GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 178, 9 July 1884, Page 2

GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the above took place last night. Present Messrs. Lewis (in the chair), Townley, Kenny, Joyce, Hepburn, Brown, and Smith. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Outgoing Correspondence. Two letters were read—to Mr. Nolan re information against Mr. H. E. Johnstone; to Messrs. Shelton and Co. re valuation of premises. Incoming Correspondence. The following letter was read from Mr. J. W. Nolan in reply to a request from the Board asking for particulars of proceedings against H. E. Johnstone re wharf dues: — " I forward you copy of information as laid. The following is an extract from my agents letter re the case itself. ‘ You must have been disappointed about Burke v. Johnstone. I had not anticipated the result though I was alive to the point and considered it the only point against me. I thought the judge would hold that " before shipping ” implied a "loading” but he decided against me.” ’ Copy of information as laid :— " That Herbert Evelyn Johnstone of Gisborne aforesaid, within the space of six months last past (to wit) on the 4th day of December, 1883, at Gisborne, in the Colony of New Zealand, did fail to deliver to the wharfinger of the Gisborne Harbor Board before loading a true account of all goods shipped by him on board the steamship Rosina contrary to clause 2 of the By-law No. 2 of the Gisborne Harbor Board.” The Secretary said that Mr. Nolan had informed him that the by-laws were perfectly right, but that it was the defective information which lost the case, Mr. Lewis said the Board had evidently lost the case through the wrong wording of the information, Mr. Joyce thought that the Board should have looked into the matter before laying the information. It appeared to him that the shipper was not the loader. Mr. Kenny explained that this had not been the reason for the dismissal of the case. Txie point was that the information should have set forth that a loading had actually taken place. Both Mr. Nolan and his agent had followed the wording of the by-law. Tho judge had dismissed the case on the grounds that no charge had been made that the shipping had actually taken place. The information said " intended to be shipped,” and that the shipping having actually taken place was only by implication. It was what he might term an instance of " the unavoidable uncertainty of the law.” After some further remarks, Mr. Lewis said that no doubt Mr. Johnston had learnt a lesson, and that as it was most unlikely that any further trouble would arise, he " thought it best to let the matter rest, and that no further action be taken in the matter.”

Mr. Joyce moved, and Mr. Townley seconded, " That no further action be taken.”— Carried. Engineer’s Report. The Engineer reported , —" I beg to report that the repairs to the stockyard mentioned in my last report have been made. The accompanying paysheets show the total cost for labor and carting to be £1 12s. The report was adopted without comment. Payments. The following payments were then passed : C. McDeavitt, £1 55.; C. H. C. Webb, £4 12s. 6d.; Wharfinger, £O. Public Works Committee. The Secretary said that a meeting of the Public Works Committee had been called for but none of the members had attended. Silting up of the River. Mr. Townley said he had made enquiry as to the condition of the river, and had been informed that it was no worse ; in fact, that it was improving. The little rain which had fallen lately had done much good, and a fresh would restore the river to its original condition. From those reports he felt sure that it was not the new wharves whicli was causing the silting up. He had been informed by the Harbor Master and others that the river was getting much better. Mr. Moore asked if the harrow had done any good, and was answered in the negative. E xtraordinary Business. Mr. Smith had at the last meeting drawn attention to tho urgent necessity which existed for doing something to improve the river. The time would shortly arrive when the Board would be compelled to take action in the matter. His attention had been called to a plan whereby the requisite scour could be obtained. If a straight line wore drawn from Common it Co.’s store to the front of the wharf, and a row of sheet piling erected along there, he had little doubt but what it would answer the purpose, and have the effect of so deepening the river as to allow of ships and craft coming up to the wharf with facility, which would prove a great convenience. There was a great hulk of water flowing down the Wahnata River, which would flow against the sheet piling and create a groat scour on the wharf side. It was only a question of time, and this or something else must be done. This scheme would improve the foreshore, and by filling in behind the piling the wharf accommodation could bo extended at a very little cost. It was non-

sense to say that they had no money. The funds for the work could easily be borrowed. The Sinking Fund Commissionershad money to lend, and he saw nothing to prevent the Board borrowing for the purpose of this work. It would increase the value of the foreshore,

and should therefore meet with the approval or the Board, He had conversed about thia matter with Mr. Morgan, who bud stated that the work could be done at £B7 per chain, or for the whole distance £Bl4. If effective, this sum would be well laid out. The work would reach Bft. above high water. Perhaps this would scarcely be high enough; but the height could easily be increased at a small additional cost. He had but little doubt in his own mind but that the scheme would prove effective, and produce the desired effect. He had brought the matter forward, and thrown out his suggestion for tho purpose of inviting discussion. It was no good fencing the question, AS something must soon be done, and it wds useless to say they had not the money, as it would have to be obtained from somewhere:; The Marine Department had sat upon the only cheap scheme they wished to adopt, and he thought the present scheme a good one; Ho should be glad to hear members’ opinions. Mr. Kenny thought it too late to discuss such an important matter, and would suggest that the discussion be adjourned. He fully recognised the importance of the subject, but owing to the late hour would move, “That tho debate upon this subject be adjourned until next meeting.” Mr. Townley would suggest that they again apply to the Marine Department rc the pro* po«ed dyke or wing and inform the authorities that it was only a veryjtemporary measure which could be removed at any time without much trouble. He should steadily oppose the outlay of any large sums whatever upon the river, and as to borrowing the Sinking Funds he could say they would not get any. It was entirely useless to entertain this scheme which would cost £2,000 before it was finished, and then it would never pay the interest on outlay He would always steadily oppose any attempt to lay out large sums of money upon the inside harbor, and would support any scheme (or permanent outside works. He would advise the Board to be most careful in this matter. The river was now gradually improving. He had seen a time when it was far worse than at present. If they were once to begin dredging it would cost them £l,OOO a year. It was then resolved to adjourn the further discussion of the subject until tho next regularmeeting of the Board. The meeting then rose.