HARBOR BOARD.

Patea Mail, 16 September 1880, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting was held on Monday. Present: Messrs Sherwood (in the chair), Milroy, Adams, Horner, and Bahnforth. ENDOWMENT BILL. The Chairman stated the result of his visit to Wellington. He had had interviews with several members of the Government for the purpose of obtaining an endowment of land, or a loan, to carry on the navigation improvements at Patea heads. A bill had been drafted for endowing the Harbor Board with 5,000 acres of land on the Mountain road. This was submitted for the necessary Ministerial sanction before it could be introduced in the Assembly. The Ministry refused to sanction the endowment. The Chairman had then reduced his proposal to 2,500, but that also was not sanctioned. He failed in every way to obtain assistance from the Ministry, however small. Had the endowment hill for 5,000 acres been f allowed to go before the Assembly on its y merits, he felt confident the House would have passed it. The Chairman had also called on the heads of the Marine Department with reference to leading lights on the breakwater, for night navigation, and a draft notice for gazetting these lights was now ready for sending to Wellington. Mr Milroy proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman for his efforts in Wellington, with approval thereof, Mr Horner seconded, and said that although the immediate object had not been accomplished, the Chairman’s visit would doubtless have prepared the way to future success by making known to the Government and to members of the Assembly the importance of the work at this port, and the great success which had been achieved with a small expenditure. It was also important that this harbor should bo placed in the same position as others with respect to lights. The motion was adopted unanimously.

Til 10 WUAUVKS. The wharfinger's rent in advance to end of year was tendered by cheque. It appeared that Mr Dale had called twice at the Secretary’s office before the date for payment expired, but had not found him in ; and having tendered after the date had expired, the secretary could not receive rent without instruction from the Board. The Board now resolved to accept the payment. Mr Dale had written to the Board about responsibility for damage to goods in the wharf sheds, and be now attended to state that the stores are not rat-proof, goods being frequently damaged • and that the lower store is liable to be flooded, there being 6 inches of water in it one night last month.

Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Milroy, {! That the wharfinger be informed that the Board does not consider it is responsible for damage to any goods in the wharfinger's charge.” Carried.

ENCiIXEKU’s lIEI'OUT, In his monthly* report, the Engineer said; “Very good progress has been made with the breakwater, and it will be finished in less than a fortnight. The contractor for the cattle wharf is driving piles and forming the cattle yard. His work was very much put back by timber not coming when expected. The work is being pushed on now. The channel is good. The new light is tested this month, and answers well.” pilot's iti-ponr. The pilot reported that the large new lamp is fixed in light-house and is a great improvement. Masters of vessels say it can be seen at a distance of 10 or 11 miles. Received Bright light for end of groin. The width from breakwater to north spit is now 97 feet, with a depth of 18 feet at spring tides. Three vessels had crossed the bar at night, and 28 had crossed during the month. FINANCE. Accounts were passed for payment as follow : —Mrs Dickson, breakwater, £SOO ; G. H. Dickson, wharf progress payment, £ 100 ; J. Kenworthy, stationery, £2 3s lOd ; S. Taplin, kerosene, &c, £3 10s; T. Wright, labor, 16s ; A. Wood, £1 6s Gd ; T. Eyton, £1 Is ; Mills, mast-head light, £4 15s; Marine Department, balance of cost of new light, £5.

A special meeting of the Board will be convened on completion of the contract. The Board adjourned.