WHARF WORKERS’ ACCOMMODATION

Southland Times, Issue 25763, 29 August 1945, Page 6

WHARF WORKERS’ ACCOMMODATION

Board Wants More Information More information about the proposal to erect new waiting room accommodation for the waterside workers at Bluff is required by the Bluff Harbour Board. At a meeting of the board yesterday the secretary was instructed to write to the Harbour Boards Association for the information required. A letter received from the Minister of Marine (Mr O’Brien) stated that the inadequacy of the accommodation provided at present for the waterside workers at Bluff had quite possibly already received the consideration of the board. He understood that the Waterfront Control Commission had purchased a suitable section of land within 100 yards of the wharves and had made a generous offer in agreeing to meet half the cost when it was considered that the responsibility for provision of suitable accommodation was one for the Harbour Board. “It may well be that the present hold-up between the Waterfront Commission and the board is influenced by your proposed scheme to provide wharf accommodation at the western end of the town,” stated the letter. “But, whereas the new scheme would take many years to come to fruition, the waterside workers at Bluff are deserving of more suitable accommodation in the interim.” The Minister requested that the board reconsider the case, particularly in view of the fact that the Waterfront Control Commission had been generous in its attitude. TO COST £12,000 This building was going to cost £12,000, the board’s share to be £6OOO, said the chairman. The board was in an unfortunate position. Its finances were causing some concern and it could certainly not afford £6OOO at the present time. The board was also considering a new harbour scheme which provided for wharf accommodation at the western end of the town. It would be foolish to go ahead and build new accommodation and then find in a few years that it was quite out of position. Mr W. K. Cameron said there must be some misunderstanding about the price. He did not think that a building for accommodation would cost £12,000.

The secretary read a letter received in May from the Waterfront Control Commission. This stated that the commission desired as soon as possible to instruct its architect to prepare plans and specifications for the erection of new waiting room accommodation and administrative offices for the commission at Bluff.

The commission considered that it would be preferable for a new waiting room and offices to be erected on the site recently purchased rather than the erection of a new building at considerable expense on the wharf, the letter continued. It was estimated that the total cost of the building would be approximately £12,000, and the board was asked to agree to meet half the cost.

Mr W. A. Ott: The board simply cannot afford to spend £6OOO. Mr C. B. Tapley said that there was some suggestion that the shipowners would be subscribing to the building. He thought the board needed more information. It was questionable whether the site selected was the most suitable. Mr D. Harris suggested that it might be of advantage to meet the watersiders and discuss the question of a suitable site.

The chairman agreed that it would be wise to do so, but not until the board had received more information about the proposal.