THE MAUI POMARE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 7

THE MAUI POMARE.

LIABILITY FOR HARBOUR DUES. AUCKLAND BOARD CLAIMS PAYMENT. - . AUCKLAND, August 28. After receiving further correspondence on the subject, the Auckland Harbour Board to-day resolved not to abate its claim for dock dues on the Government motor ship Maui Pomare. The Secretary of the Cook Islands Department wrote asking the board to forward an amended account for out-of-pocket expenses only, stating that while the department declined to pay th e full dock dues on the vessel it was prepared to consider a claim of the nature referred to. He forwarded a copy of a letter written to the Wellington Harbour Board in July setting out the Government's attitude to claims for full harbour dues on the Maui Pomare. This stated that the vessel was not run for profit, but in th e interests of the islands and to provide a service which commercial interests were unwilling to maintain. It was probable that for some years the vessel would be run at a loss. The Government, however, would be prepared to review the position when the service had been placed on its feet. A letter from the Wellington Harbour board was also read. The acting chairman (Mr Al. H. Wynyard) said that both boards felt that the exemption should apply only to vessels used for purely Government purposes, and that when Government-owned vessels engaged in trade they should pay full dues as commercial vessels. One passage in the department’s letter was rather ambiguous; but it appeared to mean that the department was willing to maintain the principle that full dues should be paid and was prepared to ; ay them on condition that the board refunded them. Mr G. R. Hutchinson remarked that the Government seemed to be perturbed by the report of a committee on the question some time ago and was now ready to concede the principle, but not the profit. It was resolved —“That the board cannot see its way to alter its claim and approves of the attitude of the Wellington Harbour Board.” Mr Campbell Johnstone remarked that if there was a loss on the vessel for some years it ought to be borne by the whole of the Dominion and not by the harbour boards.