OPUNAKE HARBOUR BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1932, Page 3

OPUNAKE HARBOUR BOARD

PRESERVATION OF THE ASSETS. The first monthly meeting of the newly-elected Opunake Harbour Board was held yesterday, there being present Messrs. J. A. Pettigrew (chairman), T. P. Hughson, J. S. Hickey, R. C. Watson, G. Prosser and W. A. Sheat. The secretary (Mr. H. E. Lodge) reported that since last meeting sandgrass had been planted in the enclosed area by relief labour. Patches outside the area would be attended to as labour was available. It had been reported that the wharf structure was becoming loose owing to the constant surge. Bolts had been broken. The cause was probably the extra strain it had had to bear by the spreading of the breakwater owing to the particularly heavy south-west gales lately. Mr. Hughson reported that with the chairman he had visited the port, and they had recommended that relief labour should be procured • to gather up the rails and clean up generally. The bolts in two stays at the end of the wharf had worked loose. Some of the plant required protecting with sheets of iron. The works committee was authorised to attend to these matters. Messrs. Sheat and Hickey made it clear they would not countenance any expenditure on the harbour as a harbour, but only to preserve the board’s assets. Replying to an inquiry from the board, *the Auditor-General notified that under the National Expenditure Adjustment Act all interest coupons or interest warrants in respect of any debentures or other securities issued by the board which, became due on or after May 14 and were presented for payment in New Zealand, were chargeable with stamp duty at the rate of 3d. for every 2s. 6d., or fraction thereof included in the amount, of such coupon or warrant. If interest was also paid by the board on moneys deposited with the board stamp duty at the rate abovementioned was chargeable. Mr. C. O. Edmonds wrote that by virtue of the National Expenditure Adjustment Act he was entitled to a reduction of £3 in the rent paid under his lease. He therefore claimed a refund of £1 10s. on the six months’ rent paid. It was stated that reductions would be necessary in the case of all leases. The finance committee was authorised to go into the question of adjustment of rents and report at next meeting. Mr. Hughson said a good deal of shingle had been removed from the foreswore. The clerk explained that royalty had been paid. Mr. Hughson considered those matters should be brought before the works committee.