LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1550, 6 February 1879, Page 3

LYTTELTON HARBOR BOARD.

Wednesday, Febedaey 5.

A special meeting of the Harbor Board was held at eleven o’clock. Present—The Hon. E. Richardson (chairman), and Messrs Cunningham, Sawtell, D. Craig, MurrayAynsley, and C. W. Turner. The Chairman stated that the special object of the meeting was to pass accounts to the amount of £4OBB.

On the motion of Mr Murray-Aynsley, seconded by Mr Craig, the accounts wore ordered to be paid. The Chairman said there was one other matter he wished to mention before they separated, and to which his attention had the other day been drawn by the harbor master. Between the latter gentleman and the captain of the tug, he considered they did not do so much business with their tug as might be done. On speaking to the master of the tug on the subject, he said he wished to have definite instructions, He (the speaker) told him it was his duty to do all be could to let masters of vessels know the vessel was available for towing, and to submit the terms to them. He would do so in future. He thought already what bad taken place had been attended with good results

Mr Turner asked if instructions had been given to him to go to sea and look after Teas eh, like any other tug master. The Chairman replied that he had such instructions. Now, last week a vessel was signalled, and he did not go out. He would, however, do so in future. Mr Murray-Aynsley observed that if he went out to seek a vessel, he must have full power to make his arrangements with him as to pay. Mr Turner asked the chairman if he could give the meeting any information about the cranes, and also about increased facilities in the matter of railway trucks. The Chairman said] he was told that one had arrived, and that the other had been impounded by the Moeraki Harbor Board. With regard to the trucks, he had been informed that a considerable number had lately been completed. There were 400 more ready all but the ironwork, a considerable portion of which had arrived, while the remainder was shortly expected. On the arrival of this they would be turned out at the rate of thirty per week. Mr Turner asked about the progress of the contract works at the port. A portion of the engineer’s report was read, detailing what was being done in relation to the Gladstone pier. Mr Turner asked if the chairman was aware that the Government was preparing to put the rails down Langdown pier. The Chairman said several letters had passed on the subject. It was stated that the engineer would commence at the Screw Pile jetty, and that he had said he would make the connection as soon as the Board was ready. The Chairman said with regard to the reclamation works and the docks, plans had been forwarded to Wellington. Correspondence also took place with regard to the election of the Board. A letter had been forwarded to the Government on the subject on the 2nd of January. With regard to the docks, they were having tracings made as fast as possible. The Government wished all the details of the plan to be forwarded, but he (the chairman) read the Act differently and bo did Mr Hall. As, however, the Government wished the detailed plans it would be bettor to send them. After the election of the now Board on Monday he would call them together. He very much questioned if the new Board could meet until certain elections had been validated. He might point out that the Act of 1878 did away with the existing Boards. He had consulted certain people, and had called the Government’s attention to the matter. The secretary had written to the Under-Secretary of the Marine Department on the 6th of January, stating the whole of the facts. The Government had replied to the effect that it was not a matter which they could interfere with ; it must be left to the Board itself and their legal adviser. However, subsequent correspondence had taken place, and Sir George Grey had said that the matter should be rectified as desired by the Board. He (the chairman) took it that immediately the elections were over they would have to send up the full particulars of the irregularities, and no doubt an Order in Council would be passed on the subject. The Board would then be called together. With regard to new offices, they had offers from the following : The South British, the Union Shipping Company, Messrs Lewis and Gould, aud Messrs Harman and Stevens. That was a matter, however, that ought to be left to the next meeting.

Some discussion then took place on the subject of the plan of the docks, which it was necessary the chairman should sign before it was forwarded to Wellington. The Chairman said ho would only do so by the authority of the Board, who, he suggested, had bettor see the plans before they were passed. They were now in active preparation.

The meeting then adjourned until half-past 12 o’clock on Saturday