THE GRAVEL QUESTION.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 54, 26 September 1885, Page 2

THE GRAVEL QUESTION.

In conformity with the resolution passed at the Borough Council Board, a deputation consisting of Mis Worship the Mayor and Ci’s. Joyce, Lewis and C’.

Smith waited upon the County Council on Thursday for the purpose of asking the County Council to join the Borough Council in urging the Government to take such steps as may be necessary to define the tidal boundaries of the Waiapaoa river, with a view of vesting the limits between high and low water marks in the County Council or any River Board constituted for the preservation of the Waiapaoa river. In stating the objects of the deputation His Worship said the Borough Council having received a petition asking them to take some such steps as that proposed, and the Borough Council, feeling that the County Council should be asked to co-operate in the majter. It had been decided to interview that Council on the subject. The question was, as whether it was not advisable to get the foreshore of the river between high and low water vested in a public Body. The river bed had been of the greatest value both to the Borough Council and also to the County for many years past, and might still prove to be so, and on this account it would be a wise thing to have the same vested in a river Board, or in the County Council if constituted a River Board. There was no wish to trample upon private rights, as if the proposed course was adopted it would simply decide as to the public rights and settle the tidal boundaries. The Chairman said the Government generally objected to interfering in such matters.

His Worship thought there was no doubt but what the Government would be perfectly willing to settle the question as there could be no difficulty in the matter, and it would only require Mr Blackett to give an opinion. The river had long been a source of danger and trouble, and it was necessary that the difficulty should be grappled with sooner or later. The Government was not likely to be unfavorable to the application. The Chairman thought the Government would only refer them to the decision lately given in the R.M. Court. His Worship did not for one moment think so. as althougn the Government did not like its officers interfered with, it was always ready and willing to consider such a point as that suggested. Perhaps he was not indicating exactly the right point, but the Government would soon see their way to the question.

Mr Joyce said there was little else to urge, as Mr Delautour had pretty clearly explained the opinion of the Borough Council. If he (the speaker) went into the rights of the question it would lead to a long discussion, and that was to be avoided. The river gravel had been of the greatest use to both the Borough and County, and it would have been impossible to have made their roads but for its assistance. Up to the present time it had been the only place where they had ever got any metal with the exceptian of a little indifferent stone from Kaiti. Even now, he noticed that the County Council were calling for contracts for gravelling the roads, and where were the contractors to get it from, if not from the river bed. He thought that the matter should be cleared up, and the County Council was equally interested with the Borough. The Borough Council would be most willing to co-operate with the County in applying to the Government so as to bring the matter to a settlement.

Cr Ferris said it was not a question of gravel, but of tide.

Cr Chambers said the County Council had already twice decided upon this matter, and he saw no reason why they should now alter their previous decision. The whole question had arisen out of a private quarrel, and the Council should not interfere. There was not much gravel wanted from there, and the Council could always take what it wanted under the Public Works Act, and by paying a proper compensation for it. As the County Council had already decided upon the question he did not see that they should alter it now.

Cr Gannon did not think that any Council should interfere in a private quarrel, but the present was a public question which affected the whole community. It was not alone a question of gravel, but of the control of the whole river. They all knew what vageries the river had played, and it affected not one or two but the whole of the settlers along its banks. The County had already identified itself with the river by voting sums of money towards the preservation of its banks. He could not possibly see any grounds for objecting to act in this matter; but on the contrary it was clearly the public duty of the Council to take the proposed steps. He could not see how any Councillor, if he fulfilled his public obligations, could raise any objection to the proposed application. Cr Chombers (interrupting): It is out of the sphere of our public duty. Cr Gannon said the proper sphere of the Council’s duty was to protect the interests of the public, and to administer the affairs of the Council for the public good. That was one of the Council's greatest functions. (Mr Brassey. who stood by, here interrupted the speaker.) He (Cr Gannon) did not see what right Mr Brassey had to interrupt a Councillor when he was speaking. Mr Brassey was not a Councillor, and his behaviour was most unwarranted and unseemly. Perhaps there was not three good lawyers in the Colony—especially if he judged by Gisborne, but at any rate there was'one good one, and by taking the proposed course they would have the benefit of the opinion of that one. His Worship thought it would perhaps be better for the deputation to withdraw and losivc die Council to dis-

cuss the matter alone. He would await the result outside.

The Chairman would object to the County Council being constituted a River Board.

His Worship said that was only a question of detail. The County had already tried to get a River Board constituted, and this would be a fitting opportunity to carry out that desire. All that was sought was to get the tidal part of the river vested in a public body. The thing was nothing unusual as the Government were daily doing what was being now asked. It was entirely unnecessary to go into the legal questions, and the Council had nothing to do but to consider the matter from a public

The deputation here withdrew. Cr Chambers would strongly oppose the Council being* constituted a Road Board. If the ratepayers liked to form themselves into a Road Board they could.

Cr Gray called attention to the fact that an Act for preventing people from taking gravel from river beds, had been passed last sessions, and he could not see any harm in asking the GovernmeJßpk to take the proposed course. He not see any objection to asking the GoM vernment to define the tidal boundaries of the river.

Cr Chambers : Let the Borough Council do it.

Cr Gray then moved : “ That this Council apply to the Government to define the tidal boundaries of the Waipoa River, and that the Borough Council be asked to co-operate.” Cr Gannon would second the motion as it was their plain duty to do this. He had no personal feeling in the 1 matter, and looked upon it as a plain duty.

The Chairman certainly could not see the harm of asking the Government to do this, but he would object to the Council being made a River Board. Cr Smith said if the river was proclaimed a tidal one the Harbor Board could claim the foreshore. Cr Ferris said that it appeared that all the Council was required to do was to ask the Government to define the tidal boundaries of the river. The matter had been discussed from a public point, and all private reference had been avoided. The thing should be done with, the Waipoa River, and no no doubt before long the same thing would have to be done with the Waimata. Th motion was then agreed to, and the subject dropped.