THE FORESHORE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6146, 19 August 1891, Page 3

THE FORESHORE.

Or Whinray said he saw there was anZ v /other application for the foreshore. He .•■'' - r 7 thought it most undesirable that any of 7 the foreshore should be let for business purposes, as the small revenue likely to be derived therefrom would very inadequately make up for the expense and inconvenience thus caused to the public. He would, therefore, move : — "Thafc fchis Council views with alarm, the present applications for leases of the foreshore above the bridges* which, if let under the mosfc favorable circumstances, could nofc return anything approaching an adequate return for the large outlay devolving upon this Council, and we would most respeofcf tilly urge the members of fche Harbor Board hot to. let any foreshore above the bridges, whilst th© large area below is still unprofitably employed, or indeed not used sfc all.' He did nofc think that the Harbor Board sliould entertain any application for the foreshore above the bridges. There was plenty of ground below the bridges for all practical purposes. They were constantly put to expense over the structures merely for the convenience of a very few persons. Ample facilities could be provided on the seaward side of the structures .for boatbuilding or other such purposes. In connection with the above resolution, he had the following notice of motion to give : — * ! Thafc this Council, in the interests of tneratepayers generally, represents to fche Marine Board in Wellington the desirability of closing the three bridges which span the Turanganui and Taruheru rivers, except to such river traffic as is adopted by Messrs Nelson Bros., the Turanganui bridge having been altered to suifc their boats and largely at their cost. Thafc no hardship would be entailed or inconvenience to thoso using the river, but that great hardship and inconvenience do exist to the burgesses genorally, and at a cost totally incommensurate with the interests served." Thhwasabigquestion,bufchehad been iuformed by competent authorities thafc the presenfc was an opportune time to move in the matter. They had allowed heavy expense to almost imperceptibly creep upon them. Nearly a third of the rates during the past two or three years had been absorbed in maintaining and opening bridges. Cr Joyce scarcely concurred in what Cr Whinray had stated. He thought thafc they should endeavor to get all the revenue from the foreshore possible. He thought fco close a pavigable river ib would be necessary fco pass an Acfc of Parliament. Cr Lewis said it was most uufair that the Borough Council should be called on to undergo heavy expenditure, whilst the Harbor Board got all the revenue. Cr Harding was in favor of the whole of tho foreshore being let. He thought the matter should be lefb to the Harbor Board, and the Council should not interfere. Cr Dunlop thought (hey should oppose letting fche foreshore above fche bridges unless a fair revenue was received. The Harbor Board had allowed a business firm to occupy a portion of the foreshore above both bridges without payment of a rent. The Mayor did not ayce with the ioefcition to fche Harbor Board, and he was of opinion thab it would nofc be well received by that body. With regard fco the application of Mr Burns, the site was most suitable for fche purpose. The rent would be small, bufc if they induced extra employment that should be an inducement; to grant a license for a site for a repairing slip. When Messrs Common, Shelton & Co. had i vessel coming through their men assisted in opening ths bridges, and little or no extra expense was thrown upon the local bodies. With reference to fche general question, he thought ifc would nofc be advisable to go to the Marine department asking leave to close the bridges, as if any large industry were established on the river bank they would have fco keep the bridges open. As for the Harbor Board receiving the revenues from the foreshore, they should remember thab the Board represented the ratepayers of both town and country. Cr Whinray's petition was adopted, and ho then gave notice of his motion on tho general question.