TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2164, 24 February 1880, Page 2

TIMARU HARBOUR BOARD.

TOWN EDITION.

A special meeting of llio above was held to-day :—Present, Messrs Archer, Barker, Turnbull, Cray, Moody, Bcswiek, Elworthy, Acton, and Evans. It was unanimously resolved on the motion of Mr Moody, seconded by Mr Beswick, that Mr Archer be re-elected Chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Archer, on tailing the chair expressed his appreciation of the honor conferred. He only wished that his past services had been of more value than they were. He thanked the members for tlic courtesy they had shown him during the past twelve months. It was resolved that a committee, consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Evans, Beswick, and Moody be appointed to receive and examine applications for the secretaryship, and to select six of the most suitable for tbc consideration of the Board. Tbc Chairman called the attention of the Board to the desirability of securing a new Board Boom, and mentioned certain oilers that had been made. Mr Elworthy moved that Messrs Maclean and Stewart be offered the sum of ii7i> per annum for the office accommodation mentioned in their memorandum of Feb. 23, the Board undertaking to innemnify them for the expense of takingdown and rebuilding the dividing wall in case it should be decided to terminate tbe tenancy at the end of twelve months, three months notice of discontinuance to be given. Mr Moody proposed an amendment that an effort should be made to secure a Board Boom near the landing service, and it was resolved eventually to inspect the neighborhood. Subsequently the original motion was carried.

Mr Moody directed attention to the necessity of providing pierage accommodation for vessels to the north of the breakwater. He stated that he had previously consulted the Board’s Engineer on this matter, and that the Engineer recommended that the work should not be commenced till the new contract had been completed for 100 feet outwards. This had been accomplished, and he believed that the driving of piles and erection of a pier alongside of the Breakwater might now be proceeded with. He considered it desirable that the accommodation for vessels should be imroved without delay as the now railway tariff threatened to cut the legs from under I’oadside places, and the Board should protect the port against this kind of competition. He therefore moved—“ That the Engineer be asked to prepare plans and furnish estimate of Cost, at next meeting, for erecting, on the north side of the breakwater, pennanent accommodation for shipping to come alongside, and to report if the same can bo erected without interfering with the contractors’ operations.”'

Mr Evans seconded the motion which was carried.

Mr Moody called the Board’s attention to the fact that His Worship the Moyer had been absent from the Board’s meetings, on six consecutive occasions. He moved that the TownCouucil be informed that the Mayor having been absent from six consecutive meetings of the Board, his position as representative of the Council at the Harbor Board has been forfeited. Mr Barker seconded the motion. Considerable discussion ensued, Mr Acton challenging the assertion that the Mayor had forfeited his right to sit, and insisting that Captain Sutter was an ex-officio member, and could sit when he thought proper. Mr Evans having remarked that he would not object to the Mayor again taking his seat, moved an amendment to the effect that the Town Council be informed that His Worship has been absent from six meetings of the Harbor Board. Mr Acton seconded the amendment, which was carried, the motion being lost. Mr Moody said that if the Mayor took his seat he should protest against it.

It was finally resolved on the motion of Air Elworthy, that legal opinion be taken as to whether the Mayor, by his absence, has forfeited his right to sit or otherwise. The Board then adjourned.