration and reduce the rate now levied upon fish, and that in any amended bye-law the board passed upon the subject the rate might be made payable per ton of weight and not of measurement. Consideration of the matter was postponed until after Mr Joel's proposals with regard to the export dues were dealt with. MB EEID'S LEASES. The joint committees reported as follows re Mr D Reid's application concerning bis leases and rentals:— Having weighed all the circumstances Burrounding the case, recommend that the board, under the power given by clause 11 of the Public Bodies' Leasehold Act of 1886. agree to accept surrender of Mr Eeid's present leases on the following terms :— (1) lhat Mr lieid agrees to accept new lease on same terms and rental as at present fur one year dating from — ; (2) on renewal of lease Mr Held not to be entitled to have a higher valuation to be placed upon the buildings than £7000, and the upset rental when offered to be£l39J per annum, or 25 per cent, off present I rental; (3) renewal if lease to be offered at auction [on above terms in the usual manner. Mr D. Reid having reoeived an unofficial memo, covering the recommendations, wrote as follows: — I am prepared at ouce generally to acoede to the recommendations. I desire, however, to mention , the following points, ao ns to prevent any misunderstanding hereafter:— (I) The valuation £7000 includes only the building proper and all the landlord's Interest therein, but does not include trade fixtures, ouch as gas engine, elevators, turn table, weigh- • brideo &o. These, I presume, were not intended to , bB included, but I think it wll to mention this lees there Bhould be any misconception, (2) I would ask ; that, as Boon as it oan be legally done-that ii, Bix ' months before the end of the new lease—that the renewed lease, subject to valuation as named, be

offered at (motion, as I urn anxious to have the matter at an end, nnd so that it there is to be a change I may have a few month* to look about for another place. I would also unie that my surrender should ba accepted, and the new Itaae should take effect as from the Ist July 1191. Tho Chaikman formally moved tlie adoption of tho report, which was seconded by Mr Cabqill, and carried, it being also resolved that instructions be given to tha solicitors to carry the agreement into effect". Mr Barclay voted in the negative, and at tha conclusion of the meeting intimated that he would protest against the adoption of tho recommendations. THE MATATUA. The Harbourmaster's report having been read, The Chairman said that the steamer Mat&tna had been towed up to the wharf the other day, and as she was the first direct boat to come up he thought it would be a graceful act to dispense with the towage fees. Mr Allen said it was a mistake to assume that the Matatua was the first. The Worcester, one of the Homo steamers, came up a long time ago, and another one also, he thought the Jayley. A Bhort discussion ended in tho chairman's suggestion being adopted. THE LOWEH HABBOUK. Mr Allen asked whether the dredge was still at work in the Victoria channel. He thought that she should be sent to deepen the lower harbour, so that all vessels could come in at once and lie at the wharves. He understood that when the Kaikoura arrived off the heads the other dsy she had to remain outside for come time, although she was light. What little money the board had fca spend should be spent where it was best for the harbour in general The Chaibman said that the remarks in reference to the Kaikoura was hardly correct. The harbourmaster could have brought her up something like an hour and a-half before he did, but was requested by Captain Boyd to remain at the jetty to take down the members of Parliament to meet the Ministers. Mr Cargill said that the Kaikonra difficulty thus vanished; but there was something in what Mr Allen said. Tho board were informed that the dredge was to go on to work for a few days, and then that time spun out to months. It should be referred to the Works Committee to inquire into this matter. Mr Babolat agreed that there was something wrong. He was told that the dredge would be 10 days in the Victoria channel, and that time had spun out to 12 weeks. Mr Cabgill moved—" That it be referred to the Works Committee to inquire into and report upon the length of time occupied by Dredge 222 in deepening the Victorn channel so greatly in excess of the time reported to the board as necessary when she was put on to that work." Mr OABnoLL seconded the motion. It seemed a very btrange thing that the board should be so misled as to the time the work was to take He believed that all the members of the board thought with Mr Allen that any new works undertaken should be in the lower harbour. Mr Dawson was firmly of opinion that the dredge should be kept in the lower harbour until there was a depth of 25ft in the channel to Port Chalmers. The Chairman said that the harbourmaster's explanation of the delay was that the sand kept breaking in. Mr Babr pointed out that with a suction pump such as he had proposed the loose sand would all be lifted and carried away, and he thought the board should adopt the suction principle instead of the ladder principle. Mr Thomson thought that the board should determine when the dredge should be sent to the lower harbour. They should say exactly when. If it were left till the dredge had finished in the Victoria channel she might be kept there for an indefinite period. Mr Cabgilt, thought it better to refer the matter to the Works Committee. The Chairman said that the harbourmaster would be at the office to-morrow, and he (Mr Gourley) would undertake to see what Captain Macfarlane said about tho matter. Mr Thomson expressed himself as satisfied if the chairman would undertake to act at once if possible. The Chaibman said that he would do so. The motion was then put and carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S BEFOBT. The Finance Committee recommended that Mr A. Thomson having applied for a reduction of towage account it be reduced by half. Mr Joel's proposals re export dues were attached to the report and submitted foe consideration. On the motion of Mr Cabqill the report was adopted. 3 c y ) a c o c o y c c f c c il 1, c s y d y a c H n d if ;8 0 y c a c n c I, i, c o

