A MILESTONE PASSED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17116, 23 November 1929, Page 7

A MILESTONE PASSED

EAST COAST DEVELOPMENT WHARF AT TOLAGA BAY COMPLIMENTARY LUNCHEON. (Herald Special Reporter.) Another milestone in the history of the East Coast was passed yesterday when the Tolaga Bay Harbor Board officially celebi'ated the completion of the new wharf at Cook Cove, there was. a. large gathering of visitors and residents of the district, and the function at the wharf passed off with a considerable degree of success, the Hun. JG. Cobbe, Minister of Marine, maiam the principal speech, while Sir Apirana Ngata and other, practised speakers were heard with deep attention by the large crowd. After the function at the whar a complimentary luncheon was tendered to official visitors by the Tolaga Bay Harbor Board at the hotel, where an excellent repast was provided by nil. J. P. Hoare and his staff. Later a number of appropriate toasts were honored, the proceedings continuing until well after 4 p.m. Mr. E. B. Boland, cliaiiman of the Harbor Board, presided with success over the assembly. HEALTH OF THE HOUSE

Proposing the toast of Parliament, the chairman remarked that there were two representatives of the House present, each being of a different party, lie happened to be between them, and he presumed he could call himself the Speaker. Parliamentarians earned their money well, and he thought they deserved all they got. (Laughter and applause). The speaker commented that tffe politicians were there at the wish and as the choice of the people, and they were doing thenbest to conduct the affairs of the country in the best possible way. Their policies differed, hut each party thought that it was doing the right thing in the right way. It was essential, in Mr. -Boland’s opinion, that a party should have a definite policy, and wliile the Independents might have an easier time squaring their actions with their pledges, it was a party with a responsible policy that should have the affairs of the country in hand. The representatives present were for the moment out of harness, and could enjoy themselves in Tolaga’s midst for a time at least. The country districts could stand many nore visits from Ministers of the Crown, and. .would not growl if a little more money was spent in that way. (Applause).

DIFFERENCES OF POLICY ONLY. The Hon. J. Of. Cobbe assured the gathering that while members of the various parties might have their differences, they were mostly in the House to do their best for the country, and ihSir differences were mainly on what basis the country’s affairs could best be conducted. He, personally, was pleased to be able to attend this function, and to participate in the ceremony. Mr. K. S. Williams, M.P., declared that the only dispute he could have wifh Mr Oobbe’s itinerary was that it did not take in enough of the Coast. He agreed with the Minister that it was desirable for public men to get round the country and meet the people. His own opinion was that the more public men they could get to visit tho districts the better chance they would have of establishing a full understanding of their difficulties. Touching on the increase in the pay of Parliamentarians, which previous speakers had mentioned, Mr. Williams declared his ‘conviction that for many men itr'Parliament, and for many -who might serve the country well in the House, the pay of a Parliamentarian was. insufficient, and he strongly favored the increasing of members’ pay. (Hear, hear).

PROBLEM OF HARBOR BOARDS,

Proposing the toast of kindred harbor boards, Mr. ,T. B. .Morris remarked on the difficulties facing harbor boards on the East Coast. Between Tauranga and 'Wellington there was not. a natural harbor of any semblance, but despite the difficulties which handicapped them, the harbor boards had carried on, and as troubles arose, men hail come forward to meet them. The Tokomary Bay board had given Tolaga every assistance, and he took this opportunity of acknowledging that assistance. There was one consideration that should be kept in mind, in regard to the building of Ihe wharves on the East Coast; the more traffic they could put over the wharf, the more they could relieve the roads of heavy traffic. The Gisborne harbor district was lucky in one respect, that being the endowment at Tauwhnrepnrue, the result of a far sighted Movornmeut’s forethought. This district had no endowment of the sort, arid that was to be regretted. Mr. Morris concluded with a remark that, a good district could not be kept back, and the cutting up of some of the land at-the back of Tolaga Bay would bring the day when the wharf project would be fully justified. Congratulating the Tolaga Bay Harbor Board on .the completion of its planned harbor facilities, Mr. ,T. Toinbleson, chairman of the Gisborne Harbor Board, stated that it was hoped that eventually Gisborne would likewise complete is scheme. Though it, would not be as useful or comprehensive as they hail originally hoped, lie believed that it would lie a sound addition to the internal economy of the district. “SOUND, SOLID, AND SUBSTANTIAL.”

