HARBOR BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 540, 1 July 1880, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

A special meeting of the Harbor Board was held on Tuesday, to consider the proposed construction of a cattle and general wharf on the town side of the Patea river, the continuance of the the improvement works at the heads, and the necessity for a stronger light for the light-house. Present : Messrs Sherwood (in the chair), Horner, Adams, Milroy, Gibson, Newiand, and Balmforth. The Chairman said : I have called you together £or the purpose of asUing you to decide, firstly as to what course you will take with respect to the erection of the proposed wharf on the town side. The order in Council, which will be laid before you, was issued by the Government, and forwarded in due course to the Board. By tin's order you will observe that the Board has now power, should they think fit to exercise it, to erect wharves on Sir John Goode’s line on the town side of the river. In order to bring the matter clearly before you, I instructed the engineer to

prepare plans for one section of the larger wharf suggested by Sir John Coode. , The proposed section will form one end of his plan, as indicated on his plan for the town side. The other subject for which I have asked you to meet is to consider the means for farther carrying out the harbor work at the heads, or such other work as may be necessary in connection with it. I think you will agree that the time has arrived when, considering that Parliament is in session, we should now decide about taking steps for the farther prosecution of the work at the heads. I interpret the position of the Board to be this, that it was to undertake the construction of works at the heads for the purpose of opening up a bade ; and if we may consider that a trade is now opened, and that it is essentially a cattle trade, the Board’s farther duty I take to be the providing of facilities for shipping cattle at the port. The railway works which will bo shortly commenced, will no doubt be the means of bringing in craft of considerable size, and that will afford an excellent opportunity for the commencement of shipping stock. It is our duty to take advantage of that, and provide facilities for shipping the cattle. lam aware that a question has been raised as to the desirability of erecting cattle wharves on the site laid down. You will observe that Sir John Goode, who is consulting engineer to the Government, lias laid down certain plans, which guide the Government, and in turn guide us. He has suggested alternative wharves On the two sides of the river. Now the Government have decided to erect a Railway wharf, and yon will see that this wharf is planned for general produce. That being so, it : is not to be supposed that the Railway wharf will be for cattle purposes, and we have therefore to consider where the required cattle wharf can be placed. We asked for an order in Council allowing the Board to erect a wharf in a particular place shown on the plan. That order has been issued, and the Board has now to take a farther step. The proposed site appears to me very suitable. The Board have already taken the necessary steps to clear away the approach to it, by saying, in effect, that no timber, &c., shall be stacked there. That will leave a clear rim into the cattle-yard, and I anticipate that it will be almost entirely a cattle-yard as soon as the work on the other side of the river lias commenced. I would ask the Board to carefully consider the position they occupy. The Act clearly defines the functions of the Board. Sir John Coodo still farther places the Board in a position to select a site where they may erect wharves ; and in addition wo have now got the order in Council for this particular wharf. Then, with regard to carrying out the work at the heads, I think yon will also agree that now is the time to take the necessary steps. I will ask the Board presently to go into committee, when I will state generally what I consider to bo the best course for carrying out the work at the heads. The other matter concerning a new light is contained in some correspondence with the Marine Deportment. The Board then went into committee, with the following result : HAHISOR IMPROVEMENT FUNDS. In committee, a conversation ensued on the desirability of taking action while Parliament is sitting, to raise farther funds for continuing the improvement works at the Pate,a heads. The Board seemed to be remarkably unanimous, both as to what ought to be done, and as to the best method of accomplishing a work so important to the whole district. It was agreed that Mr Sherwood bo authorised, as chairman, to proceed to Wellington for the purpose of raising funds, and also to promote a Bill (if found desirable) for givingeffect to any plan approved by Government.

NEW CATTLE WHARK. llesolved, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Adams, “ That tenders be invited for the construction of a cattle-shipping and general wharf, in accordance with plans now belorc the Board, subject to the cattle yards being extended to the dotted lines marked A in the plans” (this being a slight alteration to avoid an angle.) Resolved, on the motion of Mr Horner, seconded by Mr Gibson, “ That the chairman, the mover (Horner), Mr Newlaud, and Air Bahnforlh be a committee to collect all possible information for the best construction of the Cattle Wharf and yards, and lay such information before the Board at the next meeting.” SALARY TO CHAIRMAN. Resolved, on the motion of Milroy, seconded by Mr Newland, “That the Chairman endeavor to have inserted in tire new Bill power to pay such salary as the Board ma3 r think lit to their chairman.” LARGER PORT LIGHTS. Resolved, on the motion of Air Gibson, seconded b3 r Mr Horner, “ That the Chairman be empowered to arrange for the exchange of port lights, and jjay what difference of cost is required (L 25) by the Marine Department.” QUESTION OK STACKING TIMBER. Air W. Dale, who lias re-leased the present wharves, opened a question as to his right to stack; timber under tbe terms of tbe new jease, byr wi'iting* to tbe JBoarcl as. follows :—“ I have the honor to request that 3’ou will, before July Ist, inform me when a bj'e-law was made by the Board regulating the time goods are allowed to remain on the wharves, the approaches thereto, or in the stores attached to the wharves, in order that I may carry out clauses 72 and 73 of the Harbors Act, 1878.” The Board directed the clerk to supply the required information ; and this terminated the special business.