GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1213, 29 November 1882, Page 2

GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

The fortnightly meeting of the above was held last evening. Present—Mr C» D. Bennett (chairman), Messrs Clayton, Lewis, Townley, Tutchen, Clarke, Tucker, Brown, Whinray. The minutes were read and confirmed. Communications from Mr Seed were read relative to the proposed Taruheru Bridge, and also as to the scheme for reclamation from the wharf at the foot of Read’s Quay round to Peel Street, and forwarding copies of the plans submitted (the cost ot which, however, put down at £3 3s). The Board was informed that in all cases where it was pro]>oBed to reclaim along the foreshore the road must be 100 feet wide. Mr Brown said that if a work such as that suggested and with such a stipulation as that made by the Government, were carried out it would occasion serious loss to Messrs Common, Shelton, and Co. as the road would have to pass right through their store. Another thing it was after widening the road to that extent, it would be the property of the Borough Council and not of the Harbor Board. Mr Townley said that during his recent visit to Wellington he had sought into this matter, and had discovered that the Government were determined as to the 100 feet of roadway when fronting a river. He thought the matter should stand over until the question of wharf extension came up, and made a motion to that effect. The committee appointed to enquire into i the difficulty existing relative to affairs with ' Messrs Common, Shelton, and Co.’s premises I brought up the following report:— That this committee being placed in pos- | session of further facts, do not clearly per* I ceive the specific interest they would obtain by undertaking to carry out any arrangej ment entered into between the Borough Council and Messrs Common, Sheltcn, and Qo. They, therefore, cannot recommend the Board to undertake such arrangement. And this committee further recommend that a statement of the whole facts of the I case be forwarded to the Government for their information, drawing their attention to , the fact that at the time the Borough Council entered into the agreement witn Messrs I Common, Shelton, and Co. they were ignot* j ant of the existence of the deed of convey* ■ ance from Mr G. E. Read to the Queen, dated 14th April, 1870. ■ The committee recognise the propriety of I making a fair compensation to Messrs Com* i mon, Shelton, and Co. for their buildings. Mr Brown said he was averse to the adop- ; tion of the report, as the agreement had i already been made, and the matter finally settled. Mr Clayton moved that the report be adopted. This, after some delay, was seconded by Mr Tucker. Mr Brown wished to move as an amend* ment that the report be not adopted, but was informed that a distinct negative could J not be moved as an amendment. He then stated he would vote against the motion. The Chairman said he was of opinion Mr ' Brown was right. Mr Lewis supported the report, and thought he would be doing wrong if he did not do so. He always thought that Messis I Common, Shelton, and Co. possessed a title, 1 but had not discovered they had no right whatever. Mr Tutchen said that considering rent and privileges Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. had done the Borough Council out of from £6OOO to £7OOO. But still he thought the bargain should be stuck to. He himself

never backed out of anything. Mr Tucker said there was no doubt the Council had been misled. Mr Common had distinctly stated that he had a good and valid title, and if Mr Common when he was in attendance at the Council, knew anything of the deed by which the late Captain Read had handed over the property to the Queen he said nothing about it. What he would like to sec would lie a Dr. and Cr. balance-

sheet. Let the firm put down the actual cost of what they have expended, and as against it the rental and value of the privileges they have enjoyed, and a balance be struck. If it were in their power let them be paid every penny. Mr Townley advocated the adoption of the report. The agreement made was not with the Harbor Board, which at that time was not constituted, but with the Borough Council. How could it then be binding on the Board. The Board was not the Council, and it was not responsible for anything the Council had done previous to its existence. ! He could not understand why members were ! so timid. The motion as to the adoption of the report was then put and carried nem dis. The following applications were received for the appointment of Wharfinger : R. G. Gibbons, £l5O (informal) ; J. B. Dawson, £3 per week ; H. Humblett, £3 3s per week; W. J. Quigley. £120; J. Fyson, £2 25s per week ; A. J. Thomas, £l5O ; H. E. Johnston, £lB5 ; A. W. Gould, £l5O (informal) ; John Baldwin, £150; Hugh Fraser, £2 9s per week ; J. Bennett, £2 12s 6d. Mr Lewis moved, and Mr Tutchen seconded, that Mr Bennett’s application be accepted. Mr Brown moved that Mr W. J. Quigley’s offer be accepted. Mr Townley moved that Mr Johnston’s application be accepted, but there was no seconder. After fully half an hour’s time had been frittered away Mr J. Bennett gained the appointment by 5 votes to 4. The tendering for the Turanganui Ferry and Weighbridge resulted in Mark Davis securing the position. The tenders were separate ones, but the total amounts were— Mark Davis, £146; I*. Bluett, £136 Is; Hearficld and Mcßride, £130; A. Gregg, £l2O. The Engineer’s Report was read as follows, and adopted:—

Harbor Board Office, 2Sth Nov,, 188!. 'to the Chairman of the Harber Board, Siti—l have the honor to submit plane and specifications for wharfage extension. In compliance with Sir John Coode’s eng. gestion I have materially strengthened the proposed structure by the introduction of a greater number of driving piles, and additional braces, or land ties. I have further to report that in conjunction With the District Surveyor, J. 0. Barnard, Esq., I have pegged out the boundaries defining the Gisborne Harbor foreshore, as between the Taruheru and Waimata Rivers, and Masri Point, and the extreme boundary on the sea coast towards the east; substantial pegs and poets have been put in at each Of these points and painted white. Plana nave been forwarded by Mr Barnard correctly defining the boundaries of the foreshore, tor the purpose of facilitating the completion of Crown grants to your Board. The continnation of Lytton Road to the sea coast on the south, and the Taruheru River on the north, will require to be surveyed and pegged off.—l have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant, Jobs Dbummosd, Harbor Board Engineer. It was decided to thank Mr 8. Locke for forwarding the copy of a deed conveying by the Native owner to the Queen 2 chains behind high water mark along the Kaite beach. On the motion of Mr Townley, seconded by Mr Clayton, “That the rights conveyed in the deed be applied for by the Harbor Board.” Carried. Re the wharf extension, it was decided to send a copy of the proposed additions to the Government for approval, and also that the committee should draft a letter and send it to the Government re the report. The meeting then adjourned.