OTAGO HARBOR BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 4192, 3 August 1876, Page 3

OTAGO HARBOR BOARD.

The fortnightly meeting of the Board was held this afternoon ; present, Mes3ra Turnbull in the chair), Davie, M'Neil, Tewaloy, Ritchie, and M'Kinnon. The Deputy Harbormaster wrote coni- » plaining of the state of the Rattray street Wharf at the present time. Owing to repairs gang on the two beab steam-boat berths were not available. The road was unfinished at the lower part of the? wharf, after one day's rain it was almost impassable for drays heavily laden, j When the Board considered that the principal imports hers were timber, they would sn& the

difficulties labored under. Notwithstanding that there was very large wharf extension, not more than one-half was available.—Mr Tewsley mentioned that this matter had already been considered by a deputation, consisting of himself and Mr Davie as representing the Board; the Mayor on behalf of the Corporation ; and Mr Green, for the Provincial <J overnment. Each party wished to shift the blame off their own shoulders. It appeared that the Corporation should form the road part of the way, and that the Board and Government were under similar obligations.—On Mr Davie's suggestion, it was agreed to remit the matter to thi; whole committee to enable the three parties interested to sec what could be done in i;.

Inspector Stephens reported that the total quantity dredged and deposited during July was 13,974 cubic yards, at a total expenditure of L 617 16s 3d, of which the New Era bad lifted 11,832 cubic yards, at a cost of L 456 16s l|d, or equal to 9d per yard ; and the side dredge 2,142 at a cost of L 167 Os lfd, or equal to Is 6sd per yard. The towage was 822 punts at a cost of Ll6l 7s lOd. The Peninsula being unable to keep the dredges as they are now situated constantly going, he employed the p.s. Portobello to tow from the side dredge such punts as the Peninsula couldnottakeaway. Bythatmeans the side dredge would be more constantly and therefore, as the results show, more economically employed than previously. Tt will be necessary this month to lay up the Era for her periodical overhaul to j dreding machinery and boilers, which will j require about eight or ten days. The Peninsula's boiler also requires extensive repairs, including a new fire box, which he recommended should be undertaken at the same timejj The repairs will necessitate the boiler being removed from the boat, will occupy a month, and probably cost L2OO. Mr Stephens again pressed the absolute necessity of having Rattray street in the vicinity of the wharf improved, as its present communication militates against the working of the wharf. The Port Chalmers lightermen again petitioned in the matter of the Board's rates, stating that owing to the policy being pursued on the Port Chalmers and Dunedin Railway in carrying timber and heavy gosds at rates nearly one-half the rate of ordinary goods, notwithstanding the great want of trucks for up-country traffic, the lighter trade has been nearly put a stop to. - The petition was referred to the Finance Commit te for report. The Finance Committee's report, as follows, was adopted :" Your Committee have deferred reporting on the ballajt lightermen's petition in re berthing rates remitted to it by the Board, understanding that another petition of somewhat similar purport was to be presented to the Board at its present meeting. Your committee desire to draw the attention of the Board to the fact that there is now a considerable charge against the revenue of the Board for interest on money borrowed on the security of its endowments and rates, but that, owing to the delays in completing the Board's title to the endowments, your committee are as yet unable to recommend any scheme of supplementing current revenue from that source. The necessity of paying heed to this branch of the Board's business is apparent, as, unless some revenue is derived from tho source referred to, viz., the endowments, the charges on the shipping of the port and on merchandise will require to be increased instead of being decreased, as is desirable. Your Committee would recommend that immediate application be made to the General Government for the issue of a Crown grant for that portion of land included in the plans of harbor improvement approved by the Governor-in-Council, and to which the Board is entitled under clause 5 of the Otago Harbor Board Empowering Act, 1875. Your Committee would also recommend that application be m-ido to the General Government with a view to arriving at some definite undo standing as to what is required for railway purposes out of the Board's endowment, so that a revenue may be derived from such portions of the endowment as can be profitably leased."