THE WAIMAKARIRI HARBOUR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 528, 19 October 1915, Page 11

THE WAIMAKARIRI HARBOUR.

IMPROVEMENT APPROVED. LEGISLATION TO BE PROMOTED. The adjourned conference of representatives of local bodies repre-1 scnted on the Waimakariri Harbpiir Board and members of the board was held last evening. There were present:—Members of Harbour Board: Messrs W. Doubleday (chairman), B. Lissaman, J. W. Barnard, T. Keetley, K. Mcintosh, and L. B. Evans. Kaiapoi Borough Council: Messrs J. H. Blackwell (Mayor), H. C. Revell, T. R. Leithead, H. Mcln- S tosh, S: Rinaldi, J. Bryden, and J. W. Crawshaw.* Rangiora County Council: Mr F. Horrell. Eyre-County Council: Mr R. 0. Dixqn. Mr R. Evans (Eyre County) wrote regretting that indisposition prevented him attending. The conference was convened by j the Harbour Board, with the object Jof securing the co-operation of the local bodies interested in the passage of legislation through Parliament, authorising the taking of a poll %) form a rating area, to.secure loans, with the object of opening up the bar.

The chairman intimated that the Harbour Board had agreed to submit to the conference the report of Mr F.-W. Furkert, acting-marine en T gineer, as a basis for a scheme of improvement. Further, they had adopted the estimates of the . Harbour Improvement League as a basis of discussion.

Mr Blackwell said he understood that the conference previously had practically asked the board to give the conference a lead. This had now been done, and the information askeVf-fdr was before the meeting. He quite realised the responsible step it was for the head of a local body to practically move that it .be, rated for a scheme such as was mooted; The ; district was satisfied that th.e . projected scheme was ■. a good one, arid that the time was more than ripe to put the trade of the ; river" upon a' much better foot ing. -Both Mr ; R. W. Holmes and,M-r F. W. Furkert were of opinion that the scheme would provide a workable hdrbour. When the work was complete the board had every son to believe the harbour would be self-supporting, A loan "of £20,000 at most would be necessary, v He moved: — "That this conference of representatives of local bodies forming the area of the Wainjakariri Harbour Board district, having considered the board's scheme for improving the river by the erection, of .a traiiiing: wall at the bar, approves same, and recommends the board to take the necessary steps to carry 'it l into effect, and arrange for the formation of a rating area." Mr H. Mcintosh seconded. INFORMATION WANTED.'

Mr ,F. Horrell contended that the conference had bden. adjourned to enable the Harbour" Board td furnish the local bodies with the information. No, such information;had beensubmitted to his. council, and. he could hot say whether his council would support or oppose the. Enabling Bill the board had in view. He contended that £20,000 was quite insufficient* for the purpose. That amount might open the bar, but there were other expenses. He did not know if they could secure any information upon a similar sandy bar as the Waimakariri. Great difficulty was experienced in keeping the Lake Ellesmere mouth opened, and he thought the cases were similar.

The Chairman: Many of the captains that trade in here have told me that this will be the easiest river to control in New Zealand.

Continuing, Mr Horrell pointed out that in 1876 the board were applying for endowments to provide for loans of £50,000. If it was necessary to borrow that amount then, no less would suffice now. The present proposal was only the thin end of the wedge. They would need a dredge which would cost £20,000 to keep the river open to carry 500 ton b.oat. Suitable wharv - and a turning basin would also be required. He estimated that the river could not be put in proper order under a capital cost of £45,000. ' He criticised at length the figures submitted and contended that the receipts were over-estimated. The Otira tunnel would probably be finished when the harbour was in order, so that the estimates would be subject to revision, especially their coal and timber. The change in conditions of North Island farming rendered, the figures of outgoing produce in.years gone by useless.. They would not be able to get any line of steasmers to use the port regularly if it were opened.

Mr Horrell moved as an amendment—"That this meeting of delegates is opposed to the Waimakariri Harbour Board promoting any rating Bill until they are prepared to lay before the ratepayers an approximately correct estimate of the proposed cost of opening up the river for navigation, together with all requirements necessary for shipping; etc., and also the revenue likely to be derived when such work is completed; and, further, that the delegates are prepared to recommend in the proposed Bill an extension of the rateable area to include those boroughs and counties suggested by the Waimakariri Harbour League, who will probably participate in thei benefits of having the river opened, and also the constitution of the board." : Mr J. Wright seconded the amendment. '-!■!•■ THE DISCUSSION. Mr* R. O. Dixon supported the demand of Mr Horrell that the information asked for should have been supplied to the local bodies. |

Mr Lissaman said that the report of Mr Furkert was founded upon a basis that was not sound. With the opening of the Soutk Island MainTrunk line Kaikoura sheep would come by rail. He contended that the people who would have to pay would not get any advantage. Mr H; G. Revell said his association with the board convinced him that it was impossible for them to continue as? at present. The people of 4he town were very earnest in their desire to open the port. They had an encouraging reflex of opinion from the country districts lately in the 'recent election, and it was selfevident that the people w-ere favourable to improvement. Mr. HorrelFs estimates were p of a purely theoretical character. He (Mr Horrell) wanted an elaborate scheme which Would cost money. Let them have the power to ask those interested to form themselves into a rating area. Then would be the time to bring down estimates. Mr Dixon rose-to speak. The Chairman: You have already spoken. Mr Dixon (heatedly); You put false information before us and won't allow us to ask questions about it. Mr Horrell objected to Mr Revell (saying that he was opposed to improving the river at all. Mr Revell: It is the natural deduc- - tion that anyone listening to Mr Horrell's remarks would arrive at. Mr Blackwell explained how Mr .. - Furkert had arrived at the inward and outward tonnage to which isome exception might be taken. The information before the meeting was slightly misleading, but it did not affect Mr Furker£s report. Mr L. B. Evans advocated trust- • ing the people. To open the river would confer/*an immense, advantage upon the community. Mr Rinaldi ridiculed the idea of gentlemen present backing their op- .' ihions as against the expert opinion of the Marine Department's engineers. .'; * ■

, Mr Blapkwell dealt at length with Mr Horrell's contentions. Anyone who visited the bar when it had a., straight' run out would be convinced of the soundness .of the scheme". With an eight foot river they need a 12ft bar. Mr Horrell's anticipations as to dredge and wharves might come in time. Under normal conditions the Government w6uld have assisted the project and they could surely look to the Government to, liberally treat the board in the matter of a railway, siding. The amendment was lost, Messrs Lissaman, Dixon, Horrell and Wright * supporting it. Theanbtion was carried on the voices.

THE RATING AREA. Mr Blackwell moved: "That the • ." bteOthe present district of the board." Mr Reveil seconded. . , Messrs Lissaman,.Dixon, Horrell, . atid Wright spoke in -favour of the extension of the rating area. The Chairman:" We can safely _ leaye the; area to the Committee of , the House of Representatives., The proposal was carried.