HARBOUR BOARDS BILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13999, 4 September 1907, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARDS BILL

OPPOSITION FROM BRUCE COUNTY.

~ The Harbour Boards Bill camo up for consideration at yesterday's meeting of Bruoo County Council. ' - Mr J. Allon, M.H.R., forwarded a copy of tho bill at present before the House of Representatives. Tho proposed constitution of the Oiogo Harbour Board as dis-

closed in tho bill ehowod a total of 16 iiiombcrs, appointed as follows:—Four by tho Government, throe by Port'Chalmere, two by Duncdin City, one hy tho' Boroughs of, North-East .Valley. and West Harbour, one by. the Boroughs o£ Maori Hill, Roslyri, rind,Mornington, one by the City of Dunbdin and- Borough of St. Kilda, one by tho Counties of Erueo and Clutha, one by tho. Counties of Tuapcka and Maniototoj 'one by tlic County of Waikouaiti and that;part of.'Waihenio Ootjnty not, in the Oamaru district, and ono by shipowners and payers of isrbour dues. Tho! Chairman of tho council (Cr J. Moelcy) .jaid tho bill had passed ite second reading in the House, and he observed that of the 16 members' who wore to constitute the Otago Harbour Board the six counties were" apportioned only half a member each. Ho thought boforo tho coiintiee wcro forced into'the position of bpjng represented on tho board-thoy should insist upon knowing what the , , intontkms of the board wero in dealing with tho harbour. Tho object'of tho inclusion of tho counties in the representation was, no doubt, to pave, fho way for taxation in iho future, and if there was to be taxation they should demand, to ( know where the money was to be spent. ■' Ki a. recent meeting o[ tho board Afr .Watson, one of tho ' mombore, had stated ; that two and a-htdf millions of

lnonoy 'had been expended on the harbour, a large proportion of which wae squandered on.the Upper Harbour. That etatoment, ho thought, had not, been satisfactorily refuted,' and boforo tho counties wore forced into tho ,ioeition of contributors to the 'boaroVs funds they should have a statement'of tho financial position. The ratepayers ;of Bruco County had not asked to, bo innluded in tho representation, on the board, and boforo they wcro so included tlioy had a right to ask the Government to except tho county from representation until ,tho ■- matter had been cpnsiderod by tho 'ratepayers. Tho preporderaneo of mombcra' imder the bill wont, to Dunodin ond suburba, and counties -would bo utterly , Cγ .Noble: It is propoeed to borrow iBlOfl.OOO,..». large ..proportion ,of which ie to bo. .expended in .the Upper Harbour. What, was required was a gdod harbour ! between tho Heads and Port Chalmers, and ho deplored tho Rpcnding of money on tho/Dpi>9i Harbour "ditch."- ITie country is ontitTed to moro say than it has in the management, of tho harbour,'aa without the country thero would -be- no need for a harbour ■at .aU. Tho country was at least entitled to equal representation with the town in tho matter. • •;■ '■'/■' Tho,Chairman: Tho- Govermnont nomi-. nees'..Will all bo Duncdin men. \ Cr ; Tkigg:' Havo wo any information that it is l tho intention of tho Barbour Board to.tax thei counties? The Cliairman: Thie county refused years ogoito bo taxed to keep .up tho Dunedin harbour. ■.'. > ■

Cr Bcgg: Wearo all Agreed] that fb is a wasto of money to rapentj money on tho Upper Harbour. The..Chairman: Two and a-lialf.millions

hayo been expended in making a harbour, ond no harbour has boon made. It is a

eneaking attompt to mako tho countic") Jiablo to contribute, and a'strong (protest should bo miwlo against it. I move—" That tho council respectfully 'aska the Government to'etriko Briioe County 6ff repreeenta•lion on iho board -until a' definite understanding is given as to what is intended to be' done'.-' ■ • . ■ ■..: ■

Cγ Bogg: Tho Harbour' Board h*e no

authority to tax tho counties. Tho board will bo .ooittrollcd by the provißions of. the bill.' y' \ The Wo, do not wish , to' bo inoluamin tho Harbour Board at all- With, half a member we would bo useless. I will add to my motion "that,tho county bo not included in .representation on tho board until tho ratepayers hayo boon coneultcd." I''hav6''no'-hceitatioh in saying in open eouneil tlwit in our rcp'roscntativo in Parliament wo havo a member who wiirprgtoot town interests «s against tho country. Cra Crane and Driver ako spoke, and tho latter sfated .that ( 11io country had always oppoeod expenditure of funds on tho Upper Harbour. ' . ■. . ,;. Or Noble,seconded the chair,man'e motion, which' was carried without dieso'nt.