NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 104, 18 May 1901, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD.

The Harbour Bo ml m*t on Frday. Present: Messw. Maxwell (Chairnr.n), Connect, McLean, ClilV, Ward, Sure-, Hignetk, and It life.

Tbe Westport Harbour Board wrote asking an expression of opiaion on n resolution passed by that body in favour of an amoodme' t in the IJarbiur Board Act in the diieciion of allowing some rsrounrra'i'n to re paid to Chiirm'n of I'art-our Boat do.

The Chairm-n said that speikitg ii. his offici»l CBpaci'y ha had often thought the Cha'rman eh'uld b>? paid, but having car-fuly con-iderd ihe whole bearings of th« question he had come to the crclufioa that pet son* holding such office shou'd no* be paid, and that it would be bet'er for the welfare of the country that such services should be given gratuitously. Mr. Hignctt quite agreed with the Chairman and had framed a resolution in the s'Hne direction. Hu quite recognised the large dfmand on th<Ohairmpn's time entailed by his position, but; wes averse to having an amendment in the Act towards making t he office a paid oiie as he conidepd the position sh' uUI re me of honour.

Mr. Swten rose to se'ond the mo'ion bat gave way to the Cbaitman who was dr fire us that it should bi record td that tho Chairman had seconded the motion.

Mr. Watd said there w;>s ano'her side of the question atd that vrf>s the present system prevented B iards from getting the b( mm pnd as ;i mutter of principle no man ought to bo nsk. d to give bin tiuio without re inuiifratioD.

I Mr. Snrtßu said public money w«s required for more useful purposes than paying Chairmen. Mr. Conuott was «'ronply in favour of the present sysUm which ho con sidcred attiacted the host m. n.

The Hail way General Mnnngerwrot with reference to i ho interview bc<twei n tie Minis'er, tho Chairman ard Mr. Coonett, stating that the conditions f r further quarrying had been arrangei as follows : - The Department to working high faceaboveprescutquiny; »11 stone fiom lower toathiin face bjtwe.n 5 and 15 toos to be given to the JBoird ; all stoßes over 15 torts to to 'split if necessary, but if possible left on floor of quarry, tho Depiitment to he allowed to take s'one ftom lower western face, leaving largest stones, the flo"! 1 in the qnany to bo about 3f' above high water mark ; the ro'tcn store lump on north side to be renuvec! by Department if desired ; Department 'o open up new fice at low love! at no th-east cormrof old quarry aud to take as much as po-sib'e of it* require meufcs fxvm thre, ar.d to have siding for uss of Board ; all ballast lequireo for station yard tubi tukeu from new north-oast fuo •, but if iirst-cl-'ss stoi e is foaud there tho Board (o have tho right of having it left for its own use ; sullicior.it broken metal fo: the approach road to. tho goods-shed may bo taken Iroia upper quarry if nece.bary. The

Department did not exp<ct to require more than 6000 to 9000 cubic yards, about 2-sth of which would have to be hrge Ptono from 2 to 5 tons. The Minister was unable to make any premise as to supplying the Board with stina equivalent to the excess of 10,000 yards taken. It was considered tlut the levelling of the Mount Klict reserves, the opining und charing up of th« new quarry fuas und provision of nio'inga thereto were a fair equivalent of value of stone required. As it seemed the Board considered the Department were taking stone in excess of the amount specified, the Department wishing to deal fairly, su6h Ftone as was quarried for the Board during the works now in pi ogress, would b» quarried free of chaage. The Chairman said that practically everything ask.d for had been agreed to.

Mr, Oonnett said there was one point that had not been settled and that was clearing the end of Ariki-street. Hon. Mr. Ward had agreed that this should br» don' 4 . He mentioned the matter u tho' o was an impression that the Government would not remove the earth because the Council would not let them have a ssction. This whs not the case, mid he understood that the Chairman had stopp'd the removal of that earth. He thought the least' the Government cuild do was to carry out their promise. Mr. Ward considered the Government should remove the earth. The Borough Council bad never been atked by the Government for permiesion to ivmo?e tl-e earth in question. The Chairman pointed out that as this was not a Harbour Board street, it was no concern of the Board, who bad done their part in street formation and the Borough should also do their (•hare.

