MOTUEKA WHARF BOARD.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 76, 6 May 1902, Page 3

MOTUEKA WHARF BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Monday afternoon. Present: Messrs Hursthouse (chairman), Beuke and Bate. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Accounts amounting to .£23 12s 5d were passed for payment. Mr Beuke brought up the question of payment of travelling expenses to members of the Board. The Chairman stated that when in Wellington he had an interview with the Auditor (general with reference to the matter, and that gentleman said he could find nothing in any Act of Parliament against the payment of members. The Auditor General thought it would be better to pass a regulation dealing with the question, but he would put no obstacle in the matter of such payments. Mr Beuke thought he was entitled to a payment of 10s for each meeting to pay ordinary expenses and he would hand in his account for-such amount, leaving the Board to deal with it ; at a later s 4 age, Mr Beuke moved That the members receive the following amounts as travelling expenses for each meeting : Mr Beuke 10s and Messrs Hursthouse and Bate 5s each. Mr Beuke stated that he had fixed the amounts in respect of the distance he had to travel. Seconded by Mr Bate and carried. The chairman stated that he had received a letter from the Treasury Department acknowledging the receipt of £3O 12s 6d, being interest on Motueka Wharf Loan, which had been paid into the credit of the public account at the Bank of New Zealand, Motueke. Copies of the Regulations for the Wharf were laid on the table, the chairman stated that he had received a letter from the Marine Department that they would be published in the next Gazette. A discussion took place with reference to the omission of certain regulations and it was agreed That the minister of Marine be written to asking why certain regulations submitted for approval had not been gazetted. The Chairman brought up the question of wharf extension. Theie was not enough room at present especially during the busy season. It was the duty of the Board to be ahead of the times instead of behind, and he suggested extending the wharf, say 30 feet, and erecting sheds: The proper course would be to get plans and estimates of the works required. Mr Beuke said the Wharf Board had never- been approached on the question, and he now saw no necessity to make alterations now the busy season was over. He thought the inhabitants should petition or interview the. Board if they wanted anything done.

Both the Chairman and Mr Bate agreed that the wharf extension should be gone on with and completed before the busy season arrived. Th e chairman -thought they should write to some qualified man, say Mr Roberts or Mr Akersten', in order to find out the cost etc. It was eventually agreed, on the motion of Mr Bate, seconded by Mr Beuke, That the Wharf be extended a distance of 30ft seaward and additional accommodation provided, and that Mr Akersten be invited to draw plans and prepare estimates. The chairman brought up the question of wharfage charged oh sheep, wool and hops, which was considered excessive. After discussion it was agreed not to interfere, at present with the rates charged for wool and hops, but it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Beuke seconded by Mr Bate, That the wharf_ age on sheep be - educed to one penn y per head, with a minimum chai*ge of one shilling. Mr Beuke moved a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman for his past services and regretted they had to part with Mr Hursthouse now the Board was in working order, and that gentle - man had always done all he possibly could to work things economically and to the satisfaction of the Board. Mr Bate seconded the motion. The chairman thanked the members for their appreciation of his services. It was agreed that the next meeting of the Board be held on the first Monday in June. The Board then adjourned.