HARBOUR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 9, 15 November 1883, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

Thi ordinary fortnightly meeting of tho above Board was held in the Borough Council offices on Tuesday evening last, Present i His Worship the Mayor (Mr E, K. Brown), iu the chair; and Members To.znley, Joyce, Smith, Lewis, Tutchen, Kenny, and Tucker. The mini-La of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Outgoing Cohrksyondsnox. To C. H. C. Webb, re advertisements; to Wells & Gardiner re wharf ooatract. Incoming Con .ts.-ond ncb. The following Incoming correspondence was then road; from Mr Swanston and Co., asking that a slip might bo erected with a view to repairing and overhauling vessels. Member Tutchen moved that the request be granted, subject to the Engineers ap- J proval, as it would be of great utility. The Chairman did uot think the Board had the power to grant the request. Member Joyce said he agreed with the request. It would prove of great service and obviate the necessity of sending vessels to Napier. He moved that the applicants be asked to state further particulars and supply plans as to size, whether permanent or not, and tho place of proposed erection. Member Tucker seconded this motion, which was carried.

The Chairman read the Act which specified that the sanction of Government would be necessary. From Mr Seed, re new Harbour Board Act, stating that the permission of Government wouldjiavo to bo obtained to all ereo tions and harbour improvements. From Mr Piosse, secretary to Gas Company, asking permission to erect a jetty at the foot of Grey street, for tho use of tho new Gas Company. — Member Smith moved that the site and fl plans be inspected by the Engineer, and |wb- H vidiug no objection be taken to the con* templatcd work, that tho plans be forwarded fl to the Marine Department for approval. fl Member Kenny seconded the motion. Member Lewis wished to know under what conditions they wero going to grant fl this application—was it to be free or not. Member Smith said they could not grant ] an exclusive right. The public would have the right to use it if they liked. Member Lewis did not see how they could grant this request without imposing charges. Member Tutchen quite agreed with the last speaker. If they granted this request free they would never know where to draw the line. Anyone could demand the same sort of concession.

Member Smith said tho Board was quite competent to grant the request providing the public were allowed the use of tho wharf. The Chairman said the Gas Company , would be enabled to import <-oal and sell J the same without paying any dues, unless a » fl charge was made. Member Kenny said it was perfectly clear that tho Board should make a charge.

Member Townley said that as It was a ! businesss transaction it should be tally considered from that point of view. He believed that the Gas company intended to import eoal and supply the town. He thought it advisable to see the plans before dealing with the question. He would suggest that the Harbor Board grants be first obtained before compromising themselves, He would move M an amendment, that plans be laid before the Board before pledging themselves to anv further action, * Member Lewis seconded the motion. Member Smith thought his motion would meet all the necersities of the case, He did not see why they should wait until the grants were received. On Member Townley's amendment being it was carried by 4 to 3, k. From Mr Bourke, asking that the Harbor Board pay £25 towards the office rent. The Chairman proposed, and Member Bm th seconded, that the request be acceded to.—Carried.

From Menra Well, ft Gardiner, ukino that kauri timber might be used in lien of tour* for certain portions of wharf. The Engineer stated that the ties being bnt of water kauri would do aS well as

