HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 91, 26 April 1901, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Gisborne Harbor. Board was held yesterday afternoon, when there were present:—His Worship the Mayor (inTie chair), Messrs Mattliew’son, Sievw ' ;.it, Macfarlane, Whinray, and Capta" : Tucker. CORRE.' iXDENCE. Mr A. Dewing, manager of Messrs Nelson Bros.’ fro.-zing works, v’rote stating that there were ‘places along the bank of the Taruheru river where owners had allowed trees that had been cut down to fall into the river, and so cause trouble by breaking propellers of steam boats. He asked the Board to give notice to owners on the river banks that they must not let trees fall into the river. Tho Chairmau said that similar complaints had been made some tune back. There w’ere not-many residents on tho banks of the river.—lt was decided to give ratepayers residing on the river banks notice to remove all such trees.

Mr E. J. Chrisp wrote in reference to to the Freezing Company’s lease. Ho found from the lease that the Board must give the lessees written notice if they desired to have the rental altered. Tho notice had to be given.not later than the Ist of June, but could bo given at once. If the notice were given tho question of rent would then bo submitted to arbitration, and under the provisions of the “ Arbitration Act, 1890 ” the arbitrators could decrease or increase, or refuse to alter tho annual rental. Of course it was open to the lessees if they were dissatisfied with the present rent to give the Board notice, in which case the matter w’ould still be open to arbitration. If either side gave no notice the rent remained as at present for another three years.—Referred to the Finance Committee. harbormaster’s report. The following report was received from the Harbormaster, Captain Thomson : —I havo the honor to report to you that during the last month and up to date the channel from the end of the breakwater up to the end of the new wharf is very good, which wall bo seen by soundings taken yesterday at high-water. Although tho channol at the top end of the new’ w’harf is very narrow, close in tho water is good, and shows 10ft. Shipping up to date : Sailing vessels—arrivals 2, departures 6 ; steamers—arrivals 20, departures 20. Soundings taken at high-water April 24th, 1901 : 300 ft out from end of breakwater, 23ft 6in ; 200 ft from end breakwater, 22ft 6in ; end of breakwater, 23ft; 200 ft up from end of breakwater and 30ft off, 13ft 6in ; 400 ft up from end of breakwater and 30ft off, 12ft; large crane, one small patch lift Gin, other parts 12ft ; abreast of mouth of Waikanac, 12ft; stockyard, 40ft off, lift 9in ; half up old wharf, 30ft off, lift ; low’er or south end of new wharf, 30ft off, lift ; half up now wharf, 30ft off, 10ft; top end of now wharf, 20ft off, 9ft Sin ; top end of new w’liarf, close in, 10ft. TUB NEW DREDGE." There w r as no report from the Engineer, Mr King, who was away in Christchurch inspecting the new dredge, a progress payment for which was due on Monday next, when plating would be completed.

Tho Chairman said that several telegrams had been received from ‘Mr King. Upon his arrival in Christchurch, Mr King had wired stating that he had inspected the works, and met Mr Anderson to discuss conditions, with a view to further progress. A later telegram stated that the work was progressing slowly, and the Engineer had refused a certificate till better progress w r as made and assurance of completion given. On April 19th Milling wired ; “Payment wanted Monday ; progress better; plating not completed. Anderson will not fix time of completion.” Tho last telegram from Mr King was to the effect that Mr Anderson promised to have the boat in the water in two months, and that the third payment was required. Mr King further stated that better progress w-as being made with the work, and would, he believed, bo maintained. He recommended that tho third payment should be made. In answer to the last message tho Board had wired as follows : “As you recommend third payment, will meet draft on presentation.” Under tho specifications of contract the

third payment was due when the plating was completed, and the engines, boilers, and machinery well advanced towards completion, the fifth when the vessel was launched and the engines, boilers, cranes, and all other machinery completed, and the final payment within fourteen days after the vessel was handed over in the Gisborne harbor to the Gisborne Harbor Board. A telegram received this week from Mr King stated that Mr Anderson wanted £2OO extra for a fire pump. The Chairman said that Mr King had been told not to arrange for any extras until he reported to the Board. This'matter was referred to the Finance Committee. QUESTION OF SALARIES. The Board’s Secretary, Mr J. W. Witty, wrote asking for an increase of salary on the following grounds : Ho had been for the last nine years receiving the same salary, although, as the accompanying statement showed, the general receipts, not including rates, etc., had increased from £3,006 in 1892 to £9,091 in 1900, and the number of vessels arriving at this port have increased from 226 in 1892 to 417 in 1900. He scarcely needed to point out the' fact that this had doubled the work. The total receipts, including rates, etc., from all sources, passing through his hands as treasurer last year was £21,120. His present salary was £275. The following statement of general receipts was attached: —lß92 £3,006,1893

£3,675, 1894 £0,669, 1895 £5,481, 1896 £5,652, 1897 £6,395; 1898 £7,876, 1899 £8,017, 1900 £9,091.

