HARBOR BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 3883, 4 August 1875, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of tho Harbor Board took place yesterday afternoon. There were present—Mr M‘Kinucn (in the chair), Messrs E. B Cargill, J. Davie, A. Mercer, H. M'Neil, 0. S. Reeves, H. Tewslcy, and A. Thomson. The Town Cleric wrote that the City Council did not approve of clauses 6 and 8 of the Harbor Board Validating and Empowering Bill in their present shape, and that, unless a modification of the same is adopted, it would be compelled to use what influence it possessed in opposition to those clauses when before the General Assembly,

The Clerk also wrote referring to the Secretary’s letter directing attention to the evil effects likely to ensue from the discharge of night soil into the harbor. He now informed the Board that the Council had decided not to gi ant any further permission for the connection of any private drains, carrying off night soil, with the City sewers which discharge into the harbor.

A long discussion took place regarding an action against Pilot Pat on for damage done by the barque Waratah, while under his control, coming into collision with the lighter Agnes. Captain Thomson reported, an 1 the master of the vessel sent in his affidavit that the pilot was not guilty of any negligence, but that the occurrence was purely accidental. Pilot Paton was adjudged by Mr llathgate to pay damages. —lt was re-olved to refer the question of the liability of pilots, when in charge of vessels, to the Board’s solicitor for opinion. A letter frun Captain Robertson asking for an increase of salary was referred to the Finance Committee. In regard to the proposal to have fui'thoi legislation to define and increase the Bv>rTs powers, it was un ntioued that the Hon. Mr Reynolds had telegraphed that, in the opinion of the Attorney General, the Ordinances passed by the Provincial Council were sufficient for all purposes excepting the rating powers, and provision was being made for these in an amended Marine Bill, Accounts for the mouth, amounting to L 1,415 7s 6il, were passed for payment. The Works Committee reported inter alia (hat possession of the powder magazines at Dunedin and Vauxh ill would be hj aided over ta.lhe Board on the Ist October, on the Board’s paying the compensation provided for by the agreement betwe n the Government and Mr

Walkem. 'l enders had been called for im provemunts to the Port Chalmers magaz'ne and they recommended the acceptance of Su-

therland ami Co.’s tender, subject to the approval of the Engineer. The committee should note that a considerable amount of work had been done during the month, notwithstanding the unfavorable state of the weather, and at the lowest cost that has yet been attained. The steamer Peninsula was repeatedly engaged in other servic s besides that of towing punts, and which, if valued, would go towards reducing the cost of towage, which is shown at 3s 10.JI per punt; whereas the cost of hiring towage before the purchase of the steamer was 6s and 7s per punt. They also recommended that the Inspector’s suggestion of placing LIOO at his disposal for repairs of pilot cottages at the Heads be agreed to.—The report was adopted. The Inspector’s (Mr D. G, Stephens) monthly report was read, stating that the dredges had been working at Rattray street wharf, and'the stuff had been deposited in the bay beyond Stuart street jetty, and also, when the tides permitted, at the back of the training wall. The total quantity lifted was 0,C5(1 cube yards at a current expenditure of L52115s 2-, d. Messrs Hawkins and Co.’s contract for extending the was not progressing so rapidly as was anticipated, and, at the present rate, will not be completed within the contract time.