HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 800, 18 January 1910, Page 3

HARBOUR BOARD.

ANNUAL, MEETING

The annual statutory meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in the Council Chambers, yesterday. Present: —Messrs G. H. Stiles (chairman), P. J. Hennessy, J. A. Nash, and J. G. Wilson. An apology was received from Mr B. R. Gardener. The balance-sheet for the period ended December 31st, 1909, was read and received. This showed the receipts to have been ,£423 is gd, made up as follows : Pilotage, cember 31st, 1909, ,£35 ios ; rent of same to December 31st, 1910, £25 ; rent Marine Department, ,£5 ns 3d; rent flaxmill sites, £7; Levin and Co , £l. The expenditure totalled ,£299 ns id, and was as follows: Harbour master, ; assistance to harbour master, ,£24 3s 2d ; timber, labour, lighting, etc-, £9 6s 4d ; telephone, room, etc., 2 11 4s 9<d ; launch hire, £5 ; accident insurance, £7 10s; returning officer, £3 3s ; legal expenses, ,£34 9s; printing and advertising, £iS gs 6d ; commission, saie of leases, £3 7s 6d ; books, stationery, etc., £3 18s 6d ; bank charges and cheque books, £1 ns 6d ; subscription to Harbour Association, £1 is ; members’ travelling expenses, ,£2O 4s 6d ; secretary’s salary, £l6 13s 4d ; leaving a credit balance at the Bank of ios Bd.

The statement of asset? and liabilities showed assets amounting to los Sd, being : Balance at Bank, ,£123 10s Bd, and valuation of plant, etc., /150 ; Liabilities, nil. ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting was held at the conclusion of the statutory meeting. Correspondence was read from the General Manager of New Zealand Railways in reply to a communication from the Board, urging that the portion of the foreshore at Foxton at present under lease to Messrs McMurray and Co., which was lately vested in the Railway Department by gazette notice, should be handed over to the Board, advising that the land will ultimately be required for the extension of the railway premises, aud after giving the matter every consideration the Minister regrets that he cannot see his way to comply with the Board’s request. It was decided to again write to the Minister requesting that the revenue from the land until required by the Railway Department be handed over to the Board. From F. Wells, Palmerston North, applying for permission to erect two additional rooms to his present cottage at the Beach. — Permission granted.

From the Minister of Railways, advising that the matter of the Board being allowed to purchase the wharf was receiving consideration and the Government’s decision would be forwarded as early as possible. The Secretary reported that the financial year closed with a credit balance of xos Bd. Since then ,£3O 19s had been placed to credit, being rents of reserves aud flaxmill sites. The harbourmaster's salary to December 31st, £ x6 13s qd had been paid, and the amount now standing to credit was £137 16s gd. It was decided on the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by Mr Nash, that the ordinary meetings of the Board be held every two mouths until further notice, and that the Chairman, Messrs Heunessy and Nash be a finance committee,‘ two to form a quorum.

Proposed by Mr Nash seconded by Mr Wilson that Mr Mouusey be instructed to offer the remaining sections at Wharangi for lease by auction. The sale to be held in Palmerston North. — Carried.

Mr Nash brought up the question of the secretary’s salary. He asked what had been done in reference to the appointment of secretary. Some two mouths ago Mr Bock sent in his resignation and then decided to continue the duties until the end of the year. He asked if that was now or next March.

The Chairman said that Mr Bock had practically withdrawn his resignation. Continuing, Mr Nash said he was pleased to hear that Mr Bock had decided to continue as secretary. At the end of this, the Board’s first financial year, there was a credit balance of ,£123 10s Sd and he was of opinion that the time had arrived when the secretary’s salary should be increased. The secretary had done a great amount of work during the past nine months and he moved that the salary be increased trom ,£25 to ,£4O per annum from date and that a bonus of ,£ls be paid to Mr Bock for the past year. The motion was seconded by Mr J. G. Wilson, who also referred to the good work done by Mr Bock and he expressed the hope that he could see his way to continue with the work. The other members present also spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Bock’s work during the Board’s existence. Mr Bock said that he would like tc have a little time to consider. If it were held over until the next meeting he would be in a position to say whether or not his private business would permit of his continuing with work. The motion was carried. Accounts amounting to ,£23 os 6d were passed for payment.