Mr Whinray said that ho was not yet conversant with the affairs of the Board, but it had been suggested to him that the Secretary had quito enough work to do in the office. As far as he could see, there appeared to bo a great deal of force in the suggestion. He understood that they were paying for an attendant to the weighbridge, whose time could not bo half occupied. They should pay the weighbridge man better, and let him do other work, so as to relieve the Secretary, and enable the latter to devote his whole time to the office. It seemed to him impossible that Mr Witty could cover the office work, and do the outside work as well. The Board would gain considerably in revenue if a thoroughly trustworthy man were placed in charge of shipping, inside qnd outside. The duties could with advantage be coupled with those of the weighbridge. It was too much for Mr Witty to attend to the wharfinger business and the office work.

The Chairman said that Mr Whinray’s remarks raised the question as to whether the whole quostion of salaries should not be reviewed. Ho suggested that the matter should be referred to a cominittee —* the Board. It was the proper to repoiu '..it™, course to adopt. The ma..v. .. one

that required serious consideration. Mr Sievwright agreed with the Chairman that the matter required to be looked into very carefully. He approved of the suggestion that the question of salaries should be referred to a committee to report. It was decided that the Finance Committee should report upon the whole question of salaries and the clerical work of the Harbor Board, 5 FINANCE. The following statement of the Board’s finances was subniitted :—Ordinary account, credit, £3200; harbor improvement account, debit, £Bl5 7s 7d —credit, £2385 as lOd. Outstanding : Arrears of rates, 1899, £l5O 4s 4d ; do. 1900, £399 16s 3d ; do. 1900, Crown and Native land, £709 12s 5d ; wharfages current, £36 9s sd; contractors’ deposits, £l9 11s 9d ; deposit in Savings Bank, £3OO. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The following report of the Finance Committee was read:—“ Your Committee beg to report as follows : That your Committee, consisting of the Chairman and Members Macfarlane, Sievwright, and Tucker, met at the office on Tuesday, 2nd April, 1901. That with regard to the claim from 'the Indian Troop Reception Cominittee for the sum of £24 5s 4d, the Board were legally authorised to pay same under the 3rd 'clause of the Public Bevenu.es Act, 189-3. As’ to insurance of workmen against accidents or contagious diseases, your Committee recommend that the request of the employees be given effect to. As to the repayment by the

Borough Council of a portion of the loan of £IO,OOO and a renewal of tho balanco as arranged with the agent of the Public Trustee, your Committee recommend that same be carried out. As to the proposal of Captain Tucker that his present mortgage to the Board should bo renewed for five years at 4.1- per cent., with liberty to pay off on giving six mouths’ notice, your Committee recommond that this offer bo accepted. As to tho bonus for statistical returns, Mr Witty not desiring that tho question of remuneration bo considered in au application ho intonds making for increased salary, your Committee recommends the subject to tho consideration of tho Board. As to wharf extension to bridge, your Committee having gone carefully into tho present financial position of the Board, recommend that tho work should be done.” PLURAL VOTING. Captain Tucker moved : “ That in the opinion of this Board it is very unfair that Harbor Board ratepayers within tho borough who are rated at double tho county rate should not be permitted to vote as provided by tho 20th section of tho Gisborne Harbor Board Act, 18S4, and that this Board would respectfully represent to the Government that tho intention of that Act should bo carried out in its entirety.” Mr Sievwright wished tho Chairman to state whether the question was one which should be discussed by tho Board. The Chairman: You can discuss anything you like at tho Board, that is, if you can get any benefit out of it. Plural voting is now entirely dispensed with, with the exception of the county election. I anticipate that the amended Reform Bill for tho county will soon bo brought down, so that there shall be only one vote. We cannot ask the House to give us plural voting again. Mr Sievwright: I cannot see that you havo answered the question. Personally, I should bo glad if local bodies turned into local parliaments for the discussion of all questions. But that is not tho ease with us. Wo are simply a local body carrying out definite powe.is undor the Act. In this question which Captain Tucker seeks to bring up wc havo no part. If you allow it to bo discussed upon this occasion, you will have to do so again. Tho Chairman : This Act docs not provide for it.

Mr Sievwright : I wish you to vote one way or the other. The Chairman : I can see no benefit in

Mr Sievwright : That is not the ques tiori at all. Are we, or arc we not to dis cuss the matter ?

Captain Tucker : Before you decide, I should like you to hoar tho reasons why I wish it discussed.

Tho Chairman : Tho motion speaks for itself.

Mr Whinray : If there is anything anomalous we havo a right to discuss tho matter.

The Chairman: Ido not seo any benefit in discussing it. I do not think that the legislature would pass a special Act to vote according to tho property holdings in this district.

Captain Tucker : But you do in this district, because the Counties Reform Act has not been passed. Is it fair that members sitting on one side of tho table should be elected by plural voting, whilst others on tho other side of tho table arc elected by those exercising a single vote ’? Tho same system of plural voting should obtain in tho town as in the country. Tho Chairmau : If called upon to rule, I certainly shall rule that the subject is not worthy of discussion. Capt. Tucker : You have the fact that you have contrary franchises for members sitting here. Surely there is something to discuss. The Chairman : The Harbor Act has no provision to make a burgess roll. There is another reason why the matter is

not urgent. We have just had an election, and there will not be another for two years. By that time you will see tho result of tho County Reform Act. Tho Board then adjourned.