IRONSAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 95, 12 June 1911, Page 7

IRONSAND.

APPLICATION TO AV AI TARA HARBOUR BOARD. At Friday’s meeting of the AVaital'a Harbour Board a letter was ierecived from Mr H. T. Curtis applying for a lease of the beach under the Board’s control, extending from the Waitaia River to three, miles eastward, with 600 ft. deep water frontage on the river, for a period of, say, 2o years, with option of renewal for another 25 years. He wished to he allowed to take sand from the beach, erect all necessary plant, aerial trains and wharves for tne purpose of extracting the ores, smelting the sand, and landing and shipping of fuel, plant and products, etc. He agreed to expend £2OOO in machinery and working the beach, etc., before December Slat, 1912, or forfeit the lease. Members were of opinion that the loavd should exercise care in giving away their rights, particularly as warded Lie (iOOfv. of river frontage, which they might require themselves. The amount of river frontage repined however, seemed . excessive, and f,hey must he careful that nothing was done to interfere with navigation. Members all agreed that he applicant should he given every reasonable concession as regarded the emoval of the sand. The question jf a guarantee that, the £2OOO to bo expended on plant would be expended on the site and not somewhere also was also discussed. Mr Curtis, who was present with lis son, an elect) ical engineer recently from the United States, stated that they did not want the sole right to the 600 ft. frontage. It was a matter of come and go. They wanted to erect wharves, as they expected they would he importing a lot of duif, and he hoped exporting some 100. The wharves would not. interfere with navigation. They did not want to lock up the forcsiiorc, pro-* riding they were not successful. II they were unsuccessful they stood to lose. They would like a long lease, which would be I’oileited it they -lid not comply with the conditions. This 'would give them a chance to stir the matter up. They would also like in option over the whole 1 rentage, i’he company was in America, and, if course, they • could not get going ;t once. II at the end ol the spociU>d term they could not carry on that would bo the out! of the mat ter. 'J hey wore not going t.i hawk it on the market. Of ‘course, as reasonable mo 'n, they 'thought the Board would meet them if only half the machinery had arrived. Same discussion ensued as to the terms on which the Board could lease. It was pointed out that the Amt give an exclusive right to the wharf, but would require to collect, dues on any stuff landed or shipped. , ~ ivir Hi no suggested insvt ns tny Board were agreed as to the primiple, it would lie advisable to ao point a small committee to meet Mr Jurtis, with the Board’s solicitor, and make necessary arrangements. Cilia suggestion was adopted, and the chairman, Messrs. Birdling and (Ticks were appointed the committee.