BY A MAJORITY OF ONE

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1929, Page 15

BY A MAJORITY OF ONE

COAIPLETION OF OPUNAKE MOLE. FAVOURED BY RATEPAYERS. By a majority of one vote ratepayers of the Opunake harbour district last night passed a resolution approving of the proposal to raise a loan of £’29,000 to complete the mole to 900 feet, and recommending the Harbour Board to take the necessary steps to accomplish that object. This was the outcome of the special meeting called by the board to discuss the proposal. Despite the inclemency of the weather there was an attendance of about 100 at the new theatre, Mr. A. J. Brennan, chairman of the Town Board, presiding. Messrs. T. P. Hughson, chairman of the Harbour Board, A.. G. Hardy, harbourmaster, and Vickennan, engineer to the board, addressed the meeting at length, stressing the point that if the breakwater was left in its present position the harbour would never be of practical utility for shipping and ratepayers would have to pay a rate for the balance of the loan term. On the other hand, the expenditure of £20.000 would complete the mole to 900 feet and would give sufficient shelter to ensure shipping all the year round and so enable the port to be revenue producing.

After several other members of the board had spoken and numerous questions had been answered, the resolution as above mentioned was proposed by Mr. T. P. Hughson, junr., and seconded by Mr. J. Kirkwood. On the voices it was declared lost, but on a show of hands it was declared carried by 23 votes to 21. A further recount gave a majority of one, the voting being 29 in favour aildsSS against.

■v The board" will meet to day to dis.tliq*’position.