HARBOR MATTERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15322, 18 September 1920, Page 8

HARBOR MATTERS.

[ Mr. F. .1. Lysnar (i-hairman of the Haroor Board) returned lo Gisborne to- ! day log' the purpose of attending a .meeting ot tne Works Committee of the r-arbor- Board on Monday. Mr.- Lysnar has been carrying on negotiations m, Wanganui witn Hie Wangahu. Harbor i Board V»th regard to the lure of the j dredge "Maui. He said he was unab.e to make any statement until after the 'meeting of the Works Committee, except tnat negotiations Were proceeding on very proni-s>ng lines. , Speakiiig with reference to the Harbor j 8.1., Mr Lysnar said he had met the local 'deputation, comprising Messrs. jM. Myers, senior .counsel,' 11. Chrisp, junior counsa., Mr. J. 'Mouat, and Mr. tl. Barton, Secretary to the Gisborne Harbor Board. Mr.* Lysnar .vas accompanied by Captain Carson. The deputat.on waited upon the : Local Bills Committee, and was introduced by Mr. W. JJ. Lysnar, Ml\, -wfio remained with the deputation, and addressed the committee, nnd also asked several questions. The members of the deputation gave eV. deuce before the Jx>cal Bills Committee, and were cross-examined by it, later withdrawing and leaving Mr. Lysnar, M.1., with the committee. Ihe mejnbers of the committee were greatly interested m the deputation's evidence and advocacy, and displayed great keenness m cross-examination. Later I was received by Mr. F. J. Lysnar that | the- committee had thrown out two of i the clauses of the Bill, those relating to the authorising of the payment of in- ■ terest at 6 per cent., and for the payment of the first five years' interest out of loan moneys. It was* pointed out to him that the legal maximum rate of interest payable on local bodies' loans was 5£ per cent., and the period during which interest could be paid out of the loan moneys was one year. Both these clauses w^re thought dangerous by the committee, as they conferred powers not available' to other bodies. Mr; yV. D. Lysnar, however, suggested that by inserting into the clause permitting the. payment of 6 per cent, interest, words placing the authority at the consent of the Minister, the danger nrght be avoided and the authority thus protected from abuse. This 'would, Mr. W. D. Lysnar considered, \ materially assist the local Harbor Board, and the members of the deputation were enthusiastically m agreement with . him. The matter was placed before the Works Committee, and later, on his way to Gisbornei Mr. F. J. Lysnar received from, the local member a telegram advisine;. 'that the Prime Minister had nereed t:> the insertion of the clause, while the, matter of the period during which the interest 'Could be paid out of loan moneys was still under conßide"ation. The chairman of the Harbor Board pointed out that so far the deputation had only dealt with the Local BTs. Committee, 'which would make its , recommendations to the House. All the ; clauses m the Harbor Bill, with the exception of the two mentioned, he understood, had been passed upon by the committee, Mr. F. J. Lvsnar stated that the deputation had interviewed Mr. Ferguson, of the commission of ens-tneers. As a result of the interview he was able to | state that; thorp was no prospect of p-et- | t ? ng a modified harbor scheme on. foot j at an early date. Some months must j <*lapse before any defiffite progress could, [ l><* mnde. Tlio commission of engineers d. : d not pronose to again visit Gisborne ■ vhless spec'flcallv requested to do so by ihe boa*vl. TJ-e Works Copimittc* of the H«rbor Board will deal oh "Monday with ii' letter f*'om the commission m. regard to. a mod : fled scheme, m which information is asked, to ob f ain which comprehens'v* borings w-'ll hay«» to 'b*. under-" taken by the board. Mr. Lvsnnr thought. i f brohßble that the conrhfttee would order the commencement of the borings at once.