WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD SCANDALS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 19897, 15 September 1913, Page 4

WESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD SCANDALS.

(Per Press Association.) WESTPORT, September 12. Messrs. Evans, SM. (chairman), Ferguson and Fitzgerald, sitting as Royal Commission to-day, took evidence concerning the Westport Harbour Board affairs.

Mr. H. F. Munro; the present chairman, gave evidence mairily to the effect that the administration in the past had beeh'of a very loose nature, and there was much wasteful expenditure^/* Comparatively little was accomplishea , out of a, loan of £200,000 raised for specific purposes. The Engineer informed him that the cost of the breakwater was about. £80 a foot, but his inquiries showed that it cost £176 a foot. Witness was told by the engineer that there were 22 men employed on the maintenance of the permanent way of the Cape line of eight or nine miles. „ Twenty maintained the Westport-Moki-hinui (Government) line of 28 miles. Witness got dissatisfied with the administration of the group of officials, and alleging incapacity and extravagance, replaced the Inspector of Works by another man, who reported that there were 33 men employed on the Cape line. He detailed the waste in other directions, and claimed that for the past six years there was an absolute lack of supervision. Evidence was also given by Captains Lobb, Barron, Poorly and Cain to the effect that a mistake was made in constructing the eastern breakwater beyond the western, making it more difficult to work the port, and that the entrance to the floating basin under construction was difficult and dangerous for large vessels. All agreed that wharfage accommodation could be found tor shipping for a long time to come without going on with on with the floating basin under construction was difficult and dangerous for large vessels. All agreed that wharfage accommodation could be found for shipping for a long time to come without going on with the floating basin. Better lighting at; the entrance to the port was also required. The Commission made* an inspection of the port in company with the shipping masters, and resumes in the morning. WESTPORT, September 14. The Westport Harbour Board Commission resumed inquiry yesterday, F. ; F. Munro giving lengthy evidence under the different heads included in the scope of the inquiry. Ho considered a large quantity of small 'stone tipped on one of the breakwaters might as wen have been dropped into the sea for all the good they did. B.etts, ex-inspector of works, was responsible for loading the! stone, and 'was in charge under the engineer when some 80 feet of breakwater flattened out. Witness considered tho former Board had not * shown foresight in failing to prevent private acquisition of land on the west side of the river. Port charges had not been adjusted so that shippir.tr should bear a fair share. Tho coal trado was in the hands or a combine, which reaped a big profit without paying legitimate charges for services rendered. The trading accounts of the Board did not sufficiently reveal the transactions. When he took office ho innuired concerning the Ruby Season pipes, and the secretary, was unable to give him any information. The, engineer then suddenly remembered* they had been loaned some six years ago, and wore now doing duty as smokestacks to sawmills in the country. The 1 engineer had since sent an account for I the pipes, but witness thought the pricii charged was only half their worth. Iho Board had hired plant and lent the services of a tiicr to Mr. Foster in connection with the Motunka Harbour contract. Mr. Foster being at the time £ member. The Hnrbour Board had not been paid, not even getting a aoposit.