HARBOR BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1005, 25 September 1903, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Board was hold yesterday, there being present : Messrs Townley (Chairman), Hepburn, Matthowson, Sievwright, Whinray, Harding, and Captain Tucker.

LOAN FUND,

Tho Public Trustee wrote, stating that he had submitted the Boards application for a reduction of charges, but a reduction of any kind had been refused. Members considered the charges most excessive, and that the subject must bo followed up. Captain lucker thought the charge should not bo more than one or two per cent., the rate they would pay for ordinary small debt collecting. Here they wore dealing with thousands, for which there was simply handing in and receiving the chorjhe. , Mr Sievwright suggested that tho Board claim that they should be charged under heading G, which provided for a charge of two per cent. Tho proposal was agreed to, the Chairman and Captain 1 ucker to draft a iottor. „ INSURANCE.

Correspondence was road in regard to tho insurance polieios on tho freezing works property. After consultation tho policies had beon adjusted in compliance with the terms of the now lease. DREDGE EMPLOYEES.

The two dock hands on the dredge John Townloy applied for an increase of wages from £lO per month, stating that they were now doing the work of throe men

The Chairman said that after the alterations to the dredgo they had thought thoy could do with less hands. Mr Hepburn said on the .Napier dredge there was only one deck hand, who was getting £L less per month. The captain himself had told him that. Mr Matthewson said the men were well paid for laboring work ~Bs a day, with regular work, and not hard at that.

In reply to Mr Sievwright, the Chairman said the men were good men, hut did not have any special responsibility. Captain Tucker moved to refer the letter back to the men to make any application through the captain. Mr iSievwright said that would be placing the captain in an invidious position. Mr Matthewson said all shipping companies fixed the wages. The Chairman said that the Board had fixed the rate of pay, and should not put their responsibility on the captain. Mr Hepburn objected to putting the responsibility on the captain. The Board should deal with it.

Captain Tucker said he would move, then, that the Board is of opinion that tho deck hands are sufficiently paid, receiving more than the ordinary rate of pay for such work. Mr Hepburn seconded the motion, which was agreed to. In reply to Mr Whinray, the Chairman said it was too rough for the vessel to work that day, and, in reply to a further question he said that the pay went on j ust the same, the hands being unde? monthly engagement.

LEADING LIGHTS, ETC. The Board’s solicitor reported that the piece of land upon which the beacons wero originally erected was still native land in tho name of four natives, two of whom wore dead. The other atrip was vested in Mr H. d. Tucker and Miss Tucker, from whom a transfer could be obtained at the rate of T2OO an acre. Tho native strip should be taken under tho Public Works Act, and action taken at once.

Be Tuamotu Island, the Board would bo able to close one road and take a new one through Titirangi road district at the Board’s own expense. The solicitor asked for information as to where it was proposed to take the new road and ciose tbo old one, also pointing out that any Tititirangi ratepayers could object, and if their objoction was upheld the cost of the abortive proposal would fall on the Board.

It was agroed to take the strip of land under the Public Works Act.

Captain Tucker said he did not think the Titirangi Boad Board would have any objection to getting the road dealt with, but tho Board must first make up its mind as to which way it should go. Tho question of the best means of access to Tuamotu Island was discussed, Mr Matthewson saying that they could not have a road by the beach above high-water mark..

Captain Tucker: Then if you go the other way you will have to pay for it. It was decided to refer the subject to the Works Committee to inspect the locality. LINDBERG LIGHT.

Information was received from the Bluff Board, reoommending the Lindberg lijjjht. Mr Siovwright raised the point as to what would happen if the light went out. Captain Tucker: Would not that apply to any light ? Mr Siovwright: No, there is always someone to watch them. Still, it would be a bluff light. The Chairman said if the oil would only cost £26 a year, and required attending to only once a week, he thought the Board should offer to the Government to undertake the expense in case of a light at Tuahine Point. Captains complained that thore was no guide where to turn in to the harbor, and he cited the case of a four hour trip from Pakarae. He mentioned

the accident to the Niwaru at Napier ; it would cost £23,000, which might have been avoided with a good light. Mr Sievwright moved that the application bo sent to tho Government.

Mr Matthewson said they should first understand their position with the Government. He warmly approved of the lighting of tho coast line, but thought they should obtain some refund of light duos from the Government. Mr Sievwright: I agree with that, but I

take it this is only temporary. Mr Matthewson said they would find it would remain temporary, aDd deprive

them of the chance of a more permanent light. * Tho Chairman said the light would only flash out eight miles,while an ordinary light would flash out twenty miles. He thought they should make the application, and see what qualifications the Government would

fix. It was stated that the cost of tho lamp would be £IBO. It was agreod to formally apply to the Government. Mr Matthewson said they should also apply for a contribution towards maintenance, as the light would flash on the Ariel reef. THE HARBOR BILL. Tho protest from the Ratepayers’ Association in regard to the Harbor Bill and the lendiug of money to the Borough Council was read, and it was considered tho Association was under a misapprehension, tho borough requiring authority before it could borrow.

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