WAITARA HARBOR BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 200, 3 May 1912, Page 7

WAITARA HARBOR BOARD

THE YEAR'S FINANCE. At the special meeting of the Waitara Harbor Board on Friday, after the motion for the adoption of the balancesheet had been moved and seconded, Mr. Hine spoke, and said his sympathies were with those members who had talked so much of economy, and failed to realise it. As a matter of fact, economy, if that meant a reduction of working expenses, was non-existent. He found on comparing the receipts of the current year with those of 1910, that the amount credited from ordinary sources—that is harbor due, pilotage, wharfage, etc.—was £2074, against £2006, or a difference of £8 only in favor of the year ended 31st December last. On the other side, the cost of ordinary working for this last year was £IOB6, against £999 for 1010, so that the amount paid for salaries, labor and sundries was £B7 more than the old Board had paid. Notwithstanding, then, this Board's talk of effecting economy, it had not been able to carry on as cheaply as its predecessors. It had to be remembered, further, that in the 1910 year more wool was handled up to 31st December (the time the balance-sheet was made up to) than was the ease this year. At the present time, the permanent staff was costing the Board exactly £ll7 per annum more than at the time the re-organisation was decided on. The report of the committee, when bringing forward the re-organisation proposals, said: "Although this effects a saving of £9O a year, it is not the primary object in view in regard to the re-organis-ing. The great need for efficiency in carrying out the work of the port is the distributing of the duties of the offices in a more practical manner, thus taking the first step towards progress." Though he had played a lone hand, it was observable from the balance-sheet that what he had said was justified.

Mr. Hicks remarked that the Board was not after economy, but efficiency. The balance-sheet was then adopted without further comment. The next business was the election of chairman.

Mr. Birdling said lie had great pleasure in proposing Mr. W. F. Jenkins as chairman for the ensuing term. He thought he was the right man. He was living in the town, was near the. Board office, and in daily contact with the harbormaster.

Mr. Smith seconded. Mr. Hine sad he would like to move an amendment. .It would be foolish for him to say that lie was satisfied with the conduct of the affairs of the Hoard, for his actions had shown that he was the very reverse of satisfied. Tie did not wish to dwell 011 the trouble they had had, the fiasco of the re-organisation, or the failure on the part of last year's chairman to make good his boast, that he would secure a loan to enable the Board to caTrv out improvement works. Mr. Hine proceeded to say that he did not wish to rub it in, as no doubt Mr. Jenkins was much occupied with his civic position. Mr. Birdling: But you are rubbing it in.

Mr. Hine: No, I am not. I am saying nothing personal, or anything contrary to fact. He did not thing Mr. Jenkins had done the office justice, and he would like to move an amendment that Mr. Birdling take the chair. Mr. Birdling said he would not stand. He was living out of town, and his business often took him away. He would also very likely be leaving New Zealand for a time during the winter. He thanked Mr. Hine for his proposal. The motion for Mr. Jenkins' appointment was then put and carried.

Mr. Jenkins said he had to thank his ] friends on the Board for the honorable position they had placed him in. He had done his best under most trying circumstances, and all the time had a great deal to contend with. Mr. Hine had gone around the town listening to the tittle-tattle, there being always someone to whisper tales without foundation. That Mr. Hine "was unable to get a single member of the Board to support him in any of his actions showed that he had a very poor ease. The chairman added that he had done his best according to his lights. The rush, of wool and the consequent trouble had not been his fault. The shipping company had previously paid some overtime, but this time refused to do it, and Captain Thompson thought he was protecting the Board's interests when lie said the Board would not pay it. Considering the large amount of wool got away in a short time, there was very little to complain of; in fact, Captain Thompson had done very well. Mr. Jenkins concluded by saying that his greatest enemy could not say he had grudged time given to the Board. He had freely given a great deal of his time to various matters affecting the port.—Abridged from Mail.