RATE FOR CARRIAGE OF COAL, BRUNNER TO GREYMOUTH, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO GREYMOUTH WHARF (CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1892 Session I, D-28

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1892. NEW ZEALAND

RATE FOR CARRIAGE OF COAL, BRUNNER TO GREYMOUTH, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO GREYMOUTH WHARF (CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO).

Betum to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 23rd September, 1892. Ordered, "That there be laid before tho House all correspondence that has taken place between the Greymouth Harbour Board, the Baihvay Commissioners, and the Government in reference to the action of the Commissioners in reducing the rate for the carriage of coal on the railway from Brunner to Greymouth from 2s. to Is. lOd. per ten also, in regard to the action of the Baihvay Commissioners in refusing to permit the Greymouth Harbour Board to effect certain improvements to the wharf at the Port of Greymouth."—(Sir. Guinkess.)

No. 1 The Seceetaey, Greymouth Harbour Board, to the Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks. Sib, — Greymouth Harbour Board, Greymouth, 15th June, 1892. By direction of the Greymouth Harbour Board I have the honour to transmit to you the following copy of a resolution which was passed by the Board at its meeting on the 13th instant, namely,—■ Besolved, " That the attention of the Government be called to the reductions made by the Eailway Commissioners of 2d. and 6d. per ton in the rates for carriage of coal and coke on the Grey-mouth-Brunner Eailway " The reduced rates are published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 3rd February last, on page 220, and are as follows Coal and coke dross, for shipment, reduced from 2s. to Is. lOd. per ton coal to Greymouth reduced from 2s. 6d. to 2s. per ton,' coke for export reduced from 2s. 6d. to 2s. 4d. per ton. And I am also directed to inform you that the Board cannot lose so large a portion of its revenue without jeopardizing its financial obligations. I have, &c, Thomas Allen, Secretary The Hon. the Minister for Public Works, Wellington.

No. 2. The Hon. the Ministee for Public Woeks to the Eailway Commissionees. Public Works Office, Wellington, 25th June, 1892. Ec Greymouth-Brunnerion Baihvay, Seduction in Bates for the Carriage of Coal and Coke. Memorandum for the Eailway Commissioners. I have the honour to inform you that the attention of the Government has been drawn by the Greymouth Harbour Board to the reduction made by the Commissioners in the rates for the carriage of coal and coke on the above-mentioned railway of 6d. and 2d. per ton respectively The Board is of opinion that the loss of so large a portion of its revenue will have the effect of seriously affecting its financial position and obligations. I shall be glad, therefore, if the Commissioners will kindly favour me, as early as possible, with an explanation of the reasons for making the reductions referred to. I have, &c, E. J Seddon, Minister for Public Works.

NO. 3. The Eailway Commissioners to the Hon. Minister for Public Woeks. (Memorandum.) Wellington, 4th July, 1892. Coal and Coke Bates, Greymonth-Brunner Baihvay In reply to your question regarding the Commissioners' action in fixing the coal-rates on the Greymouth Eailway, I have the honour to state that this railway, like the other Government railways

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vested in the Commissioners, was constructed for the public use and convenience, and the special provision in the Government Eailways Act, section 20, that in fixing the scale of rates the Commissioners shall give due consideration to the encouragement of industries in the vicinity of such railways applies thereto. In obeying this statutory instruction, the Commissioners have felt it their duty to limit their action so as to avoid in any way embarrassing the Government finances, and this obligation includes the consideration of the position of the Harbour Board, to whom the Government pays the net revenue of the Greymouth line. The railway revenues available for the Harbour Board during the past three financial years have been arrived at, thus : — 1890. 1891. 1892. £ £ £ Eevenue 25,085 25,197 27,145 Expenses 16,797 15,522 15,579 Net revenue £8,288 £9,675 £11,556 An average of £9,839 per year This average revenue, the Commissioners considered, would be increased during the current financial year sufficiently to allow of some reductions in rates to assist the local coal industries against the very keen foreign competition which now prevails, it may not be within your knowledge that Newcastle coals have been recently retailed in Wellington 6s. or 7s. a ton cheaper than West Coast coals can be obtained for, and it is a matter for regret that the Commissioners could not see their way to make a greater reduction. The Commissioners would suggest that if the Harbour Board can see its way to restrict its expenses so as to be able to dispense with so much revenue, it would be a judicious proceeding to make a further slight concession. James McKebbow, The Hon. Minister for Public Works. Chief Commissioner

No. 4. The Under-Secretary for Public Works to the Chairman, Greymouth Harbour Board. Public Works Office, Wellington, 12th July, 1892. Ec Greymouth-Brunner Baihvay, Seduction in Bates for the Carriage of Goal and Coke. Sir, — In reply to your letter of the 15th ultimo, forwarding copy of a resolution of your Board, drawing the attention of the Government to the reductions made by the Eailway Commissioners in the rates for the carriage of coal and coke on the above-mentioned railway, I am now directed by the Minister for Public Works to state that the matter has been duly brought under the notice of the Commissioners, and to forward to you herewith a copy of the memorandum which has been received from them on the subject. I have, &c, H. J H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works. The Chairman, Greymouth Harbour Board, Greymouth.

