HARBOR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 97, 2 April 1884, Page 2

HARBOR BOARD.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above was held last night. Present; Messrs. Lewis (in the chair), Hepburn, Joyce, Kenny, Tucker, Smith, Brown, and Townley. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE. To C. A. DeLautour, re Harbor Construction Act, inviting him to attend a special meeting of the Board; to D. A. Tole, re Crown grant of foreshore; to H. E. Johnstone, re his request refunding wharfage; to the Registrar at Napier. INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE, From E. Bamford, stating that the Harbor Board grants had been registered, and requesting amount to be forwarded. The Secretary was instructed to forward the amount. From H. W. Luke, requesting the erection of a crane for careers at the wharf for the purpose of loading heavy goods on drays, and stating the inconvenience at present experienced without it. Mr. Joyce thought such a thing was necessary, and that it would be very handy for the carters. He moved, “ That the crane be supplied.” Mr. Lewis thought it would be better for the Secretary to enquire what the cost would be for erecting the same. Mr. Brown said that they had found out the cost before, and they came to the conclusion that the necessary crane was too expensive. Mr. Kenny moved “That Mr. Luke be written to, and informed that their funds were not sufficient to permit them doing so at present.” Seconded by Mr. Brown, and carried. From A. Swanston & Co., re application for site to erect a slip for the purpose of repairing vessels, and forwarding plans of the same. The site to be just above the stores occupied by. Messrs. Common & Co. Members were of opinion that such a work was necessary. Mr. Smith proposed that the matter be left over until they receive their grants, as they really did not know the boundaries of the foresnore. It was only a matter of a week or so. Seconded by Mr. Kenny, and carried. engineer’s report. Sir, —I was instructed at your last meeting to report on the silting-up of the river opposite the new wharf. The depth of water near the wharf is very irregular, holes being formed by vessels lying there. But from observation, and from information given me by the Harbor Master, I think that there has not been any considerable general diminution of depth off the wharf within the last month. I have, &c„ R. J. Reynolds, Harbor Board Engineer. PAYMENTS. W. H. Clayton, £2 15s 6d; Wilson and Horton, £3 10s; Wharfinger’s salary, £6; G. Humphreys, £1 ss; E. Bamford {re Grants), £2 4s. TENDERS. Printing and Advertising. Two tenders were received, viz., from Mr. C. H. C. Webb, and Messrs. Chrisp and Muir. In reply to Mr. Tucker, the Secretary said that in calling for tenders he had not mentioned sureties, as he thought the tenderers were fully aware that they would have to do so. Member Tucker said that as there had been no intimation that sureties would be required, and as Mr. Webb’s tender was so much lower than the other, he would move that his tender be accepted, provided he agreed to find the necessary sureties. Member Smith concurred with the foregoing remarks and would second the motion. (Carried.) EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS. Mr. Kenny said he was glad that it was not a late sitting, as he had a matter of great importance to bring forward, which should be at once discussed. On Friday last the launch left the wharf for the steamer in the Bay with a large number of passengers. When the launch reached the steamer she was ordered to keep off, as they would not ship them until the skow which was alongside was cleared. The launch, with the passengers, was kept cruising up and down in the rough water for upwards of an hour before they could get on board the steamer, during which time many had become wet, and many of the females were suffering from sickness. This sort of thing could not be tolerated, as in the case of invalids, it might cause their death. Now he did not think it was necessary to say whose fault it was, but he thought it was their duty to ascertain and see how this kind of nuisance could be stopped. Speaking for himself, the civility of the officers on the steamer was great, from the highest to the lowest. If something was not done the port would get such a bad name that the large steamers would not call here at all, and they would be taken off the line altogether. The Board should, therefore, form a by-law or by-laws providing that when a passenger launch comes alongside a steamer in the Bay, any lighters, <fcc., in their road would have to make room for the embarking or disembarking of the passengers from the launch. He submitted that it was the duty of the Board to take some step ot that nature. He now quoted the 215th clause of the Harbors Act, and subsection 9 of the Harbor By-laws, whereby he maintained that it was open to the Board to pass a regulation which would obviate a similar state of things occurring again. With a view to something being done in this matter, he would move three resolutions : Ist, “ That a committee to consist, of Members Tucker, Smith, and the mover, be empowered to draw up 'a by-law or by-laws to compel lighters, scows, &c., to give way to passengers so that they (the passengers) may be embarked or disembarked without delay and with safety.” 2nd, “ That the committee be empowered to publicly notify the by-law or by-laws in accordance with the Harbors Act of 1878.” 3rd,. “ That a special meeting of the Board to consider and adopt the by-law or by-laws after such amendments as the Board should think fit to make, be held on Tuesday, the 15th of April, due notice to be given to the Secretary of such meeting in accordance with the law.”

The Chairman agreed with Member Kenny, and was of opinion that such a bye-law or bye-laws should be framed. Therefore he he would put the first proposition, and second it himself. Carried. Member Joyce said he would second the next proposition which was carried. Member Smith here asked how they were to be enforced. Member Kenny replied that they could fine the people who did not comply with them. The 3rd proposition was seconded by Member Brown, and carried. It was decided to inform Messrs. Kennedy and Bennett and the agent of the U.S.S. Co., of the step they were about to take. NOTICE OF MOTION. Member Joyce gave notice of motion “ That some definite rent scale be adopted by this Board, to be discussed at the next meeting.”