Tho Board wanted as much M posgible of their o-vn sites ckare'. The Department h<-d named 40,000 yards brlhe amount to be removed by way of i quivalent for stone givfu. As tbe eastern side contained only 30,000 yards the remaining 4,000 should be taken from the westi rn side of Egmont-stroet. He urged that immediately there was a sign of the Railway removing the line hef> re the 40,000 yards wastiken, a bo seut to the Department protest hip against the Hue being taken up until the condition was fulfilled. Mr. Connett advocated that the Depu tment should be written to at owe, and that the matter should not be kept under discussion until too late for ccMon.

Mr. Cliir thought that by taking such a course it would be assuming that the Government did not intend to carry out its arrangement, and he did not consider the Board wae justified in such an assumption

It was understood that the matter should be left in the Chairman's hands to deal witb.

The Foreman reported that the diver had examined the copper-work on all the piles, and found it in good condition. There had been tipped ortr the wall during the month 138 tons of large stonec.

The Harbour Master reported that during the month 36 steamers had bren Ivrthrd at the whatf of an aggregate of 30,916 tons. Imports (including coal) were 2860 (one,and exports 1167 tons. Tha dredge had removed 8820 cubio vards of s r.d fcr 16 days'work. A large quantity of sand had made up in the bay between the rubUe groin and tho bri akwater, but on'y a plight drift wijs aronnd the end of the breakwater, the dredge boing vceW ahead of thes'nd drif'.

The Merino Department wrote inquiring the nmount r*is'd fr'tn rates in Iho i-ix wsids of tlio harbour district, i'ml asking for informal ion as to boundaries. The secretary sfoted tie information had been supplied. A pi'in'od s'atement was received from the Engineer in answer to tbe strictures made relative to tbe land pump. Mr. Sirtcn moved that tbe communication be ref-rrcd bark to Mr. M r.linn'.

Some discussion took place, And eventua ly further consideiation of tbe matter held over. The School Commission* rs wrote drawi'g attention to the eiosion taking pUce f>t one of the Education reserves b'lwoen the Huatnkiand H*-nui riveis, and pointing out that tbe responsibility rested with th» Board for albwing the removal ef s ones. If prompt steps were net ttken to stop this damage further land would be washed away. The Secretary stif ed thst he believed the people complained of weie tak'ng stone without permit. T he Chhiiman moved that no further prrmi's he granted to remove stone sod sh ; ng'e ani that rtm/'vol of sime be stoppa^. He said the Board wa« not justified in permitting this waste to go on, atd he was not sure tbe Board not legally liable for damage done. M< recver, the sys-tf-m was open to great abuse as many pe: soiib removed stone without a permit', and othrr« did not p>y fur a tithe ol stone removed under permits.

Mr. Efigmtt Eocoudr-d the mo'ion. Mr. Sarton concurred as to the waste going on, and eave his views on Hio mitti.r. The Boaid had stoppod the i atural run rf the sand a'ong the co-st and lie did nit think I he removal of a few loads of shingle matteied much in (■< mpiris in with the loss of smd. Mi', Cliff thoiuht the r»s"lut>on wou'd, if passed, bo a hardship to the public in preventing supplies of bhingle being ob«a : iied, Ue would support the moti >n if shingle was omitted. Mr. Ward aVo obj'cted to sninge being irc'udcd in the motion. Gravel wi.s found nt lulf-'ido, nevpr higher up. To ft p the removal of shingle would hi dotiiinoi t to jlio building trade. Mr. Connots aleo protested Again't shiry 1 © leing included in the motion.

M>. attempted to speak aga ; n but the Chairman refused to permit him to do so.

Mi. (lii!'moved as an amendment Is'.m tUi nvrds "and tlungle" te I'iiii'ti'd.

T;-i Chairman pointed out that in o.'iicr toi':le.;tu:d!y stop the removal of st-ue _i* vas nccessaty to mako it illeg;'l for carte to go on the bon'b toreu ovoarythiig in iho nature i.S st.-'nes.