EXPORT DUES.

Mr Joel moved the following recommendations with regard to export dues :— "(a) That there shall be levied and payable on the following goods shipped from the port of Dunedia a harbour improvement rate of 2s per ton by weight, via :—Wheat, barley, oats, pease, beans, and other cereals, flour, pollard, brarj, malt, meal, tallow, bones, ores, butter, cheese, and quartz, (i) That thero shall be levied and payable upon-the following goods shipped from the port of Dunedin a harbour improvement rate of 3a per ton by measurement of 40 cubic feet to the ton, viz.:—Frozen meat, wool, flax, fungus, skins, and live stock, (c) That there shall be levied and payable on all goods not otherwise mentioned shipped from the port of Dunerlin for shipment outside the colony of New Zealand, either directly or by transhipment, a harbour improvement rate of 2-j per ton; ana if shipped from the port of Dunedin for destination to some other port in the said colony there shall be levied and payable a harbour improvement rate of 9d per ton; and if any such goods (except straw, hay, chaff, bran, aud fi3h, which ahull be charged by weight), by measurement of 40 cubic feet to the ton, exceed the tonnage by 22401b to the ton, then such goods shall be charged and payable by measurement, and not by weight." In speaking to the motion he said it had been suggested to him by the Finance Committee that he should interview Mr Gillies and Mr Minms with the view of seeing how the recommendations would work out. He found that, calculating the revenue of the board this year upon last year's basis, that thero would be a probable increase in the revenue of about £275. His calculations were made in this way: There were 26 500 tons under clause A at 2s per ton, £2650 • 45,900 bales at Is, £2295; 118,860 carcases »t l§r], £742; 1000 tons of butter and cheese at 2s, £100; 27,100 tons of other goods coastwise, at 9d, £1016; -or a total of £6803. Thia amount would have to be reduced by £250, allowing for the difference that might be obtained upon 4000 tons of goods at Is 3d instead of 2n. This would bring the total down to £6553. Last year ihe revenue was £6030; but this year there would be an increase of dues on sheep by counting 24 to the ton instead of 36. The difference would amount to £248. If that were added to last year's revenue it would give total of £6278, and if this amount were deducted from £6553, the estimated revenue of this year, provided tb« recommendations were carried out, them would be an increase in the revenue of £275. He moved that the recommendations form part of the byelaws.

Mr Cabchll seconded the motion. Mr Mackerbas said he hoped that they would not tamper with the revenue of the board until they knew what these alterations meant. They required every penny of revenue that they got from the dues now levied, and before making euch a sweeping alteration as was proposed, the board should seriously consider the matter. The whole of these proposals had arisen because of the inclusion of beer in the 3s rate.

Mr Joel : Oh, nonsense!

