HARBOR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1054, 5 September 1879, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The fortnightly meeting of the Harbor Board was held this morning, when there were present —Messrs. Sumpter (chairman), Shrimski, Gibbs, Hassell, Reid, and Borrie. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. The following letter and its enclosure were read and referred to the Standing Committee : New Zealand Underwriters' Association, Dunedin, 20th August, 1879. The Chairman, Oamaru Harbor Board. Oamaru. Dear Sir, —I have the honor to enclo-e a copy of a letter received from the Chairman of the New Zealand Underwriters' Association, which I was instructed at last meeting of the Otago branch to forward to you. On behalf of the members of this Association I have to inform you that we will be willing at all times to make it a stipulation in our policies that any regulations your Board may choose to make regarding the anchoring or berthing of vessels loading or discharging at the port of Oamaru shall be strictly adhered to on pain of forfeiture of insurance. - It is reported that the Franklyn Belle, recently wrecked at Oamaru came into the roadstead contrary to the port master. Will you kindly inform me if this is correct ? Yours faithfully, A. Hill Jack, Chairman.

[enclosure.] New Zealand Marine Underwriters' Association, Aucklaud, 17th July, IS7S, A. H. Jack, Esq., Dunedin. Dear Sir, —I shall be glad if you would call the attention of your Association and, through them, the Chamber of Commerce at your port to a complaint which reaches nie from Oamaru that there are at times nioro vessels behind the Breakwater there than it is prudent to accommodate, and that they will come in even when the signals are up ordering them to keep out to sea. It has been suggested that the Insurance Companies should notify that they will not hold themselves responsible for loss or accident if vessels put in in defiance of the Harbormaster's instructions. It would also be well if the Harbor Board would pass a bye-law inflicting a penalty on any master of a vessel acting contrary to the Harbormaster's instructions. —I remain, &c., Geo. I'. I'IKRiT., Chairman. The Harbor Master wrote at some length with reference to the necessity for dredging a portion of the harbor, stating a large quantity of sand had collected the outer berth of the Macandrew Lreakwater. Consideration of the matter was deferred until thei-j was a fuller meeting. » J The following letter was read : To the Chairman and Members, Oamaru Harbor Board. \ Gentlemen, —We wish to direct attention to the extraordinary eh, made by you 011 the cargo and charged and shipped from and to the barque Dunkeld. We have before us a resolution passed by the Board, and dated 3rd May, 1579, advising us that cargo would be landed and shipped from and to vessels at the outer anchorage at an additional charge of 2s per ton. This being the ease, we were surprised to find that the Board, without giving any notice previous to arrival of the vessel, made a charge of 3s per ton on the cargo ox Dunkeld, while at the same time cargo is being supplied to the Gloria at 2s per ton. The reason of this, we are informed, is because the cargo ex Dunkeld takes longer time, and consequently costs the Board more. But, on the contrary, we believe we are correct in stating that the average quantity discharged each day from the Duukeld with the same number of boats far exceeds what was ever shipped on board the Gloria, or possibly any other which has loaded during this season at the outer anchorage. The charge made for ballast is also increased from 4s to 7s, and wo believe we are correct in saying that ballast lias been supplied to certain vessels not laying alongside any of the wharves at 4s per ton. We have also been informed that the Board has no desire to make a profit on the ballasting of vessels, but only to charge what will cover cost of same. We are cer tain that the ballast delivered on board the Dunkeld did not cost the Board more than. 4s (id per ton. We will be glad if the Board can inform us why the charges made on this particular vessel and cargo have been increased, and why such alteration was not made public for sorne time previous to coining into force, to enable importers, and owners or agents of vessels, to calculate what the expenses on cargo or vessel would amount to. There is a further charge made against the vessel of 3d per ton on the inward cargo which we are unable to understand, as we believe such a charge was only intended to be made on vessels discharging cargoes into boats while lying at the buoys inside the Breakwater. We regret having to trouble you at such length, but we consider the charges made on this particular ship and cargo are most unfair, and will doubtless damage the port if allowed to pass.—Yours, &e., J. & T. Meek. The Chairman pointed out that the charge made for unloading the Dunkeld was fixed, after careful consideration of the question, at a former meeting, at, which Mr. Anderson, the representative of the consignee, was present, and agreed to the terms. He did not think the question should now be re-opened, with a view to making an alteration. With refereuco to the charge of 3d alluded to, the Board might consider whether they could make a reduction. The Secretary pointed out that the Board had made a profit oil the ballast supplied, and said that a remission on that might be made. /'■"\e Chairman mentioned that the I' boats had been greatly damaged by" tiie unloading of the Dunkeld, and said that he had been informed that it would cost LIOO to repair them. Mr. Reid : Was any made for the supply of the ballast ? The Secretary : Yes. Mr. Reid : Then I do not think we should, make any remission, seeing that there was a loss on the unloading of the vessel. Mr. Gibbs pointed out that the contractor for the supply of the water-pipoa had effected a considerable saving by the vessel coming to Oamaru instead of going to Dunedin, and by a largo vessel being sent instead of two small ones, as was intended at first, a lower freight being charged in the large vessel. He did not think the consignee had therefore any cause for complaint. On the motion of Mr. Hassell, seconded by Mr. Reid, it was decided to remit tho charge of 3d per ton, as there was some doubt whether the Board was empowered to make the charge, as the vessel did not receive any benefit from the Breakwater. The tender of Messrs Nimmo and Blair (the lowest) was accepted for the supply of ropes. The tender of Messrs. Jack, Steel, and Hendry, for the repair of No. 2. crane, was accepted, the amount being LG4. The Chairman gave notice that ha would, at the next meeting, move that the Board go into Committee to consider the advisability of securing a dredge. Accounts to the amount of L 4206 14s were passed for payment, and the Board rose.