HARBOUR BOARD MATTERS.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13410, 7 May 1912, Page 6

HARBOUR BOARD MATTERS.

CONTROL OF THE WHARVES

BERTHAGK A CCO3HMODATION

Yesterday afternoon, a doputalion from tho Nelson Harbour Board, consisting of Messrs.G. Macinahon (chairman), 'j. C. Mercer, W. Lock, and Captain, .Macnab, waited upoai tho Hon G. liaurenson (Minister for Marino), in ooonoction with the question of providing- adequate berthas© accommodation for ocean liners and control of the wharves. Tho deputation,was introdiioed by Mr Harry Atraoro, M.P.

Tb« Chairman explained tliat the wlvarves and seventy foot of tho land within tho immediate vicinity was owned by tho Railway Department. The Harbour Hoard had provided facilities for th© admission of ocean liners to t?w) harbour, but there was not a sufficient depth of water for them to bo at | tho wharf at low water. For thred hundred foot there was a depth of 25 feet, i !sut for tlio balance of. tho length of tho wbarf there was only IS feet at low water, and it was this portion that tho Harbour desired the Department to cirodge. Tho Hon Mr Millar had -promised to leave a- recouunondation that this work should bo proceeded with, and ho caked the Hon Mr Laureaison to i*ivo this juati'-pr his support when it was brought in-fore tho Cabinet.. Mr Macmtihon, pointed out thr-t one ocean liner !«x>kod for Nr!s,i:i had boon unable to <x>mo owing to their b'An^ insufficient depth of water ;;t tho ul;arf nt low water. I:i roiii-rd to iiui ivliorvw, Mr MacmaJion said ii'iit at pri^sc-nt the {iQsition w;:s uMs-iii-factoi-y, and the ISoard desired ie obtain o,>;\trol. Tho Ho,n Mr M"illar 1i;k1 pronji.'->od to look into tho matter ;uid hiv.) ■•. uggestod that a btisis of purchase rriirht bo a sum at ;?£• per cent, which would bring in an amount equal to tho present .revenue-.

Th« Hon Mr Laurenson: I'rotty strong torfus. What is the revenue of tho

wbarf ?

Tho Chairman: We don't know

hi reply to another qi'.estian by the .flimsier, it was rtntod t!;at J:?!O valu-oof the- wharves were estimated at £50,000.

Iliu Allni-slur asliod ir tlic Jioarri !:uid .% dredge capable of dohip; tho work reqaired, .and was informed that while tho dreclgo could do tho \v;>rlc thero was no placo in t3;o harbour where- the "spoil coald be deposited. It was explained th:it the Borird intend-od- to hire tho dredge Rubi Soddon to jirovide additioual facilities for ih-o admission of largo steamers, r.nci it was suggested fcliat tho Government might make arran.g©ments to hive her to do the work. .

The Minister said it wa3 an extraordinary thing for him to think that tho wharves were not owned by tho Harbour Board.

Mr Mercer said that- in addition to tho £60,000 already spent by tho HarIjoiir Board, the expenditure of another £5000 was contemplated, to provide further facilities, and it would lw> uselefjg expending this amount unless the li ail way Department did tho dredging at; tho wharf. Tho question of dual •cotrtrol had also boon r, soro point with tii» H:irbonr Board for a long time.

In reply to the Minister it was stated that the revenue of .tho lioard was derirod from harbour dues, pilotage, etc.

Mr Lock said that in asking that the 'Railway Department should do the dredging it was a matter that would bo for their own benefit. It ought to be dono by the Department in its own •interests.

Tho Minister Raid that oven if .th« .Hoard had to p.iy fiv© w """■'on the capital vali". >>*■ tho wharf, in view of ft.~ potentialities of the district, he I>eIteved it would be a good investment. [£ the Board could eonio to some ai'mhgesaent with the Department ho beliovod. it' v*'ould bo a good thing to do. As tho dredging required was on tho Railway Department's property it seemed -mly a fair thing that they should do it. However, he would lay the wholo position before Mr Myers (Minister for Kailways), and represent what had f;<?e« done by the Board. Speaking for himself, ho thought it was U fair proposition. Personally ho was in favour of tho dredging at the wharf being dbno !>y tho Dopai'tment. -■ .;

Tho Hon Mr Laurenson then mado a personal inspection cf tlie wharves, and ii;iw for himself what dredging was required. He was thanked for receiving vs deputation, and then proceeded to °«.^ parts', o? tlie. city, as 'reported ■pffi©wh.fere. .' ' :