LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 869, 7 April 1877, Page 3

LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

A meeting of this Board was held at their offices, Government Buildings, Lyttelton, at 3 p.m., yesterday. Present —Hon. E. Richardson (Chairman), Messrs E. G. Wright, J. Anderson, 11. P.Murray-Aynsley, Harman, P. Cunningham, I). Craig, Hon. John Hall. Mr E. G. Wright complained of a resolution passed at last meeting, having been omitted in both the papers at the request of the chairman. The Chairman explained the matter was a misunderstanding. He had asked the reporters not to publish some remarks ho had made in reference to the resolution in question, but had never wished or asked that the resolution J'aould be suppressed. The remarks he had wished not to be published were of a private nature. He was always anxious to make all they did as public as possible. The Chairman stated what action he had taken in reference to the meeting with the Minister for Public Works. He had, as requested, written to the Commissioner of Customs and Minister for Public Works, but no reply had yet been received. He had written to the Board of Education, in reference to the land at the pilot station, but as yet no reply had been received, and to the Lyttelton Borough Council, asking that the Time Ball Tower site might bo vested in the Board. A reply to this would be read that afternoon. A complete stock-list had been prepared, with the exception of that at the pilot station. A clerk had charge of the stores in the Government yard at present, and he had resolved temporarily to re-appoint him as it was necessary some person should be in charge. A further report on the soundings was laid on the table. He had found that they required funds for payment of officials, and had made an application to the Government and had received a telegram stating £I2OO had been passed to their credit for present requirements. He had seen Mr Ormond, and had a further conversation on the question at issue, and understood from him tnat the Board would be treated as if the wharves were really vested in them till some remedy could be found. The sub-committee appointed to decide on the manner in which the book of the Board should be kept, brought up their report, which was adopted. A letter was read from the Lyttelton Borough Council, stating that they had no objection to convey the Time Ball Tower site to the Harbor Board on the same conditions they had agreed to with the Government, which was the formation of a recreation ground for Lyttelton on the site in question. The Chairman said Mr Rolleston had informed him it was his intention to write the Board on the subject when the matter was further advanced. £IOO was, he understood, still available for the fencing, and the prison labor would also be given, Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley said the maintenance of the gardens would be a great expense, and that the Board should be careful not to incur the liability. Dr. Rouse explained that Ihe maintenance of the gardens would probably be undertaken by I lie Borough. Accounts amounting to £466 Os lid were passed for payment.