Mr Par on, in Reeondirgthe airendinen 1 -, tn k »!„> opportunity of completing tin lemarks ho »as making when 6toppetf \y the Chairman,

Mr. Ward also spoke to the amend contending there would be n i Jkriy is making rules to s'op th of s'one. Mr. Connect pointed out that a wa; of the difficulty would be to appoin on commission to watch th taken from the beach. Tiie amendment was curried by 5 t acd the motion as altered; so as t stone being taken from th was carried. The Valuation Depart me at in re mg to the Secretary's communica aotifi d therf> was no chance o amended valuation being complete! Rome t ; uie. Tha Postil Department wro*« asking tha Baard »a< willing to offer s c ■iiocs 43, 44, 45, at £3O p*r f- ot arc the evdbt of the B «ud doing s>, th< of the st» far a port offir< '<! be gore ioto. A further letti r:a.i acknowledging receipt oi ■affr at £3O. Tae Ccairman reminded the Board Hpf wh.tt taken place especially in re'ato exchange of land—preferably prison bite. H Sanction was given to the applicaHtion uf Mr. R. 0. Hughes for permisHsion to transfer eectioa 25, Mount ■Eliot Reserve from himself to T. HO. Kclsey, and from the latter to E. ■O'Driscoll. Mr. Ward called for a Hdi vision in which he alone voted with Htfae Noe?. H Tue Railway Department applied ■for further alterat'ons on the wharf. H The Chairman pointed out tha l ; the ■ new whaif extension was completed, H and that the work had been done t» Hsuit the Department. As they now I wished au al'eration he considered tbey ■ should piy the cost. He moved that I the Department be informed that any I fuither altera ions required by- tbem ■ must be carried out at the GovernB orient's expanse. I. T. Lucas wrotw offering to distribute some of the Board's, pamphlets at Home. On the motion of Mr. Cliff, seconded by Mr. Sirten, it was decided that six copies be sent to applicant. The Taranaki County Council wrote expressing its willingness to take over the roid to the breakwater on condition that the Board would grant the Council 5000 yards of stone. Mr. Connect slated tbst this was the annunt agreed on at the conference with Mr. Duncan when the Minister agreed to give £IOO towards the exuse of putting the road in order. It was time the matter was settled and if the Arrangements come to were not; earned out, he would wash bis ban s of .th? whole concern. He moved the ftppli ition be acceded to. Mr. Sarten seconded the motion [ M r McLean profc. st- d against giving the Council any more stone than would suffice to put the road in order. He did not Fee why the Board should give tha C mncil £125 for the work. Mr. Ward said he should va'e agaicst giviegsuch an excessive amount as 5000 yards. The Chairman while considering that Mr. Connett was entitled to tho tbatiks of the Board for the trouMe he nd taken, considered that the Bosrd should adhere to its resolution to grant only sufficient for the work. Mr. Raize thought that if the 5000 yards were taken at once and the matter done with be would favour the .grant.

Mr. C'oonett, ia reply, pointed out H the i.i Soulti s that had b en < ncoui- 2i teivd and overcome in coming to an £ a r r yi.erneut, nni he was quite sure the D.'pailm.Tit wculdbe only too pleased n if ILe 80-ii-d threw the matter ove~, P wh-ivby they woald save £IOO. The J responsibility res'el with the Bard. Ho bad tiied his best to got the road b put in order and could do no more. K On a show of hands the voting was equal r.nd the Chairman gave tis casting vote against the motion. » A. G :orge wrote claiming a royalty 2 on stone taken from Moturoa across his lind. It was decided that the matter was not one which affected the *" Council. The Chairman add be wished, on *' behalf of the Harbour Master, to have * simples of water taken from the lagoon j, and gent to the Government Analyst. S It was decided that th's should 1m done, tbe samples to be taken under the Euperiniendenca of the Union Company's agent, as th*t company's officials stated the water was not fit for drink- [ ing, aud the vessels refused to take it. It was also decided that the reservoir 1 be cleaned out. Authority was given fur the supply \ of some chairs, a table, and a bunk for the new offices of the Harbour Mater. 1 Tie Harbour Master apt Hid for « leave of absence t> go to Auckland from Saturday to Wednesday during ) the Royal visit.— Gianted. 1 The Chairman suggested that as the next meeting of the Board would fall \ during the Royal visit to Welling'on, ] aud that ha would, as a volunteer, be < on duty there, it wou'd be as well to i iix a dat 9 for the meeting that would liot cl.tob. He moved that tho nexk mo'ting be on Juno 7th.—Carri d. M:\ Ward advocated the employees Lm .og leave of absence to enable them '.j advantage of the cbe>p trips. M:. S»rtea moved tint all tbt i:;.ud's employers b° g-anted a week's h.i-day on half pay at the time of the Itoyal visit. The Chaiiunn seconded the motion, which .vas carried. The contractor for the wharf exfcf nsioi: oflercd certain timber and nnterial thu": was over on the contract, and i 1 w;ts decided to take over the same at the prices stated in tbe offer, provided it *.vi's found t'at these pric-s were i jur.il cot to be excessive. ■ it this point Mr. Hignett left the licui'd room for a shoit while and on iii-: ic.'urn locked thedoor and took the l;.;y out.] Mr. Hignett asked the Chairman to ■ :a up tho debate on his motion relative 'o tbo appointment of Government !.! : !.-os where it left off when it i.i ..'i;' ..r last meeting for want of a q;; . .-.. He pointed out that rule 40 pi.;v...'. a for this being done. T - ■: iJiiairmnn ruh-d ti at Mr. Hig:ictt ' i= correct in his contention, and . v ~: .; d'scns*ion ensued. "ill. Ciiff pointed out ibat t'e ordinu i, ii.i-inw, such as passing accountcii /ii' '"• gone on with, The ruled that the m; tion roul i row be put. Mr. Conr.ett protested, and pointed OU3 that in the ordinary way the accounts had been taken before notices

