HARBOUR AT OPUNAKE

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1931, Page 5 (Supplement)

HARBOUR AT OPUNAKE

WORK OF THE PAST MONTH. MEETING OF THE BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Opunakc Harbour Board was held at Opunake yesterday,- when there were present Messrs. T P. Hughson (chairman), J. Pettigrew, T. H. H. Sinclair, R. 0. Watson and H. Young. . . The Unemployment Commissioner (Mr. Malcolm Fraser) forwarded par-j ticulars of the No. 5 scheme for the placing of unemployed labour with local bodies on useful works. The chairman said that at present the board was not employing anyone. Owing to lack of funds the board would not - be able to carry out anything but very urgent iwork. Mr. Pettigrew said there were plenty of farmers in the same position, having plenty' of work to offer, but no money to carry it: out. ' -It was pointed - out that under ■ the’ No. 5 schenib, which operated until theend : of March, the Unemployment Board would ■ provide All the- money for the labour if the local body would provide funds for the material, etc. Mr.'Sinclair remarked that the Harbour Board had plenty of material in the shape of stones available for the completion of the mole. It was resolved to . reply regretting that the board was not in a position to take advantage of the scheme. The secretary of the Marine Department notified that the Commissioner of Taxes was ■ preparing for the United States Government a statement setting iqut the various tax systems on harbours in force in the Dominion, including dues charged, etc., and he asked that the board forward a ; copy of its: bylaws. •

. The secretary (Air. H. E. Lodge), reported that since last meeting, the re-; pairs to the fences of Reserve Block IX. had been completed and water laid on to the reserve. The roofs of the. wharf shed and blacksmith’s shop, had . beenpainted. The new tank stand had been completed, And as one of , the tanks was not worth re-erecting a :70Q-gallon new galvanised tank had been' purchased. A New Plymouth firm had purchased,; nine pile shoes.' Rates were coming in very slowly, and he suggested- that the..necessary resolution be- passed l authorising the imposition' .of the 10 per cent, penalty. The report .was adopted and a resolution was also passed imposing the 10 per . cent, penalty on , all rates unpaid after a certain date. The board’s solicitor notified that steps were being taken to have charging orders placed on Native land covering rates totalling £155. The- secretary stated that of a total rate of £4251 17s. Bd. that had been, levied, only £B6l 6s. lOd. had been paid, leaving £3390 10s. lOd. outstanding.