HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 54, 17 March 1900, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

The Harbour Board met on Friday. Present: Messrs. Maxwell (chairman), Uonnett, McL?afi, King, Cliff, Sarten, and Hignett.

The Harbourmaster reported that during last month 32 steamers were berthed at the wharf, .of an aggregate I register tonnage amounting to 13,516 tons. Imports, 1736 ; exports, 1452 ; total, 3188 tons. The dredge had worked 15 days and removed 20,400 cubic feet of sand. For several days the dredge was laid up for overhauling engines and hull, and the bottom was scraped, cleaned, and painted. The Foreman reported that the staff had been engaged mostly on the new pump plant, and that the iron stays were ready for coupling up the pipes. M. Jones wrote with reference to his tenancy of Mount Eliot Reserve, requesting either that the rent after the end of current month be reduced from 10s per month to Is 6d, or that a proper fence be put up, as he had lately lost a horse valued at £lO through falling over the cliff. After some discussion it was decided that the Board make ho change in present arrangements.

Mr, Marchant reported the result of bis enquiries in Dunedin, made by direction of the Chairman, as to the 'cost of a water-meter for checking the quantity supplied to the ships, - The price of a 2in, pipe would be £ll, and for a 3in. pipe £l6. On the motion of the Chairman it,was decided that a meter be obtained, but that the purchase be held over'till the Engineer comes to New Plymouth, so that if a suitable meter could be obtained at a lower price the cheaper article could be bought, It was also decided that Mr. Marchant be asked to advise the Board as to the best means of utilising the fresh water at the harbour,

Mr. J. Ballringer's resignation as a member and Treasurer of the Board was read. The Secretary. stated he had communicated this resignation to che Government, but no xeply had come to hand. On the motion of Mr, SarteD, seconded by Mr. King, it was resolved that Mr. Connetfc be appointed Treasurer. The Bank of New Zealand acknowledged cheque for £5077 lis 81 for {interest and charges due id London on the Board's bonds.

The Board went into Committee to open tenders for wharf extension. On resuming, it was resolved that G. J. Newman's tender of £2400 be accepted, subject' to the approval of thu Engineer. Accounts amounting to £475 lis Id were passed for payment. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce,consisting of Messrs.George, Newman, and Webster, waited on the Board to enquire on what terms sections 14, 15, 18, 19 and 20 of the Mt. Eliot Reserve could be obtained in th<: event of the Government being willing' to remove the Postal and Customs Department to that spot, Mr. Georgf fully explained the views and wishes of the Chamber, who were voicing the feeling entertained by the town generally on tha matter. . The Chairman, in reply, stntod that the Board were willing to facilitate th> carrying out of the proposal advocated iy the Oaam'oer on the distinct understanding thit the Board would not part with possession of any put of tli> property except by way of lease at a cental to be fixed.

Mr. Samuel, th<i Board's solicitor, was present and advised as to the best way of arranging the matter so as to be in accordance with the Act.

After the deputation had withdrawn "he Board discussed the matter and Hventiully resolved: Tbat the Oham-

ler of Oommerce b9 informed that the

Board is prepared to put up the sections in question to public auction at an up-jet rental of £75 par annum, on condition that a Post Office and other necessary buildings be erected at i value to be fixed; the lease to be for 21 year?, with right of renewal on usual terms.

The Chairman moved that the night dredging be discjntiuuad. -Mr. Cliff '.oneidared that it was uuwisa to take that cours-i until the new suidpump was at work, and mov-d an amendmeD* icoordingly.—After consid-rable din cusai ii', the amendmant was Its'; ant. the motion carried.

The Secretary was i istructod to file in the office a copy of all [1 tn*=, specifications, etc., coonec od with all works and machinery at tha Harbour, The Engineer is to be asked to inspect the dredge sandpump and repcrt as to what duplicate parts are necessjry, Afcer reading a t letter from the Harbourmaster, relative to a question raised at the last meeting of the Boaid as to payment to one of the employee who had not worked-full time, a totumittee, consisting of the Ohairman, Messrs. King, Connett, Cliff, and Hignett was, on the motion of Mr. Sirten, 'appointed to enquire into and deal with the matter.

Supplies were ordered, and other routine business transacted, and the Board rose,