of motion. He moved that this course be followr-d. Mr. Paiten second d. Iho accounts with two ex eptb: s weie passid.

At this stage it was discovered that the do r was locked aud Mr. Connt-t pointed out that the p:oceedings of the Board were illegal : i uce the door bad ib-e.i fastered. Givat lai'gbter anri confusion pr vail.d for some while, several in, mbers loudly protesting sarins'; the proceedings. Eventually another key was found in the office atd the dojr was opened frcm the outside. Mr. Connett then re'ened to Mr. Higneti's not : ce of motion. He w s absent fro n the 'as 1 mem?, ard wished to say afe v wo.Js on it. It was nit for the members o'~ tlu Bo rd

'o trke action ou the pppo ntme; t of I nomii. es, and it «oul' le ptesuinptious fir then to dica'e 'o the Govertiuaout what course it should puisue. The notice o? motion was read at thiss'uge, an! Mr. <Ynnetn was ron-tiru-'ng lis rem.iks .vhon the Chairman said he could not allow him to speik agiin.

Mr. Connett said he was nt going to be jumped upon. II was' i of, present when the mat r came up b'fore, and he c nsider d he had evo y right to speik now that th" mo'icn h id been re d. Tne Chairman was trying to get the thing rushed through, and he would never consent to it.

M-. Hign.tt: Then yu Ftaud sel fconvictod of talking of what ye-u know nothing about.

Mr. Coinett : I won't be jumped upon by you, cr any others of your paity.

The Chairman : You have spoken Mr. Connett, and I cannot allow you to speak agiiu.

Mr. Cliff: I think you are wrong in your ruling, Mr. Chairman

The Chairman: I cannot allow you to speak, Mr. Cliff. I will now put the motion. Tho ein favour

At this s'agfl Messrs. Sarten and Ward rose ti th<ir fee"-, and both said thiy had not ye'> spoken on the motir n. Mr. Sitter said he with'd to speak on it, and to move en amendmr nt.

Th p 8- members continued speikiDg, and the Chairman, rising from his chair, proceeded to put the resolution : "Those in favour those against tho moti -n is c irrh d." No show of hands or division was tiken. Then turning to Mr. Saiten, wfco was, still ctndemi ir g Mr. Maxell's action?, the Chairman Siid ho would leave the chair if Mr. Sarten dirt not, d sV, from speaking, and al'o v tha Board's busin<ss to go oa. Mr. Sat ten : We'l then leave the chiir; I rfon't care. It will be the best thing you t-ver did for the Board. Why did you bring the m >tter forward ? But by this time Mr. M-ixwtll had left the chtir, and the meeting broke up in smie confusion, Mr. Saiten continuing 'o address the Cluiiman while the latter wes in the next ro^m.