THE HARBOR BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 4265, 27 October 1876, Page 3

THE HARBOR BOARD.

There was a special meeting of the Board this aftermoon, at which were present his Honor the Superintendent, Messrs Beeves (in the chair), M’Kinnon, M'Neil, and Eitchle. engineer to the dredge. Mr Scott, who had been appointed engineer to the dredge New Era by the Board’s Inspector, asked the Board to reconsider its decision of last week appointing aMr Low to the post. He intimated that he was now in a position to produce additional certificates from competent authorities, which had he produced on the previous occasion would, he thought, have influenced the Board in his favor. In the conversational discussion that fel lowed, the following circumstances were mentioned: —Scott, on being appointed, resigned his situation ns engineer of the o.s. Samson, and ever since had been performing the duties of engineer of the dredge. He did not produce addi. tional certificates at the last meeting, because be Nad been told by the Inspector that there was no necessity for doing so.—Mr M’Neil wished the Inspector to be called in, but the manot the members present were averse at being done. It was also stated that on a previous occasion the Inspector had, without complaint by the Board, appointed the master and crew of the dredge, but Mr M‘Kinhon contended that these were not appointments, but transfers to a higher grade in the Board’s service. The Supekinaemdent moved the following .. “Having reconsidered the question of the appriutment of Engineer to the New Era, the Board is of opinion that sufficient has been done to warn the officers of the Board that in future no suco appointment shall be made without the authority of the Board, end that under all the circumstances of the case, and seeing that Mr Scott, the engineer now in charge, is in every way qualified for the situation, his appointment be confirmed.” But as his Honor had to leave, and the Chairman was of opinion that the last resolution must be first rescinded, further discussion was adjourned to the next meeting. WHABP EXTENSION, The Engineer wrote in reference to theproposed wharf extension and new cross wharf:—"The tfmbei i the Board has on hand was purchased partly fox the additional width to the cross wharf and portly for purposes of general repairs to wharves beacons, &c. The sawn timber will not profitably work into the lengths required for the extension, and there is only in reserve one-sixth of the nnmbei of piles required for the new structure. Under these circumstances, I would suggest that the wort either be wholly undertaken by day labor or by con tract, as the Board may decide." A SUDDEN MOVE. Immediately on the above letter being read Messrs M'Neil and Biichie made some remark which did not reach the ears of the reporters, am retired very abruptly, notwithstanding the Secre tary’s intimation that it was necessary to keep i quorum, as the tenders for metalling Battray stree near the sheds had to be opened, Mr M'Kinnon : I feel myself in a gloriou minority. The Seceetart : 1 think, Mr Chairman, yon ha< better take charge of the keys of the tender box; do not want t hem. The Chaiem*n : I confess it is a strange proceed log. I think it is time for us to vacate. The meeting then closed. The Board’s new Bill provides for the election o a now boards of ten members, who take office 01 January 1, the elections being held in Decemhe next. The Board holds office for two years. Th Governor appoin a two members, the City Counci two; the Port Chalmers municipality, one; th municipalities of South Dunedin and St. Kilde one; the Chamber of Commerce, one ; the payers c harbor dues, one; the owners of vessels in this porl one; the Collector of Customs being the tent! * The City and other municipal representatives mns he chosen outside of these bodies. The Legislativ Council struck out from the B ll the clause inserte in the tower’House repealing the differeutii duties, and added a douse to the effect that u -member of the Board shall receive remnneratio other than travelling expenses. -