THE HARBOR BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 3787, 14 April 1875, Page 2

THE HARBOR BOARD.

At the meeting of this body held yesterday, the Legislative Committee reported that on being made aware of the decision of the Commissioner of Customs in regard to the proclamation defining the harbor of the port af Dunedin, they consulted with th* Beard’s solicitor as to the amendments necessary to be made in the Otago Board’s Ordinance, 1874, and had instructed him to prepare a Bill to be submitted for the approval of the Board. Further, that as soon as the Provincial Council’s action is determined, the committee would submit for approval proposals for an Act of the Assembly. Reports by Mr Stephens, inspector of works, and by Mr Simpson, engineer, showing the work done by the dredge New Era and the steamer Peninsula in the long channel during March were read. Mr Simpson wrote “It will bo evident that in the face of difficulties met with in a temporary work of the nature undertaken, as explained in my last report, the cost will bear favorable comparison with dredging operations elsewhere. During the montti there has been dredged 6,069 cubic yards, at a cost of L 420 9s 4d.

A lengthy report from the Works Committee was submitted. They recommended that new buoy# constructed of iron instead of wood should be used in renewing the buoys and in marking the Harbor Channel, and that tenders be called for leasing the steam crane at a monthly rental. In submitting the monthly report of the work done by the dredge and the Peninsula, the committee testifies that there was great improvement i* the amount during the past month. Lengthy reference was made to the acceptance of Kincaid and M‘Quean’s tender for tha building of the new dredge, and it was stated that the committee have every reason to have confidence in the tenderers’ fulfilling satisfactorily their tender.

Secretary reading correspondence with the Commissioner of Customs relative to the proposed name of the harbor, Mr Tewsley moved the adoption of Mr Ktynolds’s suggestion that the name should be the “ Port of Dunedin.” As an amendment Mr M'Dbbmid who said it was only intended to improve and deepen the upper part of the harbor, he did not see why the people of Port Chalmers should be °f Dunedin, movedi hat the Port of Dunedin shall include all that part of the Otago harbor from a straight fine drawn from Kilgour Point to Grassy ~T he amendment was negatived, Mr M Dermid alone voting for it. A further amendment, moved by Mr Caboilli— that the Board would still respectfully press the propriety of altering the name to the ‘ Port of Otago, being of opinion that the objections to that alteration have little force and might be easily overcome; whereas the permanent adoption of the name * Port of Dunedin ’ will really cause inconvenience and serious mercantile complications, as being subversive of the settled understanding, existing from the foundation of the settlement of Otago”—was carried on the casting vote of the Chairman. Messrs Beeves Tewsley, and M'Neii voted against the amendment.