HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 271, 16 November 1901, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

THEHarbw Board met on Fiiday. Present: Messrs. Maxwell (chairman), Coinett, McLean, King, Price, Ward, Sarten, and Hignett. Routine correspondence was read and dealt with, Mr. Marchant wrote in reference to the windmill. Messrs. Reid and Gray intended to supply a new mill at their | own cost.

The Harbourmaster reported that in accordance with direction* from Mr. Marchant the present mill was being dismantled. —The matter was left in the Engineer's hands. The receipts from the land fund for the past three quarters were reported to be £4lll. This was £1053 less than for the corresponding period of 1900.

The Freezing Works Company wrote in reference to a platform on the wharf for use while loading butter into steamers. —The matter is being attended to.

In response to the Foreman's application, the Board resolvad to pay half his expenses in coming to New Plymouth hurriedly to take charge of the works.

The usual supplies for the month were authorised. The Chairman said the Foreman was sorting things up at the harbour, and there would probably be some more to3la required, while Fome of the plant required and was receiviug an overhaul. There was a Tangye pump in the store, which was new and had never been used. If this were cleaned up it would be worth £4O.

The Harbourmaster reported as follows:—Daring October 38 steamers and two sailing vessels berthed at the wharf, tho icgregats tannnga amounting to 31,360 tons. Imports were 4122 tons and exports 1071 tons. Moderate weather and seas had bean experienced. The dredge worked 17 day, making 160 trips and removing 9600 cubic yards of sand. The Foreman reported that during the past month the Harbourmaster's office has been shifted back from the line; two piles have been prepared for driving, which will be done as soon as the crane is repaired, and various othor nutters attended to preparatory to driving. Gratings had been laid on the wharf to keep butter boxes clear of the rails. A uumber of piles have bem coppered. A new suction pipe and casting bave been put in place on the dredge. The windmill had turned out a complete failure, and was to be replaced. Repairß had been done to a cottage, and he had had the Board's plant generally cleaned up. Accounts were passed for payment. Mr, Bell's report on Mr. Marchant's harbour improvement scheme was read. The report was * ordered to be printed, and the Board expressed satisfaction that it confirmed Mr Marchant's recommendations previously : submitted.

Mr King moved, and Mr McLean seconded, that a committee consisting of Messrs Hignett, Ward, Connett, King, and the Chairman be appointed to report at next meeting on what is best to be done in connection with 'the dredging question.—Carried. It was resolvud io invite tenders for purchase of old rails at the harbour works.

Mr Ward moved in accordance with notice given, that the • Board's resolution of 19th October, 1900, setting up a Works Committee be rescinded, and that a. new committee be appointed with additional powers. He thought the committee as at preßent constituted had not sufficient powers, and gave instances in support of this contention. The chairman lived a long way off, and the committee should bave power to attend to businesss at once in his absence, so that the working of the port would not be retarded. Mr Sarten seconded.

The Chairman thought that in a Board like this a Works Committee would be useless. The business went on much more smoothly at present than it would under a committee. He as chairman was careful never to undertake new business without consulting the Board, and a committee could not do so either. There would be a divided authority with a committee, which would lead to trouble.

Mr.. King agreed with a good deal of what the Chairman had said, but ho thought a committee could consult on any business that might ari<e suddenly. Ho would vote for the motion. Mr Connett said that if there had been a Works Committee tbe present state of things at the harbour would not have existed. Ho also referred to the removal of earth on the harbour reserve. He had warned the Board that if it did not look out the earth would not be removed, and the Chairman had pooh-poohed him. Mr Price supported the motion, and Mr Hignett opposed the election of a Works Committee.

Mr McLean would oppose a committes if it would mean interference

with the Board's officers. Mr Sartec supported the proposition, and Mr Ward having replied, the motion was put and carried on division by 5 to 3, Messrs McLean, Hignett, and to Chairman veiing with the Noe . Mr Price moved that Messrs King, Oonne t, Ward, and the mover be a ! Works Committee, three to form a quorum. Seconded by Mr Sarten, and carried. Mr Hooker waited orj the Board and a<k-jd permission to take a copy of Mr Napier Ball's report and plains of | harbour improvements, for publication. —Granted. Mr Ward moved for a return of expenses of members during the past twelve months. In reply to Mr Sarten, the secretary said the amounts received from shipping for water during the pist six months was £35 15s 6d, and for the previous six months £54 7s. The falling-off was attributed to a report that the water was bid. A resolution was passed authorising the harbourmaster to construct a filter at the Board's reservoir. The Board then adjourned, after dis oussion on minor masters, at 4.15 p.m, ii I f T 1 )