HARBOR BOARD.

Patea Mail, 14 September 1881, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

The monthly meeting was held on Monday afternoon. Present : Messrs Coutts (in the chair), Horner, Newland, Aitchison, and Adams. SURVEYOR’S ACCOUNT. The Board resolved, after discussion, to pass for payment Mr Combea’s account for surve3’ing the leasehold sections near wharf, and freehold sections on the flat under Coutts’s farm, also preparing plans for same ; the account to bo reduced from £ls 17s to £l2. The plan of sections on the flat is not yet passed b}’ the Chief Surveyor at New Plymouth, the difficulty being that part of the ground was surveyed by Mr Beere and part by Mr Combes, and each survey is to be certifid to by an independent surveyor as being correct. Probably the whole may have to be gone over by another surveyor for this purpose. BOULDERS WANTED. In reply to an application from the Public Works Department for permission to take boulder stones from the heads, the Board resolved to reply that all the stones are required for harbor works. GRAVEL ON LEASED LAND. The Board being informed that gravel is being carted from the Board’s reserve on the Green Island, contrary to terms of lease, which permits the lessee to use the gravel on said land only, Mr Aitchison moved and Mr Horner seconded “ That Mr M’Carthy be supplied with a copy of clause in conditions of his lease referring to gravel, and be informed that he is committing a breach of said clause by allowing gravel to be taken from land leased by him from the Board.” Motion carried. The Board resolved also to ask Mr M’Carthy for a return showing number of loads or yards of gravel removed from his leased land since his occupation. PILOT’S HOUSE. Mr Wood asked for an addition to be made to the pilot’s house. It was understood he wants another room. His application was forwarded to the Minister of Marine. LIFTING HEAVY GOODS. On the question of purchasing one of Weston’s patent pully blocks, the prices for lifting two tons being £4 10s to £5 2s 6d, the Chairman stated be found the Board owned a winch which was being used by the railway contractors, and he had asked for the winch to be returned, and had also procured neccessary block and tackle for putting the winch in working order. He thought this should be erected in the goods shed, and be used for lifting heavy cases and bales, instead of purchasing new machinery. It appeared the block and mounting had cost £1 17s 6d, and a rope for same, £1 5s 4d, making together £8 2s lOd. Probably sheer-legs will also be required. The Board agreed to ask Messrs Downes and Proctor to return the winch ; also to return a punt. ACCOUNTS. Following accounts were passed for payment: McCarty & Hunger £lO 19s Bd, Mrs Farnie, manilla rope £1 5s 4d ; D. Murray, Wanganui £3, S. Taplin £8 14s and £1 19s Bd, J. Smith, labor lls, A. R. Pye 7s 6d, York & Cornfoot £1 lls, G. Kennedy £l.

' PILOT’S I.’Ki’Oi! I’. Mr Woof! reported : T is lion in bar and chimin.-! since my last report, both keeping good and straight, with 11 feet water over bar at springs, and 130 feet from breakwater to north spit. Have returned lamp to Wellington, ns instructed, Windlass on west head requires shifting, on account of cliff washing away ; and would recommend windlass be placed on south side of river next to breakwater. HARBOR ENDOWMENTS, Ac. In compliance with a general order requiring a return to Parliament of. all endowments made to Harbor Boards, specifying general and provincial, also previous and piesent values, the following return has been sent by the Patea Board : Liabilities : Loan at 7 per cent., from August ’79 £IO,OOO Endowments Wharves and plant £2,000 0 0 Lighthouse 70 0 0 Punt . 170 0 0 Boats (3) 50 0 0 Anchors, chains, rope, &c 75 0 0 Flagstaff and pilot’s house . 300 0 0 Office furniture 30 0 0 Cash 31st March 135 14 8 £9,383 14 8 Contingent asset,breakwater (cost) ...... 12,510 11 0 Total value of endowments granted by the general Government : Proceeds of sales of endowments ; £6,973 17 4 Still in possession of Board (estimated).. 6,563 0 0 £13,526 17 4 RATING THE TONNAGE. Chairman called attention to the financial position of the Board, and said as they had power to rate imports and exports up to 2s a ton, he thought the Board should now take action and levy the 2s rate. Objections were urged against any such rate. Chairman then said there was a resolution on the book to rate at Is a ton, and he would move : —“ That action be taken to put resolution in force passed by this Board at meeting of 21st July, 1879.” He said there was a serious liability which the Board might have to meet at any time. They must be aware that the land on which the boiling-down Company’s plant stood was being washed away, and an action might be brought against this Board for compensation unless the Board spent some money in putting up a protection work opposite the Boiling-down property, He estimated that 480 cubic }'ards of stone would be required, and might be placed in position at 10s a yard, making £240. There was a good solid bottom, and thej' would not need to go much below the present surface. The rate of 2s a ton would bring in £6OO a year, and the Is rate would yield £3OO. Mr Newland seconded the motion. It was fair that settlers should bear a part of the Board’s liabilities, and this was the only way the Board could get them to do so. Mr Adams objected to a rate at present, and thought the matter should stand over for consideration. He moved “ That no action in the matter of rate for harbor improvement be taken until next meeting.” Mr Horner seconded. Mr Aitchison supported, The subject was discussed at considerable length, and eventually the amendment for delay was carried. The Board adjourned. Civil servants appointed since October ’76 are to be re vaccinated whether they like it or not. By order. The Representation Bill is now an Act, or will be when the Royal assent is given by the Governor or his deputy. Sunday telegraph business is now discontinued at Paten, Manutahi, Normanby, Waverley, and Waitotara. The cottage and section lately sold by Mr Lett have been leased to Mr Rhodes, bootmaker, and a good shop is to be erected on the front area. The shop lately rented by Mr Donnelly from Mr Kenworthy was erroneously mentioned in this connection.