HARBOUR FOR OPUNAKE

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1929, Page 5

HARBOUR FOR OPUNAKE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OBJECTION TO PROPOSED BILL. NEW SECRETARY-HARBOURMASTER The ordinary meeting of the Opunake Harbour Board was held at the board’s office, Opunake, on Friday when there were present: Alessrs. T. P. Hughson (chairman), J. A. Pettigrew, C. A. Trotter, R. C. Watson, H. Young and T. H. 11. Sinclair. Before proceeding with the ordinary business the chairman formally introduced Captain Knowles, who had been appointed harbourmaster-secretary to the board in succession to Air. A. G. Hardy. The chairman also extended a welcome to the new secretary, expressing the hope that the port would develop under the administration of Captain Knowles, who no doubt would have to meet some opposition. In connection with the legislation that the board was having put through the House in regard to the proposed loan, Air. A. H. Moore intimated that he had drafted a clause for insertion in the Bill, providing for the payment of the expenses of the promoters of the Acts of 1908-1909 and 1912 as provided for in the original Bill, but not carried out by the board, though they had paid their antecedent liability out of the loan without legislative authority. That clause had been approved by Alessrs. AlcKedwn, chairman, and G. W. Rogers, secretary of the committee. He had also protested against the injustice and unfairness of ratepayers of the town, district having to pay three times more rate in the £1 than ratepayers outside the towndistricts, especially as, he pointed out, the clause had been introduced by a board containing a majority of country members..; ’ ’ • Air. Moore pointed out that the town ratepayers were already under that differential liability .in regard to the £55,000 rate, and he submitted that the benefits from the use of the port would be no more to the town than' to the county ratepayers. In fact, the latter would be more likely to receive a reduction in costs as the result of the harbour construction. He suggested, therefore, that- the board, in view of the' necessity therefor, should obtain the right of submitting two issues at the £20,00(1 loan poll, namely, (1) I vote for the £20,000 loan on a level rating liability; (2) on a rating liability basis of ratepayers of the town district paying three times the* amount in the £1 capital, value as that paid by the ratepayers outside the Opunake town district. If the board adopted these proposals, Air. Aloore added, he was prepared to withdraw his opposition. At the invitation of the chairman Air. Aloore waited on the board and.submitted his proposals.

THE CHAIRMAN’S REPLY. The chairman, in reply, stated that as the majority of the members were not familiar with the position he had again gone- into it and submitted the following review:— First, regarding payment of promotion expenses, the chairman pointed out that whereas section 6 of the Opunake Harbour Board Amendment Act, 11108, stated the board “may,” in his opinion it should have read, the board “shall,” and Mr. Moore would ;doubtless remember that when Mr. McKeown moved in the matter when the board was formed that the chairman seconded his motion, but the motion was declared lost. Mr. Hughson said that he then gave notice of motion to move at the next meeting, “that the board recognise the - promotion liability and payment be made when funds are available,” but when he moved it lapsed for want of a seconder, although both Air." Moore, and Mr. McKeown were-pre-sent. Then some years later when Mr. McKeown waited on the board in the matter he again supported the payment of promotion, but was overruled. Consequently the chairman decided that he would not take any further steps in the matter. Second, regarding payment of antecedent liability without legislative authority, their antecedent liability was in regard to the purchase of the old wharf sheds, boat, etc., and while the AuditorGeneral quibbled at the method adopted by the board, the chairman was able to convince him of the authority as per clause 8 of the Opunake Harbour Act, JOBS, and clause 3 of' the amendment Act, 1912, the authority thus being admitted. Third, regarding rating liability, he thought Mr. Moore and Mr. McKeown had most to do with the promotion” of the 1908-1909-1912 Acts and the 1909 Act, clause 4, the provision whicn Air. Moore now r objected to, and the speaker presumed that his objection was in regard to the further £20,000 loan. That matter was considered by the board, but it was decided not to ask for altered legislation in that direction as, on the showing of the secretary’s canvass, cargo offering if improved facilities were given would provide sufficient revenue to pay interest and sinking fund on the £20,000 loan and leave a balance of approximately £4OO to be disposed of. Air. Moore appeared to have misunderstood- that. Then the keeping of the rate levy under one heading would naturally simplify the duty of collection and the whole district would reap the benefit of the shipping revenue. Lastly, he did not consider the ele-k of the county council should be the so’..* judge in the matter of compensating promotion expenses, but he was of op:nion that the IL-rbour Board should be the deciding factor on vouchers or evidence produced. Air. Moore said the clerk of the Eginont County Council was secretary of the committee at the time. DISPOSAL OF THE FUND, Replying to Mr. Trotter Air. Moore considered the total amount.would be in the vicinity of £3OO. It should be beneficial to the board to hold the money and pay it to individuals in preference to handing it over in a lump to the committee, as some of the individuals might not claim it. Regarding the differential rate, he, pointed out that at the time New Plymouth was seeking a loan and proposed to place the Opunake county district in the third schedule, eliminating the town of Opunake altogether. To induce the county district to join the Opunake harbour area the promoters had to give some quid pro quo. Aloreover, at that time it looked as if the townspeople would get. a big benefit by securing their fuel more cheaply. He submitted figures showing that even

with a level rate on the £20,000 loan the town would be paying twice as much in the £1 as the county, and so would be assuming greater responsibility. The chairman said the board had discussed the matter but it was felt inadvisable or unnecessary to make any alteration in view of the fact that the increased revenue would more than pay the additional rate. Mr. Pettigrew agreed that the expenses should’ be paid when the board was functioning fully and could do it. If Mr. Aloore could convince the county ratepayers that they would receive as much benefit as the town ratepayers he would be doing the board a great service. The country ratepayers complained that the town ratepayers not only received most of the benefit but also dominated the position with the voting. Air. Aloore said he would like the boarj to consider the matter, as otherwise he must proceed with his objection. The chairman said the board had considered the rating aspect, and as a heavy town ratepayer he was satisfied, and so were the majority of the town ratepayers, that as the result of completing the harbour the amount of produce coining through the port, especially from the South Island, would more than meet the expenses of the new loan, and in time would eliminate the rate altogether. The figures had been carefully compiled. Im deed, some of the information had been gleaned by Air. Aloore himself, who was a very keen advocate of the port at one time.’He admitted that in their original calculations fuel had been a big item, and even now there could be a considerable saving effected in that item. He personally was willing to leave the matter to the sound judgment of the ratepayers after they had had the evidence put before them. Captain Knowles,- the harbourmaster, submitted his first report, which showed that he had arrived on September 23 and had spent till Friday with Air. A. G. Hardy, the retiring harbourmaster, inspecting the works, etc. - On September 25 the s.s. Arapawa arrived but was unable to berth. owing to the heavy swell. At a special meeting of the works and finance committee it was resolved to recommend to the board that additional accommodation be provided for the harbourriiaster as early as possible. The recommendation was adopted and the works committee was authorised to engage an architect to prepare plans and call tenders for the erection of two rooms.