HARBOUR BOARD

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 327, 11 May 1877, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board was held this morning. There were present : Messrs. Sumpter (chairman), Steward, Shrimski, Reid, Menlove, Meek, Headland, and Lemon. MINUTES. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. OUTWARD CORRESPONDENCE. The outward correspondence was read and approved. THE AUDITOR. A letter was read from the auditor* stating that it was impossible for him to come up at present to audit the accounts. THE RAILWAY. A letter was read from the Railway Office, stating it was undesirable to plank the railway bridges on the line to the Breakwater, as it would encourage foot ! traffic on the line. THE LOAN. A letter was read from Mr. Herdman, in reference to the payment of the loan, and asking where the annual drawings should be made. The writer also called attention to the fact that the first halfyear's interest should be sent Home by the first mail. On the motion of Mr. Shrimski, seconded 'ty Mr. Reid, it was resolved, " That the Bank be requested to telegraph to the Bank at Home to deduct the half-year's interest from the capital, in order to save the cost of exchange." STANDING COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The following report from the Standing Committee was read : For/ Signals. Your Committee beg to recommend that steps be taken to provide a fug signal, and the opinion of the Harbour Master and the captains of the Waitaki and Samson be obtained as to the kind of signal best adapted for the port. Appropriation. Mr. Shrimski having at the last meeting of the Board expressed his conviction that certain a> ounts had been provided for in the Colonial Government Estimates, your Committee investigated the matter, and found that provisions have been made for the maintenance of the harbour staff. They beg to draw the Board's attention to the copy of the Estimates now laid on the table, and recommend that the Government be communicated with on the subject.

Assistant Inspector. Your Committee beg to recommend that the Engineer be instructed to take measures to provide an Assistant-Inspector as soon as he thinks it is required. Warps. Your Committee find that the income from warps for the past year amounted to L3OO, and the expenditure on same came to L 313 9s. lid. for materials only. They cannot, therefore, recommend any reduction of the charge for warps ,at present, more particularly as the bye-laws now being revised by Messrs Hislop and Creagh will deal with the matter. Seduction of Dues. Your Committee have this matter under consideration, but as the railway returns in preparation have not been received, they have left the matter over for consideration in connection with the returns. Cement Supply and Rails. In view of a large quantity of cement being required for the completion of the works now being constructed, your Committee recommend that arrangements be made for obtaining a further supply of cement, and also that an order be at once sent to England for rails and fastenings for the new wharves, the Engineer to. be instructed to estimate the quantity required, and arrange for the order. The Committee make this recommendation on the grounds that rails could be got much cheaper obtained direct from the manufacturers. George Sumpter, Chairman. The two first paragraphs were adopted. On paragraph 2, Mr. Steward moved, and Mr. Reid seconded, '' That application be made to the Government for payment to the Board of the sums voted at last session of Parliament for maintenance of Light and Rocket Brigade at Oamaru, at the same time stating that the Board does not apply for the sum voted for Assistant Harbour Master, because the Harbour dues have been handed to the Board, but submits that it is entitled to the sums voted by Pai-lia-liament for the other services mentioned, and from which the Board derives no revenue." The motion was put and carried. On the third paragraph being read, some discussion took place, Mr. Shrimski moving that no sub-inspector should be employed, on the ground that it was not desirable to increase the expenses of the Board. Several members joined in the discussion, during which it was stated that a report was current that the present Secretary and Inspector to the Board was interested in some of the works of the Board. Mr. Forrester, the officer referred to, denied most positively that he had nothing whatever to do with any of the works of the Board. He also said he had been informed that the report had been started by a member of the Board. There was no truth whatever in the report, which was a malicious slander. Eventually, on the motion of Mr. Headland, seconded by Mr. Menlove, the third paragraph was adopted, Mr. Shrimski's amendment not being seconded. The fourth paragraph was adopted. In reference to paragraph 5, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Steward, seconded by Mr. Reid, " That the Engineer be instructed to ascertain whether there is any cement available in the Dunedin market, with power to purchase a temporary supply, not exceeding 100 tons, and that tenders be called for such further supply as may be required, in addition to cargoes now afloat." ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed to the amount of L 566 12s. 2d. FRESH dues. The fact that vessels laying inside the Breakwater, but not alongside the wharf, paid no dues whatever, though they used the wharf in landing their cargoes having been brought under notice, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Steward, seconded by Mr. Menlove, that vessels laying under the shelter of the Breakwater, while discharging or taking in cargo, should pay one half the usual rates. telegraph to the breakwater. The Secretary was directed to report upon the best means, and cost, of establishing telegraphic communication between the Breaker and the railway station. A CASE FOR INQUIRY. Mr. Lemon said : Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —Before this meeting rises, I have a few remarks to make, which, although of a rather unpleasant character, must, of necessity, be of importance to the Board, as the statements I am about to make nearly concern the honesty and integrity of some of its members. I should have brought the matter before you long since, but I considered it of so much importance that it would be better to reserve my remarks until there was a full meeting. I shall not trespass on your time by retailing a number of groundless rumors and the on dits of the outside public, but will confine myself to a simple statement of facts—facts supported by evidence of the most conclusive nature, and which preclude the possibility of refutation. For some time past a report have been circulated to the effect that certain members of the Harbour Board were interested in the contracts for the works now in course of construction. So industriously has the reports been circulated, tnat it has actually been given credence to by many people ; indeed, so fully has the report been believed in, that two of the late employes of Messrs. Walkem and Payman has actually applied to one of the members of the Board for employment on the works. I am in a position to prove that the report I have mentioned emanated from a member of this Board. 1 will not mention any names, but will proceed to another matter perhaps not of so great importance, but which t think it will be well for the Board to know. I will call

the attention of members to a letter which appeared in the Evening Mail of the 28th December last, and signed "Venice Preserved." (The speaker handed the letter to the Secretary, who read it, as requested.) Mr. Lemon then continued : I think members will agree with me when I say that a more scurrilous or untruthful production could not have been penned. Now, I am in a position to prove that that letter was not only written for, and at the instigation of a member of the Board, but a money consideration was actually paid to the writer. I shall not say anything more, but will move that the Standing Committee be empowered to inquire fully into the statements I have made, with a view of ascertaining their correctness, and to report at the next meeting of the Board. The motion was seconded by Mr. Reid, and carried, several members endorsing the remarks of the mover. The Board then adjourned.