SOUTH INVERCARGILL.

Southland Times, Issue 3315, 4 February 1879, Page 2

SOUTH INVERCARGILL.

ADDRESS BY Mli KEMP,

Mr E. F. Kemp, a candidate in the interest of the suburban municipalities for a seat on> the Bluff Harbor Board, delivered a short address last night in the Presbyterian" Schoblhousej South In yercargUl. There wiis : a very small attendance. . '_"■' ;

Mr Peter Dalrymple was called to \the chair, and in the course of a few remarks expressed' the warm, interest which he felt in the prosperity of the Bliiff Harbor. He had had a large experience in such matters, and after having, during the last 24 years, been in and out of almost every harbor • in ';' New Zealand, he considered the 'Bluff ' Harbor was the best of them all, and that in the course of time it would be the future Liverpool of New Zealand. Mr Dalrymple then called upon Mr Kemp to address the meeting. Mr Kemp said that the main .thine; for the Harb.or : Board was- that those who sat upon it should be thoroughly acquainted with nautical affairs. He ;himself had been a nautical man for 20 years — having been about that length of time at sea, and .10 years., as a master. He considered, with, the Qhairinan, that the Bluff Harbor was the finest in New Zealand, at any rate the best on the south coast, "and that all that rwas required to develop it thoroughly was good management, which had; certainly not been shown in the past, and this never would be shown until there were the right and proper men on the Board, 'representing the various different classes and interests concerned, and including also one or two practical/ engineers. JETe then referred ;to the last published financial report:; and' balance-sheet ;of the Board,,' find ! criticised it '.severely. -The port and; pilot dues 'were mixed up when they shfriiTcT hiave been separate,- which prevented any comparison being made, in these particulars, with similar reports of other harbors. Again,'as to thelarge expenditure iir the blasting operations on : the Mid-channel Eock, he 'considered it was just "money thrown away, and he was rather inclined to think it had done harm, as the j blasted iTQck,; which was still j lying in the water; only caused further obstruction (hear, hear). In many other ways vague items of expenditure were put down, and should he be returned he' would be altogether against so loose 'a way of acting. He should' go thoroughly in for economy. As to a , steam - tug he said that must immediately be got; but nothing of the " Oomerarig" business, which should never have been mentioned. A suitable tug could not be got in : the colonies at all, and they would require to send home for one.' Some of the staff had privileges, quite unknown in the experience of other harbors in j,ny part' of' the world; " The present pilot should not; have received ithe appointment. He had been at the. plough tail for many years, and. although, he had been the captain, of a vessel, yet that was not a,. sufficient qualification, and pilots before being allowed to act should go through a special appi*enticeship. The pilot Smith he thought the best man for the berth, and if returned he .would support him. Buoys he'regafded as- most insecure guides to go by; and. there should be landmarks: All the'dues payable at ; the Harbor he regarded as much too high, and greater than; in other harbors. -The ' shipping would not increase as it should do until these were lowered. He thought, at least at present, when the shipping was so confined— about one ship in three days— that no harbormaster was required at all, and the pilot, as in some other harbors^ could undertake the duties of both. To further economise matters,: when the steam-tug was procured, he would be for the same crew s working's it- and the pilot boats

Several questions having been put and answered, ; : ; ;; - -.?/H <■'<''•:'• •■'•:;•.■:■' .• ■

Mr- JDairyraple said :; -that- Mr Kemp had shown himself to be a thoroughly good man as a candidate for the bpard,' that) he had given them many new lights, and he thought they were all satisfied. He 'then called upon anyOne to make a motion^ when .'i ; itolt ; „_;

i ; MnCJrisp inbved—M.That ! Mr' Kemp: was "a fit and proper person to represent the suburban obntstitueticies rat JthelHiarbor Board, and that to' secure his return a committee of dye or six persons be appointed,''' which was unaiiinibusly agreed to.^ m :^.P llf L •

The meeting tlien closed after Boiri&-pro- '•- ceedfiigs-' bf a'^ directly- /pQliticalK;character >rere gone, into, and for the discussion; of Which a separate meeting, \vithin -the same place and at the t same, hgiuf, was agreed to; 'be held next Monday evening. ; -rirro A :': '