THE HARBOR BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 4234, 21 September 1876, Page 3

THE HARBOR BOARD.

At the ordinary meeting of this body there were present-Messrs Reeves (in the chair), Davie, Tewsley, M'Neil, and Ritchie. On the minutes being read, Mr M'Neil drew attention to the resolution authorising Mr Simpson to proceed to Wellington, and asked what instructions had been given to the latter. He would have supposed that a set of queries for Mr Blackett s guidance, expressing the points on which the Board desired information, would have been drawn up by the Board or a Bub-committee. He approved of sending the Engineer to Wellington, which would likely result in the settlement of the whole thing; but for himself he desired to receive specific information on that part of the Engineer's scheme the depositing of the dredged material—which was but an experiment, but would absorb L 40.000 before one bncketful was dredged. He thought there must have been something hasty in despatching Mr Simpson. Mr Ritchie had not thought such haste would have been shown in despatching Mr ftimpeon. At the last meeting ha was in a minority, and so strong was the feeling that he believed there was little prospect of impressi:'g his views on the Board, or he would then have made the suggestion now made by MrM'N«it The good taste of the Engineer

j might bare dictated to him that if a oonJ elusive opinion on bis plans was to be ob- • t&ned be should have the Board's views on i he matter.

Mr Davie considered there was yet time to put the Board's views before Mr Blackect by means of queries drawn up by a small committee, or Mr Blackett might be invited to come down here. Mr M'Neil assured the Board that there was nothing behind, and that he was not opposing what was done at last meeting. The Crairhak remarked that, if the Engineer carried out his mission faithfully, he would place his whole plans and views before Mr Blackett. Mr Ritchie also wanted his own views laid before Mr Blackett. Before he sanctioned a large expenditure on what was admittedly an experiment, he would like to satisfy himself on the point. Further discussion was adjourned till Mr Simpson's letter was read. Mr Under-Se'cretary Willis wrote in reply to the Board's letter of the 18th inst., that the Government had obtained a measurement of the reclaimed land by Mr Blair, C.E., who estimated the total filling up at 29,170 cubic yards more than that agreed on by Messrs Arthur and Simpson, and as this makes a difference of L 364 6s more than is proposed to be paid by the Harbor Board, the Government aecline to accept a settlement on the basis of a depth of Bft.—The letter was referred to the Engineer for report.

The Town Clerk wrote intimating that instructions had been given to erect as soon as possible the necessary posts and lamps for lighting Rattray street wharf. Mr Guthrie requested an answer to the lightermen's memorial of July 27, and pointed out that as the busy season would commence very soon, theie being nine ships now due, the total want of shed accommodation, coupled with the disadvantages tbe lightermen labor under as regards dues, would, unless some concessions are granted by the Board, completely paralyse their trade.

Mr John Darling, writing from Glasgow under date July 27, forwarded some interesting information in reference to Duckham's patent dredge, for discharging spoil over a wall or at some distance from the dredge. He also advised that the locomotive intended to be used in cojnection with the reclamation works here had been christened the " Reclaimer."

The following is the concluding paragraph of a letter written by the Board s Engineer on the 14th inst. :

Eelative to what transpired at the late meeting, when the subject of my two letters, of dateß July 29 and August 16, was under consideration, I note iu the Press reports of the proceedings that the Board has decided that the expressions taken exception to by me were not intended as reflections upon my professional conduct or ability. Iu consequence thereof, I would request the withdrawal of my two letters of the dates above mentioned.

On a motion being made to allow the Engineer to withdraw the letters referred to, Mr said that that certainly was not the resolution carried at last meeting. Mr Ritchie : It is not enough for me. However, we may let hiin'take his own way of withdrawing the letters, though I think he might have done it in a more graceful way. You cannot make every person see a thing in its proper light. I will move "That the Chairman communicate to the Colonial Secretary the desire of the Board that if possible Mr Blackett be directed to visit Dunedin in order that he may inspect the site of the harbor works, and that the Board may have a personal interview with him in reference to the proposed plan of harbor improvement." Mr TjrwsLEY, in seconding the resolution, endorsed the remarks of Messrs M'Neil and Ritchie. One of the main reasons for getting Mr Gordon over was that he might report on the proposed plan of getting rid of the dredged stuff, but through the Board's mismanagement of bringing him down, no specific instructions were given him on that very point. It should be a lesson not to make a similar mistake.

The resolution was agreed to, and en Mr Davie's suggestion it was decided to telegraph it to the Colonial Secretary and to Mr Simpson.