OPUNAKE HARBOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1929, Page 11

OPUNAKE HARBOUR

(To the Editor). Sir,—T am not in the habit of entering into newspaper controversy, but I feel I cannot let the letter, of your correspondent “Taihoa" pass without a reply. (1) It is certainly unusual for a minority at any meeting to carry a proposition and it is usual that a chairman's easting vote constitute a majority, (2) And I have yet to learn it is a chairman’s responsibility (under New Zealand law—might be all right in Italy) to raise a loan and carry out public works of this class witnout reference to the ratepayers. (3) New Plymouth Harbour Board: I have j;et to learn why I, as a guarantor of the’New Plymouth harbour, as well as the Opunake Harbour loan, should be prohibited from exercising my rights as a citizen.

(4) I am pleased to note that ‘Taihoa” agrees with my proposition in the crucial point ‘‘That the expenditure of another £20,000 will make the port revenue producing"; that being the goal towards which I have been aiming ever since being elected to the board, and it would be clear to most people that the only means of reducing the burden of ratepaying is to make the port revenue producing, which, I am convinced, will be effected, providing the necessary shelter is afforded as suggested for the safe handling of ships and cargo. But not only will there be revenue from wharfage and harbour dues, to in a short time meet interest and sinking fund on new loan and gradually provide reduction in the assessible amount of old loan, but the indirect saving in cost of transit, which has been carefully gone into, which on a very conservative basis, may be put at £l*per ton on the average. It would be therefore clear to anyone of ordinary business ability that this saving outside of harbour revenue would more than compensate for all rate liability.

(o') “The question on most ratepayers’ minds is whether tho present board can be entrusted with the expenditure.” I question very much whether our friend “Taihoa” has the authority of the most of the ratepayers to make such a statement, and 1 would ask our to show us where another harbour in New Zealand under similar conditions can show better results for a similar expenditure, and .1 challenge anyone to prove maladministration by the Opunake Harbour Board.

Our friend apparently misunderstood the attitude of the majority at tae last meeting of the. board. It was not a matter of the ratepayers not supporting the scheme, but the board taking upon themselves to delay the matter (with its possible consequences of great loss) without referring it to the ratepayers. I desire to draw attention to the fact that the board is unanimous as to the needs of the extension to mole for necessary shelter, but the question is whether it should be delayed, and from my viewpoint I want to know what we are to gain by delay and also what possible losses in deterioration of plant and loss of shipping and revenue. In conclusion, I think that while our friend directs his remarks to a section of the board they arc- chiefly at me, and I am still under the impression that I have the confidence of the majority of the electors, having been returned on each election, and 1 also must conclude that I have, had the- confidence of the board, which for 16 years has returned me as their chairman without a contest on any of tho said occasions. My business ability appears to be also called into question and it would appear that if my services are not appreciated (as is usually the case with most public men) that it would have been better for my* S pff to have minded my ov.. business. It is quits right 1 am getting old, and I shall be only too- pleased to see young men of vigour and business ability come forward and take our places as long as the main object is achieved. I trust our friend “Taihoa” (wait awhile) will reveal his identity at the public meeting, where; I hope, the matter will be dealt with from its various standpoints. Thanking you for transgression on your valuable space, I am, eCC ’’ • T. P. HUCTISON. Chairman Opunake Harbour Boa.d. R.vholu, July 11.