Mr Craig pointed out that as the Board only met once a fortnight, some arrangement should be made by which the salaries of those in the employ of the Board should be paid regularly on the first of each month. He begged to move—-“ That cheques for the monthly salaries and wages due to the Harbor Hoard staff, and persons employed on the dredge and barges, be signed on the certificate of the secretary that the same arc correct ; but that all other accounts shall be passed by the Board before cheques are signed, it being understood that no alteration be made in the present salaries or wages without the authority of the Board.” Seconded by Mr Aynsley, and carried. The Hon. John Hall said that it did not follow because tire employes of the Board received certain salaries under former management that they should do so now. He did not wish to suggest any alteration ; he simply t hought the formal approval of the Board should be given. It was agreed that the question should bo considered next meeting. Mr Cunningham said that he had thought, it advisable some record of their interview with Mr Ormond should be kept. He had therefore prepared the following resolution : “As the intention of the Lyttelton Harbor Works Loan Act, 1872, and the Lyttelton Harbor Board Act, 1876, was to vest in the Board all jetties, breakwaters, breastworks, &c., and as the boundaries have already been pointed out to the Board by the engineer appointed for that purpose, that the Government be requested to recommend his Excellency the Governor to reserve all these breakwaters, jetties, and breastworks, as also all land lying below high water mark within the harbor of Lyttelton, not already vested in the Board, for the use of the Lyttelton Harbor Board; and at first meeting of the Assembly to obtain authority to convey by Crown grant such lands to the Board, reserving the right to the Government to lay down and maintain railway lincs'upon such breakwaters and wharves, with every facility for working same.” Seconded by Mr E. G. Wright and carried. Mr Harman said there was another matter with reference to the interview with Mr Ormond. The shed on the Gladstone Pier would probably contain on certain occasions at least 6000 tons, and it was intended to extend it, and, of course, the carriage of such goods necessitated heavy traffic; this great weight woidd tend to increase any tendency to the settlement in the breakwater. He thought, therefore, those in whom the shed was vested should have the maintenance of the Breakwater, and begged to move the following resolution—" That if the shed on the Gladstone Breakwater and the revenue derived from it be taken by the Government, the Lyttelton Harbor Board is of opinion that it cannot equitably bo charged with the maintenance of that portion of the Breakwater occupied by the railway and the shed, and t hat the cost of such maintenance should be mainly defrayed by the Government.” Mr Cunningham agreed with Mr Harman, and had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. Those who had the maintenance of the breakwater should surely have the control of the weight put upon it. The resolution was carried. A letter from Mr Phillips, chief gaoler, re procuring cordage for prisoners to pick into oakum, was read. The matter was ordered to stand over. Mr Cunningham moved the resolution standing in his name, “ That wharfage rates be reduced 25 per cent.” In moving the reduction of wharfage proposed by notice of motion, it will bo necessary for me to shew figures that such can be done without so far reducing the revenue as to cause inconvenience in properly carrying out the work of the port. The Board’s present estimated income is £21,000, and expenditure £17,000. I propose to submit the following figures; — Estimated receipts —Wharfage, £12,000 ; pilotage, £2600; port charges, £I3OO ; harbor master’s fees, £400: pilotage exemption license and wharves, £200; total, £16,500. Expenditure —Harbor staff, £2900 ; collecting wharfage, £240 ; maintenance of breakwater — eastern £IOOO, western £500; maintenance of wharves, £IOOO ; maintenance of dredges and barges, £7500; office expenses and incidental, £IOOO : tug service, £IOOO ; balance for incidental expenses, £1360; total, £16,500. I have carefully estimated receipts from figures of past years, and have no doubt, but our revenue will exceed amount slated. There can be a reduction in harbor staff. Members will agree that one harbor master is sufficient, and I therefore recommend pier master’s salary of £3OO be discontinued. The harbor pilot can act as pier master when not on duty. The charge for night watchmen can bo fairly charged to railway department, as they arc principally employed watching railway property. The repairs of boats should not exceed £IOO per annum. Collection of wharfage is agreed for at 2i per cent, and"will be about £240. For the maintenance of breakwaters. I have allowed £ISOO, and am assured the provision is arxplc, unless some unusual circumstance takes place, which, being an extraordinary work, could be met by a loan, as I think no large work should bo paid out of revenue; in fact, I am not sure that dredging should be charged out of revenue. Office expense I think ample provision has been made for. For tug service, we shall be called on for a small expenditure until our trade increases, but I should expect for the subsidy we give that the contractors find a tug of at least 90 h.p. Mr Harman seconded the motion, but suggested the debate should bo deferred. Mr Aynsley spoke in favor of the resolution, but thought it had better be delayed, and moved as an amendment—“ That the further discussion of the matter should be postponed until after the receipt of the promised letter from the Minister of Public Works.” Tliis was seconded by Mr Craig and carried. Mr Aynsley moved —“ That the Chairman and Dr. Rouse be authorised to sign a cheque for the transfer of the amount forwarded by the Government through the Bank of New Zealand to the Board’s account at the National Bank.” Agreed to. Mr Wright moved —“That the present storekeeper be retained until the next meeting of the Board.” Carried. Mr Cunninghr n asked if the Board had power to license porters on the wharves ? The matter was deferred fo the present. Dr Rouse said it was stated that Government intended to hand over the water supply on the wharves to the Harbor Board. He hoped this would not be done, as he had always understood it should be placed in the Borough Council’s charge. He asked tin chairman if he had heard anything on the subject. The Chairman said he believed the question was under discussion, and gave a short explanation in the matter. Tiro Board then adjourned,