HARBOUR BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 466, 26 March 1909, Page 5

HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETINC.

THE NIGHT SIGNALLING SYSTEM,

Tho monthly meeting of tho Wellington Harbour Board was held yesterday, there being present: Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P. (in the chair), the Hon. T. K. Macdonald, M.L.C., the Hon. T. W. , Hislop, Messrs. F. G. Bolton, M. Cohen, J. W. M'Ewan, F. H. Fraser, J. G. Harkness, C. W. Jones, C. E. Daniell, and R. Fletcher.

The Night-Signalling Committee recommended : (1) That a rearrangement be made of the order of the lights in tho nightsignalling system on the lines suggested by the Harbour Master, and that the present plans be called in. (2) That in every case in Tyhich works are to bo carried out tho scheme for such works be submitted to the board before being proceeded with. Mr. Jones said that , the British Board of Trade required officers of ships to learn the, Morse signaljing code. This was spreading iri Australasia. The oversea boats that came to Wellington used it, but could not get an answer because tho system was not in uso here. He thought ■ this was more desirable than tho night-signalling referred to in the report, and the Government should be asked to require lighthouse-keepers and shipa' officers to learn the Morso signalling code. Ho moved ail amendment to refer tho report back to the committee. Mr. M'Ewan seconded: the amendment. Mr. Fletcher opposed the amendment. He agreed with tho suggestion as to the Morse system, but contended that' a better nightsignalling system than the present one was required.

ihe chairman adopted a similar attitude. The board had the machine ready for tho proposed night-signalling system, and this should bo adopted, and the use of tho Morso system should bo kept in view for the future. The Hon. T. K. Macdonald, in supporting tho adoption of the report, urged tho advisability of trusting the experts employed by tho. board. It has been a mistaken policy in the past not to trust them more. He thought Captain Johnson's scheme was admirable. The old system of waving a light at the end of the wharf was out of date._ The chairman deserved credit for bringing ( the matter forward. 1 1 Mr. Cohen hoped Mr. Jones's suggestion would not be lost sight of, and if the board were not virtually committed to tho new scheme, h© would havo liked a fresh investigation to be made by tho committee. Mr. M'Ewan said the Morso system was admitted to bo tho most scientific, and tile board should therefore go in for it. Jlr. Harkness asked: Why not have tha most progressive system possible ? Ho suggested that things should remain as they were until tho board decided to instal the Morse system. The amendment was carried. The board, in committee, opened tenders for the supply of 204 tons of hoop steel -and six tons of studs, and resolved to accept the lowest, if in order. Tenders for annual supplies and services were also opened, and it was decided to deal with them in due course. J It was decided to address a memorial to tne Governor, asking for power to compulsonly acquire land at Miramar, in connection with tho Miramar wharf and Evans Bay reclamation schemes. Tho board resolved to retain the services of Mr. E. D, Cachemaille, acting-engineer, at a salary agreed on. It was resolved to pay £4000 to the Citv 2v"if ter , m , 3 , of . agreement under which the wood-blocking of part of Jervois Quay has been carried out, and to allow tho question of the removal of the lamp near Queen's Wharf gates, to bo moved by Mr. lUetcher at a future meeting. It was decided to order two wool-presses to replace those destroyed in the Into firo. Motions standing in tho name of the Hon. ?• Macdonald, dealing'with office accommodation and port charges were postponed.