GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1269, 7 February 1883, Page 2

GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

A meeting of the Gisborne Harbor Board was held last evening at their offices. Those present were -Messrs E. K. Brown (chairman), Townly, Lewis, Tutchen, Whinray, Smith, and Tucker. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE, The Secretary, Mr Bourke, in reply to the Chairman, said that no incoming correspondence had been received. OUTGO! NG CORRESPONDENCE. The Secretary then read the outgoing cor. respondenca The Chairman said he would like to know whether nothing had been heard from Welling ton respecting ilie matter referred to the Government as to Common and Shelton’s wharf and the foreshore, and the question of the audit of accounts. The Clerk replied in the negative. Mr Whinraj' was of opinion that it would be advisable to send a deputation to Wellington, in order that the whole question might be fully enquired into. He thought this would be the most satisfactory way of arriving at some definite understanding on the subject. The Chairman said he considered that the Government had had ample time allowed them for the purpose of answering the letters in question Mr Smith said that the best thing they could do would be to go in for separation, and refuse to pay their taxes in the meantime. Mr Townley said that in his opinion it was not the slightest use sending a deputation to Wellington, because if he was correctly informed all the Ministers were absent from the seat of Government, so that the journey and the expense incurred would be of no avail. He was as anxious to see these questions settled as any one, but he considered that this was not the proper way of doing so. Mr Tutchen considered that this important matter should be determined with as little delay as possible, but he did not consider that sending delegates to W’ellington would help towards the solution of the difficulty. Mr Lewis moved, and Mr Townley seconded, a motion to the effect, “ That a letter be written to the Minister of Marine asking for a reply to letters sent re Common and Co. ’s Wharf, and other matters relating to further Wharf accommodation.” He considered it would be utterly useless to send delegates to Wellington at present, it would simply be a waste of time and money. Mr Townley said he would second the motion. He was of opinion that the best thing to do was to give more time, and let the Secretary write again. He did not think there was any urgent hurry. Mr Smith said that their member had asked them to “ hold their hands ” with reference to this question. It would therefore appear that he had written to Wellington on the subject. He, for one, did not see why the Board should be put off from time to time Mr Tucker, who came in late, said that after the matter had been fully explained to him as to what had been said by previous speakers, that it was not desirable to hurry Ministers in a question of such importance. He was of opinion that the best method to adopt would be to send to the Government asking when replies to the several letters sent them on this subject are likely to be received, and whether the Crown Grant may be expected in a short time. Mr Lewis thought the Government should be asked to reply to all letters sent on this subject.

Mr Tutchen thought that the best way would be to simply wk when the Crown Bi ant would be ready, and he would therefore move as an amendment “That a letter be written to the Government asking when the grant for the Gisborne foreshore will be signed, as the Harbor Board of Gisborne wm not able to deal with the question of the foreshore, or exercise any of the powers of a Harbor Board until they were in possession of the report." Mr Tueker seconded the amendment, which was carried. The following letter was read from the Engineer re Harries and Lincoln’s contract:— Council Chambers, Feb. 6. To the Chairman of the Harbor Board. Sir, —I beg to recommend payment to Messrs Harries and Lincoln of the sum of £l2 !oa., being amount due for repairs to the stockyard, deducting amount of timber, less specification.—l have, Ac., John Drummond, Harbor Board Engineer. After a considerable discussion Mr Whinray moved, and Mr. Tutchen seconded, that the account be paid. Mr Drummond explained that if the job in question, which was only temporary, had been of a permanent description it would have cost tne Board a very great deal more. Payments. Payments to the amount of £l7 15s were passed by the Board. The Wharves. Mr Lewis wished to know whether the disputed amounts re wharf dues had been paid in. The Secretary said that this had been done in most instances. Bank Account, A long discussion ensued as to whether it was advisable that the Harbor Board should pay over to the Borough Council the sum which the former body had in the Bank. After a great deal of talk it was decided to leave the question an open one for the present. The Secretary reported that the Board at the present time had £lB7 to their Credit at the Bank. REVISING THE TARIFF. Mr Whinray considered that the wharf tariff required revising, He did not think that commercial travellers should be charged in the same ratio as others. As the matter stood at present they paid wharfage both ways, which he did not consider was right. He thought a committee should be appointed to revise the tariff, and cut down the excessive charges. The Chairman thought it would be best to postpone the question for the present, until the Board was placed upon a safer basis, The Board then adjourned.