Mr Mackerras said he held that beer was a more legitimate article to levy a rate of 3s on than many other things that were charged 3j. Mr Joel: Why? ■ Mr Mackebeas : It can bear it far better. Mr Joel : No. '

Mr Mackeebas said he claimed the chairman's protection against these impertinent interruptions of Mr Joel. The amount received at the present time on beer was £405 at the 3s rate. If the rate were reduced to 9d, the board would lose a large amount of revenue which it could not afford to lose. It was certainly proposed that on certain goods which had already paid 3s import dues there shonld be an additional due of 9 i when these goods were exported coastwise. That, he considered,was killing this port with a vengeance. Those goods which had already paid 3s import dues were to he charged an additional 9d in order that beer should bs reduced. He held that was a most unjust proceeding, and he thought that beer should be included in clause B of the recommendations. One reason, he •übmitted, why beer should be charged the 3s rate was that the board's sheds snd wharves were used more for it than aaything else. Another article of considerable consumption fihould also be included in the 3s rate—viz, phosphoric acid.

Mr Carroll : This should go to the com' mitteo to report.

Mr Barb asked if it was a fact that beer casks were allowed to occupy the board's sheds for weeks.

Mr Mackerbss replied in the affirmative.

Mr Cargill stated that ifc was reported to the committee in connection with this matter that in Wellington all goods sent through the wbsrves, whether ooastwiao or otherwise paid a uniform export rate. He was certainly under the impression that the suggestion that there should be a payment of 9d per ton upon goods going coastwise was not excessive, or that it would be laying a great burden upon the trade, The committee had gone into the matter ami they thought that 9d was not excessive, but it was for the board to consider whether it was a proper rate. Mr Dawson said not loDg sinco a deputation from the manufacturers of this city waited upon tbo board asking them to reduce the export rates on their goods. They had got to ship goods to all the northern ports of tho colony, and had not only harbour dues to pay here but also at the other ports, and were thus heavily handicapped. If they wanted to keep the manufacturers hero they must allow them to ship their goods at the smallest rate possible. They had to cut their prices very low owing to the excessive competition that there was now, and unless they got their good, shipped at as low a rate as possible they would not be able to corope'e with the manufacturers of other ceutres, aud the board would be killing the goose that laid the golden eggs. He thought Mr Joel's proposals were very fair.

The Chairman thought that the members of the board were not 6ulKcitmly conversant with the chauge presentiii by the proposals to give a

fair decision upon the matter. He advised a postponement of the proposals until the board more thoroughly understood them. Mr Babr suggested that the secretary be asked to prepare a written statemont showing how the proposals would affect the board's revenue.

Mr Mackebkas said it was suggested to a joint deputation of the Chamber of Commerce and importers that waitedton the. board that there should be an export rate of 6d upon goods going coastwise, and they seemed willing to accept that rather than make any trouble about

The Chairman agreed with the suggestion that the secretary should draw up a statement showiDg how the proposals would affect the revenue of the board.

Mr Allen said what had been suggested had already been done. This question had been before the Finance Committee, and the secretary had informed Mr Joel how it would affect the revenue to carry out the proposals. The matter had been before the public for some time, and the importers in town were expecting that there would be a change. He thought it would be well to bring the matter to a conclusion on the present occasion. The board could give the proposals a trial, and if they would not act well it would be a simple matter to modify them at seme other time.

Mr Caroiix thought it would be a great pity to postpone the matter indefinitely. He was attacked by a manufacturer the other day about the matter, and he seemed to think that it would be a hopeless thing ever to get any relief from the board, as there had been 60 much delay about it. The returns Mr Joel had given had been carefully prepared, and no further information could be got. It was, therefore, useless to postpone the matter any longer. Mr Mfickerras had laid great stress upon the article of baer. He, however, really did not see upon what grounds beer should be placed in an exceptional position to other things manufactured here. A great number of people were employed in its manufacture, and although the prohibition party would like to see it doce away with altogether the board had nothing to do with that. They had simply to deal with beer ea a manufacture. It was a leading industry here, and unquestionably it was of importance to the board that shipments of beer along the coaat should be fostered to the utmost extent. It was quite as deserving a thing for cultivation as candles, soap, and other things that wera manufactured in this city. He thought that beer should be placed in the same position as other locally manufactured goods. The motion for the adoption of the recommendations was then put to the meeting and carried, Mr Mackerras dissenting.