LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1251, 11 March 1878, Page 3

LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

A meeting of this Board was held at their offices, Lyttelton, on Friday, at 11 a.m. Present—Hon. E. Richardson (chairman), Messrs C. W. Turner, H. Sawfcell, H. P. MurrayAynsley, H. Allwright, Excuses were read regretting inability to attend, from the absent members. chairman’s statement. The Chairman made the following statement: —1 have to report that the following sums have been paid into the Board’s credit since the last meeting —Wharfage for week ending 16th Feb., ,£239 15s 5d ; warps, AlO ; pilotage, port charges, &c., for Feh., 1878, £448 3s 5d ; total, ,£697 18s lOd. A payment under contract of i £l9O has been made to Messrs Grubb and Co., I for slipping tbe dredge and barges. Further correspondence, which will be read, lias taken place between the Harbor Board Debenture Committee and the National Bank of New Zealand, and it wall be seen from it that the matter has nearly reached a final settlement—one question only remaining at issue. The debentures will be ready for transmission to England nitt Suez, on , Monday next. The question of insuring them wdl be brought before you to-day; also, whether the minimum price fixed for the sale ot the debentures should lie disclosed or not. The committee has also arranged with the National Bank of New Zealand for the establishment of a credit of £IIO,OOO in London to meet the cost of the steam tug ordered by the Harbor Board. Authority to p\v tho Bank comm-ssion on this credit should be given to-day. The New Zealand Shipping Company, acting upon instructions from me, telegraphed on the Ist inst. to their London manager respecting the steam tug, and a reply was rece.vod on the 4tli inst., stating that Lairds, of Birkenhead, were the builders at a cost of £I9OOO, and that the tug was to be delivered at home hi duly next It is necessary that the Board should come to an early decision as to how the tug shall ’ c sent out. A letter has been received from Mr Bell, intimating his acceptance of tho office of engineer to the Board, and stating that be will be prepared to enter upon the duties in about a week’s time, lu the meantime the Board’s solicitor will be instructed to prepare the necessary warrant of appointment, and tho Bmrd should pass a resolution to-day directing the affixing of their seal to it. In December last the two steam cranes on Peacock’s Wharf wore placed under offer to the railway department f r the sum paid for them by the Board. A reply has now been received a 'eeptiug the offer, and a voucher has been forwarded J'or payment of tho amount, namely £17.',0. An account for the 40l» yards of hose ordered from England under the authority of a resolution passed on the 4th October last, will be laid before you to-day for payment. A report from the Haj’boj. Master will be read relative to the necessity of re-painting the whole of the lamps and Lamp posts on the wharves; also repeating his former recommendation with regard to removing the bridge connecting the Naval Point Breakwater, so as to enable small craft to leave by that outlet. The dredge resumed work between the lighter and intermediate jetties on Monday last. ACCOUNTS. Items amounting to 41139 4s 3d were passed for payment A report from Captain MoLellan, harbor master, was read rr painting lamps, and recommending t'h >t the bridge on the western breakwater be removed to allow of small vessels using the passage as a means of entrance and exit. The Chairman said that steps would he taken to ascertain cost of removing bridge in question.

In committee, the Hoard considered certain correspondence with the National Bank regarding the issue of the debentures, and it was resolv'd on the motion of Mr C. W. Turner, seconded by Mr Murray-Aynsley—“That the Debenture Committee be requested to reconsider the whole question of the preparation of debentures with a special reference to safety in transmission for their issue in London.” Carried

Moved by Mr APwriglit, seconded by Mr Sawtell —“That authority be given to tho chairman to pay tho commission chargeable by the National Bank of New Zealand for establishing a credit of £IO.OOO to meet tho cost of the steam tug order dby the Board.” (Carried.) Mr Sawtell moved and Mr Turner seconded — “ That the Board order the affixing of their seal to the warrant of appointment of Mr G. Napier Bell as engineer to tho Lyttelton Harbor Board ”

Mr Turner gave notice of motion, pro forma, for next meeting in the absence of Mr Wright—- “ That a committee be appointed to consider the possibility of reducing the wharfage and port landing and warehousing charges.” The Hoard then adjourned to Friday, March 22nd. at 2 p.m., at their offices, Christchurch.