BLUFF HARBOUR

Southland Times, Issue 22474, 9 November 1934, Page 8

BLUFF HARBOUR

IMPROVEMENT SCHEME EXPLANATION BY MR HINCHEY FINANCIAL ASPECT “The opinions expressed by Captain A J. Charman, Marine Superintendent in the South Island for the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, upon the decision of the Bluff Harbour Board to construct harbour improvements costing not more than £200,000, calls for some comment from me as the mover of the motion,” said Mr W. Hinchey to. a Southland Times reporter yesterday. “Captain Charman is evidently under a misapprehension regarding the intentions of the board. “He refers to the original scheme as ‘an excellent one,’ and I agree with him. That was the scheme I dealt with in my motion and the board. altered it to ‘a scheme,’ in order that the hands of the engineer would be free to explore every possible scheme. “It is not the intention of the board, in cutting down the first cost, to destroy the possibilities of the future requirements of the harbour,” continued Mr Hinchey. “The intention conveyed by me to the board was to cut down the costs of reclamation, marshalling yards, streets and roads, sewerage and anything that is not required in the immediate future. Captain Charman’s suggestion that it is a modified or mutilated scheme is not intended. The board has to consider its financial position and to live within its income, its only revenue being that derived from the port, as it has no rating powers. “The port of Napier quoted by Captain Charman has rating powers over the whole of Hawkes Bay, a capital rating value of possibly £20,000,000, while Timaru has a rating value of £19,000,000 and Oamaru £8,000,000,” went on Mr Hinchey. “These ports with rating powers can take risks which the Bluff Board cannot afford to take, and the position, therefore, warrants caution and careful handling. The board is fully seized with the necessity of providing up-to-date facilities for shipping and tne requirements of the province. Those interested can be assured that it will endeavour to meet the situation and, at the same time, keep in a safe financial position.”