HARBOR BOARD.

Patea Mail, 9 October 1882, Page 3

HARBOR BOARD.

The Board met this afternoon. Present, Messrs D. Coutts (chairman), Dane, Aitchison, Peacock, and Adams. CORRESPONDENCE, The outward correspondence was read and approved. The Marine Department wrote acknowledging receipt of amended bye-laws. A Question of Expense. A letter was read from Mr Cooper, asking for an increase of wages. Mr Gane moved. that the Wharfinger should be empowered to engage Cooper at £2 per week, a week’s notice to terminate the engagement. Mr Adams considered that there would not be work for a man for 36 hours a week. He did not think that steamers would come so frequently as they had hitherto done. Mr Gane, in speaking to the-motion, said there was a difficulty in getting a man just when he was wanted. He thought it would be better to keep a good man engaged than to trust to getting one occasionally. The .Chairman .'seconded the motion. He said that as there was so much work going on in town, it would not be wise for the Board to stand out for a few shillings. Mr Adams contended that it would not be advisable to have other than the wharfinger on regular wages. The work now being done in the port did not justify any other course. The Hawera people had made arrangements since the increase of dues to get their goods via Waitara, a steamer being about to be laid on at 15s per ton. He did not think any increase of the expenses should be made till it could be seen how the new dues worked. Mr Aitchison remarked that although trade had fallen off, he did not attribute it to the increased charges, but more to the. want of suitable vessels. The Hawera people would soon find it to their advantage to trade by this port, and he thought that the Shipping Company should put on another steamer until the new boat was ready. Mr Gane was under the impression that the Hawera people had diverted their trade because of the expense caused by the Wakatu going ashore. He would like to know what the wharf dues were. The Secretary said that for the past two weeks the gross receipts bad been only £B. The Chairman remarked that twelve months ago the receipts were £55 2s 7d. The resolution that Mr Cooper be engaged at £2 per week, was put and carried. The Board’s PetitionMajor Atkinson wrote that the Board’s petition- had not yet been decided upon. It was now before the Public Works department, and he suggested that the Minister should be written to direct. Mr Aitchison moved that application be made to the Minister of Public Works for settlement of the claim fcr compensation, as recommended by the Public Petitions Committee. Seconded by Mr Peacock and carried. (Board still sitting.)