THAT INKER HARBOUR

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 342, 28 August 1933, Page 5

THAT INKER HARBOUR

Napier Controversy ' !

MR. JULL AND THE BOARD

It was thought that the long debated subject of the Napier inner harbour had been disposed of onco and for all by the earthquake upthrust but it still provides topics for lively discussion by the Napier Harbour Board. Mr, A. E. Jull, M.P., th’e persistent protagonist of the inner harbour, provoked another series of brisk exchanges' at a meeting of the board last week. A dredging proposal to excavate, at a cost of £550, a channel to make the Westshore slipway accessible was submitted by the proprietor, but the chairman, Mr. T. M. Goddis, remarked that although the board was anxious for something to be done it might not bo wise to make a decision at the present s(agc\ and ho moved that the matter ho referred to the works commitee for investigation. . Mr. Jull protested that that course would get them nowhere. “The question seems to me to be whether it is the intention of the board to keep the inner harbour open,’’ he said. Silting Difficulty

Mr. R. McLean said it seemed hopeless to try to do anything at the inner harbour. Work done this week could be undone next week, because of the- silling. “It seems rather like the birds coming home to roost that Mr. Jull should get up now and express concqrn, when for the past 12 months ho has blocked us all he can,” remarked Mr. L. Stephenson.

“For mouths Mr. Jull has endeavoured to force the board to spend money on dredging at tho inner harbour,” said Mr. P. F. Higgins “I would point out to Mr. Jull that during Juno we spent £3OO in the channel and that was undone weeks ago* without any flood. The other works he proposes would go the same way.” Ho added that he wondered what Mr, Jull’s motive was.

The board’s engineer estimated that it would cost £10,657 to clean up the inner harbour altogether. “I have strong suspicions that certain interests arc trying to force tho board into having to levy a rate on land again,” said Mr. Higgins. Ho was quite satisfied that Mr. Jull did not want a harbour at Napier at all; he would do anything to oppose development at the breakwater, because it was at the breakwater. “Mr. Juil’si political power is so strong that he can obtain authority for the expenditure of £II,OOO on maintenance work,” said Mr. Higgins, “and if that is the' case, then there is something wrong in New Zealand —something scandalously and seriously -wrong. If we got it. we’d spend it, nothing would be done at the breakwater, and next year we’d need another £II,OOO all over again. That is the powerfuH position Mr. Jull is in.”

MoMon to Defer Mr. E. J. Herrick, moved an amendment that tho matter be held up pending a reply from the Government in regard to the board’s application for the diversion of the £71,000 o£ unexpended loan moneys. “I think it is a very, very improper thing to defer this,” said Mr. Jull.

The Chairman: You think you can hold it up a bit longer? "What you are seeking to do now In deferring this matter is to hold up the expenditure of any money whatsoever,” said Mr. Jull. He addr,d that some time ago, when shippers and producers were apprehensive regarding the possibility of the inner harbour being usable, the chairman; had said that the boaid would put on every piece of machinery it had to keep the port open. The Chairman: I didn’t anticipate any work behind the scenes. Mr. .Tull: It is a very; improper thing for you to say that I have put in any work behind any scenes. It was recalled by Mr. Jull that when a deputation from the board visited the Prime Minister, he (Mr. Jull) was there.

The Chairman: You were not invited. >

Mr. Jull; I was there, and I was entitled to be there, as every member of the district was entitled to be. The Chairman: You were not invited to leave the room; we’ll pul it that way.

Mr. Jull: I was invited by the Prime Minister.

Mr, Higgins: And l no doubt you saw him afterwards. Mr. Jull: I am explaining—

The Chairman: You should do your explaining to the electors of Waipawa, and I would like to sec your explantion. I wouldn’t care to have to do it. Trade Impeded Mr. Jull: wove got no the position, wucie me trade cant be carncu on. uirough the inner harbour. Mourners have Deem playing for that position. The chairman asked Mr. Jull to wuudraw his remark. Mr. Jull: it is my opinion.

Mr. juil urged that the board should make separate application, as he had previously suggested.

The Cuairmau: I have made repeated application every mourn for me last seven months.

Mr. Jmt then moved as an amendment tuat the board make application for the transfer of a sum of £2OOO lor urgent dredging work at the inner harbour.

Mr. Higgins; Two thousand would be a flea bite.

Mr. J all: Well, I'll make it £2500 to be on the safe side.

The chairman ruled th,e amendment] out of order. The board, he said, had applied to the Government seven months ago. Owing to certain circumstances which he could not discuss, the board’s application had not yet been considered by Cabinet. It had been approved by the Loans Board, and — Mr. dull: No, it hasn’t. The Chairman: It has. Mr. .lull: Well — “I will make this public statement, ’’ said the chairman. “The board’s application has been approved by the Loans Board, and, as indicated to me by the Acting Prime Minister on the telephone this morning, it will come before Cabinet this week, and wo will get a definite reply.” Mr. Herrick’s motion was carried, Mr. dull alone voting against.