HARBOR BOARD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1247, 16 April 1880, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The fortnightly meeting of the Harbor Board was held to-day, when there were present—Messrs. Sumpter (Chairman), the Hon. J. Miller, Messrs. Hassell, Shrimski, Aitken, and Gibbs. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read and approved. Mr. Samuel Rusbatch wrote asking for permission to erect a hut near the lagooon for asphalting purposes, and offering to pay an annual rental of L 4 per year. It was agreed to permit the use of the land on the payment-of 2s per week. A letter from Mr. Loring .was read with, reference to the refund of 4s 9d for wharfage paid over to the Board, but not collected by the Department. Opinions were expressed that the Railway Department, having undertaken the collection of the money, had no right to give credit and leave the Board to run the risk of losing fees. No resolution was passed on the subject. Mr. J. R." Stewart, surveyor,' wrote with reference to the delay in passing the plan of the leasehold by the Chief Surveyor of Otago, expressing regret that difficulties had arisen in the' way of depositing the plan under the Land Transfer Act. He explained that at the time he made the survey it was only for the purpose of preparing plans in connection with the sale of the leases. Some considerable time afterwards, on proceeding to make the necessary plan for depositing in the Transfer Office, unexpected difficulties arose. Several pegs had dis•appeared, and others had been removed by the navvies forming the line. The writer also gave explanations of the negotiations between the Chief Surveyor and himself.

It was resolved to request Mr. Stewart to have a plan prepared sufficient to satisfy the Survey Office. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Land Tax Commissioner, asking for a refund of the amount paid by the Board as land tax. Accounts to the amount of L 513 3s 6d were passed for payment. Inspector Thompson wrote as follows: Sir, to your request that notice should be given to persons living on Harbor Board Reserve, near the beach, to remove them, I have the honor to state that notice was given on the 26th ultimo, but they have declined to attend to it, and from, what I can gather I think they intend to contest their so-called right to remain there, and I wguld therefore suggest that the Board's solicitor be asked to advise the best mode o# procedure.—l am,- &c., A. Thompson, Inspector, The Board then rose.