HARBOUR BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 209, 19 September 1903, Page 2

HARBOUR BOARD.

The Board met on Friday. Present: Messrs Oonnett (chairman), King, McLem, Dingle, Price, Ward, Hornby, foreman and Maxwell. The Ohairtnan referred to a letter written by Mr Maxwell to the Press, in which it was stated that he (Mr Oocnett) had saved and retained his position as Chairman by his own casting vote. This was not so, as he had distinctly asked the Board whether or uot he she should r> main in the chair when Mr Maxwell's want of confidence motion was to be put, and that Mr Maxwell's was one of the most emphatic voices in bidding him to remain. Under the cirumnstances he con■lidered that Mr Maxwell should withdraw the statement, Mr Maxwell declined to take the aourse urged by the Chairman, as he considered the statement in his letter was quite justified.

After some further remarks the matter dropped. The Railway department wrote declining the Bsard's ofl'er < f stone on iccount of conditions imposed, as the ■lepaatment could ' not undertake to return stone from Mount Egmont quarry within two years.—Recived. W. Hearn applied for the position of diver.—Rofmed to Chairman with power to act. Shanks and Componv wrote stating 'hey still held the Board liable for the cost of returned cylinders now lying at he docks in Londan.—Referred to Board's solicitors.

The Shipm-iaters' Association wrote for particulars as to the stranding of the Takttpum.— The Secretary stated fhis had been supplied. The Boird adjourned for luncheon, The Board resumed at 1.50 In the abseLca of the Chairman Mr King was voted to the chair. An application from Mr H. F. Russell for tin lease of a section was considered. Mr Ward moved that the section be let at an upset cf -£'2 per fjot, and the lessee be allowed Is per yard for the removal of the earth on the section. Mr Oocnett came in and took the chair. The Chairman advocated setting up a committee to fix rents, and let the whole of the sections. Mr Foreman seconded, Mr Ward urged that, letting the sections in question would improve the position cf the others. Mr King took the sime view, but the upset was too low, there were two front.'ges.

Some disunion ensued as to tha p.ica for removal of eartb, and 9d was suggested, but eventually 110 alteration was made. > A letter was read from Messrs Govett acd Qailliam on behalf of Mr Fairs, applying for lease for baring. A letter was atao read fiom. Mr D. Berry on tbe sime subject ielative to nhe rights of Sir A. .T. (Jadman.

Some discussion ensued as to whether the Board hid not already disposed of tbe tenure, and eventuilly tbe matter was referred to a committee to consist of the Chairman Messrs King and Ward to rrport upon.

It was dtcided to call for tenders in the usual way for supply cf stores, etc. The Foreman reported on work done at the wharf. The Inspector of Machinery had visited'the woik and ordered certain matters to be attended to.— Received.

A list of stores required was submitted and authorised to be obtained,

The Works Committee reported having accepted the tender of J. Colesby for carting gravel from the beach to the Board's yards at Is 9d. The Bonndaries Committee reported that in view ef possible legislation the Board be asked to extend the time for reporting on the matter for thiee month?.

The Chairman s»id that if eventually the district was g separated into nine wards it would be ewier to divide it in that way than into six. The report was adopted.

A formal resolution was passed confirming the resolution as to transfer of a lease by Mr Freeman of part of the Mount Elliot Reserve.

Accounts amouuting to £437 19a lid were passed. Mr Maxwell moved, That the New Plymouth Harbour Bosrd Empowering Bill now before the Hou>e be amended so as to provide that the following areas be struck out of the voting area: (1) The whole of tbe area now compiised in the Hawera Ward ; (2) the whole of the araa comprised in that pirfc of South Taranaki Ward, which is southeastward of the Kahui-road ; (3) the whole of the area included in the counts aof Clifton and Stratford, And the remaining portion of the present rating area be the racing area over which the rats to secure the £16,000 loan be authorised, but that it shall be a differential rate proportioned —as throe over an area abou*, but not exceeding, a ten-mile radius from the breakwater; as two over an ar«-a included in a further ten-mile radius; as one over the balance. But in no case are the areas or part of areas above providrd as excluded to be included in any rating zone.

Tha Chairman ruled that Mr Maxwell must give seven clear days notice. Mr Maxwell accepted the ruling which he admitted was correct according to the bye-laws, but no!; according to custom. He contended, however, that it was not necessary tc give notice of motion as the matter was not new.

Mr King, rising to a point of order, contended the proposed motion was antagonistic to a resolution already passed. Mr Maxwell contended that tha motion was merely a qmlifying one and not a rescinding motion. It was nob even extraordinary business. Mr Dingle considered the chairman's ruling was final. Mr Maxwell demanded a vote of the Board on the question. The whole business was ex raordinary, the mo-.t extraordinary part cf it being the attempt of the promoters to rush tho j Bill on; | I In reply to Mr King, Mr Mixwell; said it had been his custom to abide by j i the bye-ltws and t .ke a clear majority ' [votu. It hid n6t been his custom I I when chairman to have an unanimous, 'vote to allow a mo.ion to be brought forward. Mr. King said he accepted the statement, thoucn he doubted it. Ths Board divided nn the question j of allowing tho motion to be brought j on, whan tha motion was rejecSed by 5 to 4, Messrs Dingle, McLein, Max ■ j well and Hornby voting with the ayes.! The Board rose. I