totara, besides being much cheaper. Member Joyce said he was of opinion that f the original condition of contract should be k adhered to. ■to* Member Tutchen said he would ask whether the wood should not be tarred. He would move that permission be granted, ■ subject to the wood being tarred. W Member Joyce objected to this mode of f going away from the specifications. It would undoubtedly lead to many complies* tions, and was unjust to local contractors. Member Kenny moved, and Member Lewis seconded, that the request be granted. Member Joyce moved that the specifics* tions be adhered to. Mr Kenny's motion was then put and K "carried. ■ Payments. V Wharfingers salary £5 os. ■ Orders or the Day. » The complaint of Mr Orr re wharf charges I on tallow was then discussed. ' Member Lewis moved, and Member . Tutohen seconded, that tallow and all other L goods, not otherwise specified, be charged ■k pro rata, He did not see why tallow and all other general merchandise should not be charged at per ton. He had strongly ob* jected to the heavy charges levied on tallow I in the first place, but hud been over-ruled. He also wished poets, rails, and bricks to be included. —Carried. Mr Bennett’s complaint re Mr H. E. Johnston’s landing cargo on the beach was next considered. Mr Johnstone’s letter, in reference to the sama matter, was also read. Member Kenny thought that Mr Johnstone had been written to. He wonld move that the matter be at once placed in the hands of a solicitor, and further that the ► solicitor be instructed to sue under the penalty clause of the Harbor By-laws. There could be no doubt about recovering under this head. They might fail in the charges, but they could not posibly fail in recovering the penalty. The matter was of great importance. But if they succeeded in this action he would further move that Messrs Common, Shelton he written to and warned that they would be proceeded against under the same clause. He would do this with a view to show that they had not persecuted a small man and let others go. It was most necessary in the interests of the public to Rattle this matter. Member Smith had much pleasure in seconding the motion. Member Townley proposed that the Secretary take the opinion of counsel first, He was rather doubtful about going into Court, and he thought it advisable to take legal opinion first. Member Joyce seconded the motion, as he thought it very necessary to take thia precaution. Member Kenny said the solicitor would k Meertain hie position before proceeding, and A if he found the grounds doubtful he would V advisa the Board not to proceed. Ha himL self thought it was perfectly clear. He did see the necessity of losing a fortnight. He would also point to the fact that the ■ public feeling was very strong on this point, He taw by the papers that about 200 tons of oats were about to be landed, and he would ask whether they were to loose the revenue On this large shipment. The feeling of business men was very strong upon this matter. Member Joyce said he was as anxious to see the question settled as any one. Member Tucker said he thought the moat proper course would bo to teat the matter as proposed. Member Kenny's motion waa then put and carried. The Secretary waa then instructed to acknowledge the letters, Member Lewis said that he thought the complaint contained in Mr Johnstone's letter should ba passed over. Member Kenny said he thought the Board should not take any notice of the complaint stated in the latter portion of Mr Johnston's letter.

Member Kenny then made the following motion, which was seconded by Member Joyce, •• That Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. be written to, informing them that they rwill be liable to a penalty of £2O for each offence if they continue to load, discharge or land goods at any other place than that mentioned in the 9th clause By-law 2, unless they make special arrangements with the Harbor Board. Member Kenny said he had read in the Telephone that Messrs Kennedy and Bennett had experimented with some luminous pained. He moved that the Engineer report *t the next meeting as to the advisability of painting rhe beacons with the same rialThe Secretary stated that the ferry contract expired on the 30th of this month, and they wonld have to cal! for tenders for the same. There was also the lamp question to be dealt with. Member Tutchen said they could not do better than keep the same man on as he had done his work well and properly. Member Kenny said he had many opportunities of watching the ferryman, and he k fferryman) was most attentive. ■ Mfgtber Townley said he thought the Boartl was perfectly justified in continuing A the man on at a mouth’s notice. K' Member Joyce said he thought the fairest V way would be to call for tenders. Member Tucker quite agreed with Mem- ■ her Joyce, and thought they should call for tenders. They could give Davis the prefer- [ ence if necessary. Member Joyce thought the notice should be binding on both sides. Member Townley moved, and Member Tutchen seconded, that the present man be retained, subject to a month’s notice. Member Joyce moved, and Member Tucker seconded, that tenders be called, for under the old specifications, including lighting the lamp. On the amendment being put it was lost, and the original motion was then put and carried. The Secretary informed the Board that the County Council had agieed to go halves in the cost of constructing a coal shed. He also stated that the rightsoil man wished . to know whether the boxes had to be emptied once or twice a month. On the minutes being referred to it was found that they were to be emptied twice a month for the next five months.