No. 5. The Seceetaey to the Greymouth Harbour Board to the New Zealand Eailway Commissioners. Greymouth Harbour Board, Greymouth, 6th November, 1891. In re Greymouth Harbour-works, Completing the Decking on Wharf below Johnston Street. Gentlemen, — By direction of the Greymouth Harbour Board, I have the honour to inform you that the Board request your permission to allow them to complete the decking on the wharf below Johnston Street. The work is urgently necessary in order to facilitate the loading and discharging of vessels and generally to increase the wharf-accommodation. The Board's engineer estimates that the work will cost £400. Trusting that the above proposal will meet with your approval, and requesting a reply at your earliest convenience, I have, te., The Eailway Commissioners, Wellington. Thomas Allen, Secretary

No. 6. The Seceetaey to the Eailway Commissioners to the Seceetaey to the Greymouth Harbour Board. Sic, — Eailway Department, Head Office, Wellington, 11th December, 1891. With reference to your letter of the 6th November, the receipt of which I had the honour to acknowledge on the 12th ultimo, respecting the Greymouth wharf, I am now directed by the Commissioners to state, regarding your desire to see this wharf extended, that they think you must be under some misapprehension as to the necessity therefor The working of the railway and wharf being in the Commissioners' hands, they desire me to say that they will see to the provision of such accommodation as may be necessary from time to time. I have, &c, The Secretary, Harbour Board, Greymouth. E. G. Pilchee, Secretary

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No. 7 The Secretary, Greymouth Harbour Board, to the Eailway Commissioners. Greymouth Harbour Board, Greymouth, 31st December, 1891. Gentlemen, — In re Greymouth Wharf By direction of the Greymouth Harbour Board, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, and, in reply, to inform you that the Board in their letter of the 6th November did not " desire to see this wharf extended," but " requested your permission to allow them to complete the decking on the wharf below Johnston Street;" and the Board beg again to point out that this work is urgently necessary, in order to facilitate the loading and discharging of vessels, and generally to increase the wharf-accommodation. A sketch of the proposed work is enclosed herewith. I have, &c. The Eailway Commissioners, Wellington. Thomas Allen, Secretary

No. 8. The Secretary, Greymouth Harbour Board, to the Eailway Commissioners. (Telegram.) 9th February 1892. Urgent.—l am directed by the Greymouth Harbour Board to request you to kindly telegraph reply to its letter of 31st December relative to Greymouth wharf. Thos. Allen, Secretary

No. 9. The Secretary to the Eailway Commissioners to the Secretary, Greymouth Harbour Board. (Telegram.) 9th February, 1892. In reply to your telegram of to-day, re decking of wharf, Eailway Commissioners direct me to state that the wharf being in their charge they will see to providing the accommodation necessary for the public. E. G Pilcher.

No. 10. The Seceetary to the Greymouth Harbour Board to the Eailway Commissioners. Greymouth Harbour Board, Greymouth, 21st September, 1892. In re Planking over Open Spaces in the Loiver Wharf, Port of Greymouth. Gentlemen, — I have been directed by the Greymouth Harbour Board to transmit to you the following copy of a resolution which was passed by the Board at its meeting held on the 20th September, 1892 :— Sesolved, " That the Eailway Commissioners be respectfully requested to plank over the open spaces in the Lower Wharf, and that the Board will vote the funds necessary to meet cost of same." I have also the honour to state that the above resolution is the outcome of a conversation between Mr. Maxwell, Eailway Commissioner, and Mr Nancarrow, member of the Greymouth Harbour Board, on Monday last. I have, &c, The Eailway Commissioners, Wellington. Thos. Allen, Secretary

No. 11. The Secretary to the Eailway Commissioners to the Secretary to the Greymouth Harbour Board. Sic, — Eailway Department, Wellington, 29th September, 1892. With reference to your letter of the 21st inst., receipt of which I had the honour to acknowledge on the 27th, forwarding copy of a resolution passed by the Greymouth Harbour Board on 20th September, I am directed by the Eailway Commissioners to inform you that instructions have been given for the open spaces in the Lower Wharf at Greymouth to be planked over, the funds to meet cost of the work to be voted by the Harbour Board. I have, &c, The Secretary, Greymouth Harbour Board. E G. Pilchee, Secretary Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation (not given); printing (1,100 copies), £2 Is. By Authority: George Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB92. Price 3d.]