THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Tuesday, May 2, 1911 THE HARBOUR BOARD.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13095, 2 May 1911, Page 2

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Tuesday, May 2, 1911 THE HARBOUR BOARD.

The newly elected Harbour Board, 4-hich met for the first time yesterday, has to thank its predecessors for the extremely careful administration rhich has left the Board's affairs it. such a healthy condition financially. We believe we are correct in stating that the Neljson Harbour Board must be credited with a unique performance irf having financed the very large improvement scheme without recourso to a special rate. There could be no stronger testimony to the economy of the past administration than the fact that interest and all other charges have been met out of the revenue of the port. This is in accordance with the undertaking given before the work was commenced that the harbour would be opened for ocean liners and that no rate would be struck to enable it to be done. That promise has been kept, and wo have frequent practical evidence that liners may safely work the port. The manner in which the improvement scheme was carried out, and the benefits actually secured, and those which might have been obtained, are matters of discussion upon which we do not wish to enter now. It is clear, however, that further improvement will become necessary in the near future, if it is not necessary now, to retain the advantages which have already been gained. It was not anticipated when the harbour improvement scheme was undertaken that there would be any necessity for many years for Nelson to provide accommodation for larger vessels than those which were tho first to call here for outward cargo. The smaller type of liner, however, is becoming obsolete much faster than was then thought would be the case, and we have had intimations from the shipping companies trading to the port which cannot be ignored that a greater margin of safety would be required before they could feel justified in sending vessels of the larger classes to Nelson. At the same time we know that it will' not be very long before these will be the only vessels by which a regular oversea trade can be effectively maintained. To develop the oversea trade so successfully initiated, especially in tho case of fruit shipments, Nelson must provide such facilities that it may be a first port of call and the last of departure. The success of fruit shipments i i largely influenced by the length of tune the produce is on the water, and as the industry grows in importance it will become a serious matter if the conditions existing at the harbour necessitate vessels loading for Home to take in Nelson fruit among the first cargo and spend some weeks at other ports before finally clearing for Europe. To remove that necessity should, in our view, be the main objective of the Board in tho futuro. The port must be maintained in such a condition that it may be safely worked by the largest vessels which may reasonably be expected to require accommodation, and permitting of Nelson being among the first ports for the discharge of cargo, and the last for loading for overseas, in place of the reversed order which obtains at prosent. How this ideal can best be attained is a matter for tho Board to determine. The question of the dual control of the wharf is also to engage attention. This does not seem to be a matter of pressing importance, and it wjll probably be found best to continue the existing arrangement between the Board and the Railway Department, subject to such alterations as may seem equitable, at any rate until the larger aspect of the Board's function — the provision of a harbour which w.ill satisfy the requirements of the district—is accomplished. Mr Graham, who relinquished the office of chairman of the Board yestorday, is entitled to the gratitude of the district for his devotion to his duties. There have been many—and we have been among the number—who have not at all times endorsed Mr Graham's actions and policy, but it is impossible to doubt that during his long period of office he" has made the interests of the port his own, and that, especially with regard to finance, the present satisfactory position is mainly due to his efforts. We have every confidence that his successor, Mr Macmahon, will prove a painstaking and efficient chairman ; and that the Board will loyally devote itself to the task of keeping the port abreast of the requirements of the district.