MOTUEKA WHARF BOARD.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 54, 18 February 1902, Page 5

MOTUEKA WHARF BOARD.

A-iHeJefing of-the above Bad was lltrfd< aH the wharf buildings on Monday Hfternooii. Present-: - Messrs £lur<stliouse (ylia a ifian)y Bate and* Beuke. Minu‘ esmf? previous meeting were read and confirmed i ; Mi- Bate thanked the members for adjourning the meeting to allow hjm to wiUn-ess the departure of the Eighth Contingent of which his son is a member, frofla Lyttelton.

The Chairman mentioned that lie had received a statement of accounts from the Nelson* Harbor Board, which showed their credit balance to be *£395 12s 8d less commission and charges. jMLr Hursthouse said jno provision had Psddently been made for re-paying the instalments of loan. The amount had been received *by the local branch of the Bank of New Zealand and placed to a suspense account, pending instructions.

The Chairman was authorised to open an account, to be called “ The Motueka Wharf Board Account ’’ and lodge the money to their credit ; and to sign cheques, one othei member- to countersign. Accounts amounting to £37 6s 6d were passed for payment.

In reference to the salary of the Wharfinger, Mr Hursthouse referred to the duties Mr Moflatt had to perform. It seemed to him that he was underpaid, and at a meeting of the Nelson Board he had given notice in favor of an increase, but he did not have an opportunity of carrying out his intentions. It was a fair and reasonable thing to raise the salary or give a gratuity. They were bohnd to have a man whom they could timst arid they must pay him accordingly. Mr MofFatt had been a good and .faithful servant, who had always done his duty. Of emi-.se it was impossible for* a man t > please everyone, especially during the busy season. He thought they ought to increase the pay t » £l2 a month from the beginning of the vear. The regulations they had been working under did not admit the etnpl vu.eot of labor, and the wharfinger ought not to have to do the laboring. The question of finding extra labor for working the wharf would necessitate an increase o" wharfage. Messrs Beuke and Bate agreed that. Mr MofFatt was insufficiently paid, the latter remarking that assist;nee was needed on the wharf; the trade had greatly increased, and they would need another man by and by.

On tho motion of Mr Beuke. seconded by Mr Bate it was resolved that the wlmt-fiimer’s salar y be j£l2 per month from the Ist January 1 902. A letter was received from Mr A. A. Howes, applying for a lease of a part of the foreshore for a boatshed near the Moutere entrance, at a rent t > be agreed upon. It was resolved to leave the matter in the hands, of the Chairman to deal with. The Chairman referred to the necessity of having regulations for the guidance of the Wharfinger. The Board §ld have to furnish such regulations hev wished, which would he aped of by the Governor in C uncil. MofFatt had kindly drafted a number, which Mr Hursthouse proceeded to road. Several minor alterations were made and it was decided, on the nint’on of Mr Beuke, seconded by Mr Bate, That the regulations as read be forwarded hy the chairman to the Min'ster of Marine for approval. The chairman agreed to act. as Secretary to the Wharf Bo ltd. A dlxft agreement, between the as to safin y,

duties etc , was lead and approved of. .riftc- fixing the next meeting of the Board f a- hue 10th March, the meeting adjourned.