Mr. F. ,T. Williams, speaking as chairman of the Tokomaru Bay Harbor Board, congratulated the Tolaga board on the completion of a sound, solid and substantial structure such as this wharf. One did not need to be an expert, to see that, it, waq a good job, and he believed that the comparatively small community of Tolaga Bay had shown commendable pluck and foresight in undertaking this work. The small boards would havo many difficulties to meet in the future, but they could meet them, as they arose, with the same energy as they had shown in the past. Remarking upon the excellence of the job done by the contractor for tho harbor board, Mr. F. Tolerton, proposing the health of the shipping trade, drew attention to the immense influence exorcised by the trade on the fortunes of New Zealand. It was only 50 years ago, in fact, that the first shipment of frozen meat was sent overseas from this dominion. The development of that trade and the wealth of New Zealand was a monument to those companies which had taken the shipping of meat in hand. - TWO DISQUIETING FACTS. Replying on behalf of the shippers, Mr. P. McLeay, stated that two facts stood out at present in the shipping world. The blue riband of the Atlantic had passed into the hands of Germany, and for the first time in history Germany’s trade figures had exceeded Britain’s. Shipping companies had not been having too happy a time, and the big companies all over tho world were losing money, with the exception of those which had turned over to oil for propulsion. The general adoption of Diesel engines, he believed, would mean a tremendous decrease in costs, and the elimination of the factors which were making . shipping a most uncertain proposition. If they could rid themselves of the factors-. which caused delays, they could run much less expensively, ami mane efficiently. The wharf built at Tolaga Bay was such as would ahswer the needs of the district, and had been completed in an able manner. Mr. H. Bell joined in the congratulations showered on the Tolaga Bay Harbor Board, and remarked that better times were ahead for shipping men on this coast. (Applause.) COURAGE AND ENTERPRISE

j Alentioning that it was the most im- • portant of the afternoon’s toasts, the Hon. J. C. Cobbe proposed the health of the Tolaga Bay Harbor Board. The courage of the people in this district was to be commended, lie said. He regretted to hear from Mr. McLeay that shipping interests were not. in a very good way, but lie was reminded that most, of ' the millionaires of the Old Country were either bankers, brewers, lor shipowners. (Laughter). Settlement j 111 this district must increase, and as I production figures rose, there must be a greater demand for shipping faciliI ties and a better appreciation of the j work of the harbor boards. The Min--1 ister congratulated the district on hav- ; ing a man like Mr. Boland to lead the : board, and public-spirited men to supj port him in his plans for further developments. CONE AHEAD ON THEIR OWN

Replying on behalf of the board, Mr. Boland stunted that for 10 years the 1 board bad been cultivating its opporj tunities. They had hopes of receiving some Government assistance, but it aji--1 peared that this would have meant a | new precedent, and they had had to go j ahead on their own initiative. He had j just rerfqnded Mr. McLeay of a. promise to reduce fates on cargo when the ' shipping facilities had been improved. | Tho district would save 10s 6d per ton 'on lightering now that the river work, 1 with its delays and handicaps, had been cut out. Tho ■ board hoped to make further. savings through a big decrease in; freights. There was no reason so far as he could see why Tolaga could hot get the same, cargo rates as Gisborne. Though tliis had been refused bn one ' occasion, there was nothing to stop the i board having another try to secure, the I reduction. | The consulting engineer, Mr. Cyrus Williams, was. toasted on the suggestion of Mr. W. Lissant Clayton, who held that his own nomination for this short address was due. to the chairman’s curiosity. Mr. Boland had been present when he (the speaker) had made his first public speech, at the opening 'of the Uawa bridge. On that occasion he had failed to get beyond ‘‘Ladies and ' gentlemen.” (LaUghter). Engineers were entitled to the fullest degree of public respect. They built monuments to their own skill and and to the enterprise of the communities which employed them. He held that the Tolaga Bay Harbor Board would never have occasion to regret the work which they had that day seen completed. Mr. Cyrus Williams would always find among Tolaga Bay people an appreciation of his work as designer or consulting engineer on the new harbor works. PERMANENCY AN ILLUSION

