OPUNAKE HARBOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1933, Page 5

OPUNAKE HARBOUR

OBJECTION MADE TO SALES. DIFFICULTIES OF FINANCE. The monthly meeting of the Opunake Harbour Road was held on Friday evening. Present: Messrs. A. J. Pettigrew (chairman), D. Mourie, R. C. Watson, S. J. Hickey, T. P. Hughson and W. A.’ Sheat. :■ .■ ■■ ■ Mr. J. S. Tosland wrote protesting against the suggested sale of the wharf etc. The amount received for the sale would not be anywhere near its value, he said, and he did not see the reason why some individual should get the benefit of cheap timber. He would prefer to see the structure handed over to the New Plymouth Harbour Board, as that port was the provincial port for Taranaki, and if the Opunake area was included in that harbour district there would be a continuous district to the Waingongoro. The letter tranversed the cost of construction and other matters, and the writer concluded by stating that he preferred to see the structure left standing as a “monument to the obstinate stupidity of Opunake ratepayers” than that it should be sold for a mere song. On the motion of Messrs. Hickey and Mourie the letter was received. . 4 wmber of inquiries had sade j

from outside firms asking for details, of the machinery advertised for sale, it was reported. There had also been a number of local inquiries regarding conditibns of parts of the plant for. sale. The chairman reported in reference to the board’s water supply that arrangements could be, made for the supervision of the pumping plant and control of the supply.

Mr. Hickey said he had no objection, to this course meanwhile. It was his intention when they had the financial difficulties straightened out .. to; go - thoroughly into the water supply controlled by the board. If the business did not return 6 or 7 per cent, interest he was prepared to sell the outfi. Mr. Hughson moved that the works committee be empowered to arrange for ■the supervision on the lines .suggested by the chairman. He did not favour sell- ''■ ing the water supply equipment; it.wail i;, an asset to the board’s land endow*' ments. .

The motion was seconded hy. M*.,' Pettigrew and carried. i ■ Mr. Mourie reported that arrange- i . ments had been made with a tenant; (Mr. Ashworth) for. the supply of a cori-i tainer to hold water for stock in e pad* dock leased by the board. Mr. N. H. Johnstone, New wrote asking to be relieved of lease ojE section 1, block 3. The board could not create a precedent by releasing the. apw. plicant but would be prepared to facilitate a transfer, it was decided. • The secretary reported that the oVea». draft in the harbour fund account wafl. £7OO 10s. In No. 2 account the.. credit;. \ balance was £BOO 8s 3d. He had placed all rates unpaid for the year ended April 30, 1932, in the solicitor’s handfc: Excluding native rates the amount wafi £340. A total of £BOO has been paid to date. •

The members discussed for some tim®; the financial position of the board, paj*r ticularly with reference to meeting theis. liabilities to debenture holders. The dis*' . cussion, whilst hot open to publication,, showed that the board was doing everyfe’ thing possible to meet the difficulties. The finance committee had held special meetings and the clerical department was active. Regarding debenture hold-’ ers and the board’s liabilities the board had decided to hold a conference in Wel- ! lington with the debenture holders, and would place the position fully before them. There was no intention to default. The desire was to ease the burden and obtain the goodwill of the debenture holders. The conference would be held ‘ at an early date.