HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 65, 17 March 1903, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

BP..OIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Harbour Board was htld on Monday at 11.30 a.m. Present: Messrs. Oonnett, in the chair, Ward, Price, McLtan, Maxwel l , Foreman acd Dirgle. The Chairman explained that the meefing had been called to consider an application from Messrs Oidman and I Berry for an extension of time in which to erect improvements uuder the ironsind leasee. He had asked Mr Gove'.t, t»;e Board's solicitor, to attend «nd he had suggested Mr Samuel also attsndiog,and be w-s alsi present.' Mr Samuel explained the position of the leases and gave a brief history of what tud been done regarding them ; a- d t.he prtserit position, which biiefly. ata'ed fas that Messrs Oadman and' Berry ha.i agree! to ortct buildings l and plant to the value of £2OOO on the land by January last and pay a minimum royal-y of £25 quarterly from 25; h July, 1902. It was now ask<d that the time for erecting the building and phut 6hould be extended. The I rent was a nomir.al one of £1 yearly. The action of the Bjird was perftc'.ly legal as far as it had gone. The Chairman then read Mr Barry's let'er asking for an extension of time in which to erect the imp:ovtments. I Mr Berry and Mr Roy, his solicitor, ( wets bo'h present. I Mr lliytheu addressed the Board,' giving particulars of ihetff>rts made' to flmt the company, and the reason! they htd approached the Board again. He read the cable Mr B«rry had received from tbe Hon. Mr Cadmau, and said they would like the Chairman of the Board to cable the Board's decision; direct to Mr Oadman. He pointed., out tha*i Mr Oadnnn and Mr Berry bad done ah in their power to push the mit'e', so as to carry out the con-' ditions of the leas\ Mr Oadman had bean Home a big time, and a large sum of money had been spebt, and they lnd every reasonable prospect that their efforts would be rewarded with success. He felt sure the Board woul 1 extend to them the same kind consideration it had always given them in the past. He suggested an extension of time for 18 months.

In reply to a question as to the form the resolution should take, Mr' Hoy said they were prepared to pay I the tent and royalty now due. Thi Chairman moved that no steps will ba taken to reenter upon the leise until Ist Jantury, 1905, and then only on the ground that buildings and plant to the value of £2OOO have noi baen erected by that date. Io moving the motion, Mr Oonnett said he thought they wtre justified in miking the concession asked fur, and he was pleased to say that be bad r ceived a letter from Mr Newton King, who wt>s unable to be present, agr eing to the connexion being made. Tnere was no doubt Mes.rs Cadman and Berry had dono oil in their power to ge' th» works established, and he thought the Board should assist as far t>s was leieouab'e.

Mr Maxwell said ha bad hoped to see Mr McLean second the motioD, but ha had much pleasure in doing 89. It might be and thay were always grant iog concession*, but it must bt admitted that th*ro was little to be h pid for froih any one e'sa; atd they muu; r. cogn'se that Messrs Oadman and B^rry bad m ide i ve>y effort to get the business goiig. Mr McLaan biieuy suppDrted the motioo,

The motim was then put and carried unan mously. The Board then adjourned.