In reply, Mr. Cyrus Williams, consulting engineer, expressed the wannest appreciation of Mr. Clayton’s remarks, jin agreed that engineers left monuments behind them, and lie hoped that the Tolaga wharf would he a long-lived monument and a successful one. Tie

| reminded the gathering that it was im--1 possible to secure permanency in u i public work, and if they found it necessary to give tins wharf a- Utile attention (lining tbc next 50 years, they must not mind. He was glad to meet a gathering of so cordial a nature, and to know that the job was a success. (Applause).

j Mr. G. Smitr, who planned the conversion of the buildings .connected with : the harbor, remarked that, engineers and builders were necessary evils. He believed that the buildings had satisfied those for whom they had been constructed,. and this satisfied him. The contractor and Mr. White-Parsons, the 'hoards’ representative on the contract, : were both deserving of full credit for their work. There was no question that; the wharf would assist, the prosperity of the district, and that the growth of trade would soon dispose of the necessity of a rate on property. : COURAGE AND OPTIMISM.

The toast of the contractor, Air. F. Goodman, was proposed by Air. H. E. Bright, who said that in all building schemes, the man who took the great chances was the contractor. Particularly was this the ease in connection with marine works, which, ho believed, required a great deal of courage and optimism. Mr. Goodman was a man of optimistic temperament, and his optimism had been shown to be well founded. Aha Goodman’s name would be associated with Tolaga’s progress as long as memory had any value. (Applause.) Received with an ovation as he rose to reply, Mr. Goodman stated that he was very proud that the job was finished—and very glad. He had waited for this day, and had had to wait too long. (Laughter.) Fortunately he had had tho opportunity of working with an engineer who knew liis job, and while they had had a few words at times, there had been nothing serious. The board had treated him well, and he was glad to think that, the members had had confidence in his intentions with regard to the job. He had had every assistance, and it was due to this assistance that the wharf stood there to-day. Some things had been dotie on the work that, had no parallel south of the line. The wharf was 2000 feet in length, on a rock bottom, and evory pile was drilled and driven. With regard to Mr. White-Parsons, who had represented the board cm the job, the speaker said that he believed this young engineer would achieve distinction in his future career. As a memento of his appreciation of the board’s assistance to him, Mr. Goodman concluded by making a presentation to the chairman, Afr. Boland, consisting of a handsome cabinet, the handing-over of which occasioned much applause. PIONEERS OF COAST SHIPPING. Replying to the toast of the pioneer settlers of Tolaga Bay, _ which Mr. Boland proposed, Afr. W. Lockwood briefly outlined the history of the lightering business in Tolaga Bay. The surfing of cargo was carried on by Air. Nelson Glover, who had taken him. into the business. The business had grown to an extent that finally permitted them to go in for two launches, which had served the port until the river conditions prevented their regular use. Then the district had gone in for a harbor board and a wharf, and as a pioneer in local shipping, he hoped that the whai'i would prove as successful in operation as it had been in its construction. Mr. Nelson Glover also spoke briefly on the shipping difficulties of the port. “The Maori race has grown to man’s estate, and is now able to take its place alongside the. pakeha race ,and bear its responsibilities in the same way,” remarked Mr. Iv. B. Williams, proposing the health of “out Afaori friends.” There was no one who would not recognise the Maoris’ rights, a-nd give them every opportunity to enjoy the privileges of equality of opportunity and responsibilities. Three further toasts were honored, these being “The Town and Trade of Tolaga Bay,” proposed by Afr. -T. B. Kells and responded to by Mr. M.i Afathcson; “The Visitors,’-’ proposed by Mr. D. Caldwell and responded to by Dr. ,T. C. Collins; and “The Press,” proposed by Afr. 11. F. Forster and responded to by Air. Stanley Aluir. The proceedings concluded amulst a renewal of congratulations to the Tolaga Bav Harbor Board and to others connected with the completion of the wharf. Cheers for the chairman and the singing of the National Anthem were the closing gestures.