THE HARBOUR BOARD.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13096, 3 May 1911, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE HARBOUR BOARD.

(From " The Colonist," May 2.) The newly elected Harbour Board, «'hich met for the first time yesterday has to thank its predecessors for tho extremely careful administration ihich has left the Board's affairs if. such a healthy condition financially. We believe we are correct in stating that the Nelson Harbour Board must be credited with a unique performanco in having financed the very largo improvement scheme without recourse 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 tho port. Tliis 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 we haye frequent practical evidence that liners may gafely 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 the first to calhhere for outward cargo. The smaller typo of linor, however, is becoming obsolete much faster than was then thought would be the case, and we have had intimations from tho shipping com-panies-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 tho 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 the 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 j largely influenced by the length of tnne 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 the future. 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 pro. sent. How this ideal can best be attained is a matter for the 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 will 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 will satisfy the requirements of the district—is accomplished. Mr Graham, who relinquished the office of chairman of the Board yesterday, is entitled to the gratitude of the district for his devotion to his duties. There have been many—and wo 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.