GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 237, 17 September 1884, Page 2

GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD.

An ordinary meeting of the Board was held last evening. Present :— Captain Porter (in the chair), Messrs. Townley, Lewis, Wilson, Joyce, Graham, Kenny, Hepburn, Smith and Brown. The minutes of last ordinary and a special meeting were read and confirmed. Outward correspondence was read and approved of. The inward comprised a letter from Mr. M. Davis, ferryman, asking the Council to take over the weighbndge when they removed the ferry, as it would be too far away for him to attend punctually to it. From the Marine Department stating that it was not necessary for the department to take any action in the matter of the Board’s agreement with Common, Shelton & Co. The Chairman forwarded a cony of the revised Harbor Bill, which will come on for its second reading to-morrow. From manage ■ Waikato Coal Company complaining of the state of the river, and asking that steps be taken to remedy the same.—Received.

Referring to the Common - Shelton agreement the Chairman said ho had taken the agreement to Wellington, and the Marine Department had informed him that as there was no provision required for new erections no assent from the Governor-in-Council was

necessary. Mr. Jovce asked if the license had been sent to Wellington. His Worship replied that it had, and had also been returned. Mr. Joyce asked by what authority it had been arranged. It was explained that the matter had been left in the hands of a committee. Mr. Joyce did not think the committee had power to complete an arrangement. He asked that the agreement be read. The Chairman complied with the request. Mr. Joyce asked if the buildings might be removed by Common, Shelton & Co. The Chairman said it was provided for in the Act. He would suggest that the matter be dropped. The agreement was all in favor of the Board. The Clerk was instructed to inform Mr. Houghton that the matter complained of was under consideration of the Board. Mr. Davis’ letter was referred to the Council, the weighbridge being under their jurisdiction. Engineer’s Report. Shipping Cattle.— Complaints have been made about the inconvenience of the cattle race, and it is suggested that the upper part of the boarding on the wharf side should be ent away to enaole men to get at cattle in the race more easily. I think this would be an improvement. The necessary work could be done by a man in a day. It is also complained that fiom want of depth vessels find it difficult to get near the end of the race. To obviate the loss of time caused by this a moveable box (on wheels) might be used, by which cattle might be taken to any pa* t of the whaif and there shipped. Such a box could be made for say £l2. R. J. Reynolds.

The Chairman after reading the revised Bill, said it was a question whether they should allow the Bill to be passed without the endowment.-, provided it was found impossible to get it through in its present shape.

Mr. Townley would prefer relinquishing the endowments to letting the Bill fail altogether. Mr. Joyce thought it useless to let the Bill be passed without the endowments. The Chairman said there was great opposition to passing of Harbor Bills at all. If they got the Bill passed it gave them power to borrow £200,000 if they thought it advisable, and also reconstruct the Board. Mr. A. Graham would be in favor, if the endowments were refused, that the Bill should be withdrawn. Passing the Bill without endowments would very likely hamper them in the future, as in the event of its failure they would probably have to devise some other schemes, and the Harbor Bill would stand in the way.

The Chairman said Sir George Grey told him the Bill would go through with the endowments, and Mr. Ormond had promised to vote for it.

Mr. Lewis proposed “ That a conference meeting be called for to-morrow night, at 7 o’clock, to discuss the question.” Mr. Brown seconded. Carried. Payments.

Payments were made as follows:—Wharfinger’s salary, £6 ; petty cash, £5.

The Clerk was authorized to apply to Common, Shelton & Co. for payment of sums incurred in preparation of lease, £24 ss. 2d. Mr. Kenny suggested that the lease be retained until the sum was paid. Extraordinary Business. The Clerk drew attention to a vacancy in the Public Works Committee, caused through the retirement of Mr. Tutchen.

Mr. Wilson was elected to fill the vacancy. This concluded the business.