HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20964, 1 March 1930, Page 9

HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS.

PORT AND. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. A CONFERENCE SUGGESTED. In October last the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce submitted a report to the Otago Harbour Board with respect to harbour improvements, and there lias since been some correspondence between the two bodies. At the last meeting of the chamber it was decided to send a letter to the board expressing keen (disappointment that no action had been taken. It was pointed out that there were matters in the report of paramount importance to the commercial and farming community of the city and province, and that the chamber was strongly of opinion that the board should indicate what action it proposed to take. The Harbour Board decided at its meeting last night to forward the following reply;— tive of your chamber should feel disappointed because the board has not informed it as to what action is being taken in regard to various points referred to in the report which was prepared by a committee of your chamber and submitted to it. You will readilv recognise that the Otago Harbour Board is a duly constituted public body, charged with the responsibility of maintaining and improving the harbour for the benefit of the district which it serves and in the gerieral interest of the community, so that while it sets much value upon the report of your chamber it cannot so far abrogate its functions as to accept, or give effect to, proposals or suggestions made by another body, very careful consideration, which involves some necessary delay. At the same time the board recognises that in the performance of its functions it has a duty to give heed to suggestions made by anj' such body as your chamber, which has special knowledge of commercial requirements and which no doubt, equally with the board, is desirous of promoting the general welfare. Now, while not feeling called upon to make interim reports to your chamber as to its movements, 'it has not been letting rest, and, with your suggestion before it, it has for some time been attempting to secure a satisfactory arrangement for railing Victoria wharf, but that is all that can be definitely said at present. On other questions arising out of your report, the board is of opinion that a useful purpose would be served by arranging for a committee of two or three of your executive who are conversant with the purpose of your report, to meet and confer with a committee of three members of the board, when other matters could be dealt with in detail. The board will be pleased to know if your chamber favours this suggestion.” Later a letter was read from the chamber inviting representatives to attend a general meeting of the chamber to be held on Monday night to discuss matters which were brought before the party during its tour. Mr Sharpe said that there was another matter on the order paper for the meeting. It referred to general business, and he thought there was food for a very good discussion on the Harbour Board.

It was decided that as many members as possible should attend.