WESTPORT HARBOUR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144198, 15 September 1913, Page 2

WESTPORT HARBOUR.

INVESTIGATION OF CHARGES. PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION. . WESTPORT, Sept. 14. The Westport Harbour Board Commission resumed its inquiry yesterday, P. T. Munro giving lengthy evidence under different heads included in'the inquiry. He considered that a large quantity, of. small stone tipped on the breakwaters might as well have been tipped into the sea, for all the good it did. Mr. Betts, ex-inspector of works, was responsible for loading the stone, and was, in charge under the engineer when some 80 feet of breakwater was flattened out. Witness considered that the former board had not shown foresight in failing to prevent the private acquisition of laud on the west side of the river. Past charges had not been adjusted so that the shipping should bear a fair share. The coal trade was in the hands of a combine which reaped a huge profit without paying legitimate charges for services rendered. The trAding accounts, of the board did not sufficiently reveal their transactions. _ When ho took office he inquired concerning the Ruby Seddon pipes, and the secretary was unable to give him any information. The engineer then suddenly remembered that they had been loaned some six years ago, and were now doing duty as smoke-stacks to sawmills in the country. The engineer had, since. sent an account for the pipes, but, witness thought the price charged was only half their worth. The board had hired its plant and lent the services of the tug to Mr. Foster, in connection with the Motueka Harbour contract, Mr. Foster being at the time a member of the Harbour Board, and it had not been paid, the board not even getting a deposit. -