The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1895. THE JETTY.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 98, 11 June 1895, Page 2

The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 1895. THE JETTY.

At the annual general meeting of shareholders of the Wharf Company, held on Thursday last, ways and means for reconstructing the jetty were discussed. Mr McGloin was of opinion that a harbor rating district could be formed between Pungarehu and Oeo, and that the settlers within that area would be willing to make themselves liable for a rate to secure a loan. In order to test this feeling he moved that meetings be held at various centres to get an expression of opinion. There is no doubt whatever in our mind that a rating area would be the most equitable way of getting every settler to contribute his fair share, and further, if a Harbor Board were established, it would enable further works to be gone on with when the increased trade of the port warranted them. On the other hand, there are very serious difficulties in the way of carrying out such a scheme. In the first place there would be the difficulty of getting a Bill through Parliament, as Harbor Bills are anything but in favor with our legislators, and there would be the cost and delay in any circumstances. In the next place there would be the necessity for a rate to secure any borrowing powers which might be conferred- on the district. Unfortunately rates are not sweet or pleasing subjects to settlers in this district, and it would need an extremely urgent want to induce them to make themselves liable for another. We are quite convinced, even if a rate were agreed to, that there would be no need to collect it, as the trade,of the port would be sufficient to meet all demands for interest and expenses. The bare fact, however, of mentioning a rate seems to be enough for most. Then the next difficulty, to face would be taking a poll. In taking a poll for a loan, it is not those alone who would vote against the proposal that have to be dealt with, but every absentee counts 'against any such proposal just as effectively as the live voter who rolls up and plumps his “ No.” The Premier, when recently in Opunake, remarked that an alteration would have to be made in the law with regard to polling loans, so as to do away with this unexpressed power of absentee voters. The first meeting in pursuance of the resolution passed by the shareholders was held yesterday, at Awatuna, and there was a unanimously expressed objection to saddling themselves with another rate. On the other hand there was a very unanimously expressed wish to see the jetty re-erected as they all recognised the immense benefit it would be to the whole district. One settler calculated that it would mean a saving in freight to the Awatuna Dairy Factory of from £SO to £IOO a year, and they having subscribed £IOO to the jetty it would thus indirectly return to them the amount in the course of a couple of years, whether the Wharf Company paid a dividend or not. The same argument applies all round, and if people look at it from this point of view we feci sure thoy will respond as heartily as the bad times and scarcity of money will permit. As stated at the Awatuna meeting, in any circumstances, it will bo well into next summer before there would be much of the money called up, and probably be nearly twelve months before the final calls would be made.