Harbour Board.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7745, 22 February 1905, Page 2

Harbour Board.

The Board met on Tuesday. Present—Messrs Connett, King, McLean, Thomson, Price, Ward, Hornby, J. Mine jr., and E. Maxwell. —Election of Chairman.— The returning officer having announced the result of the recent election, and called for nominations for the ofllec of chairman, Mr Hornby proposed, and Mr Price seconded, that Mr Connett lij the chairman for the ensuing year.—The motion was carried unanimously. I Mr Connett, on taking the chair, thanked the members for the rontidenee reposed in him, and alluded to the fact that he had been a member of Hie Board for twenty years.

—Treasurer.— Mr Newton King was unanimously appointed treasurer. —Works Committee.— A Works Committee, consisting of Messrs Connett, King, and Price was appointed—the members being the same as last year. —An Elector's Complaint.— A letter was read from Mr Fryday asking why polling booths were not provided by the returning ollicer at several places named by hinu and jeuumevating a number of 1 other points in connection with the recent election that he deemed unsatisfactory, lie also stated " without fear of contradiction " that a large proportion of the ratepayers were disfranchised.—The letter was referred to the returning ollicer to answer. Mr Thomson said there were complaints that the dale of election was not known to some of the electors, owing to there being no advertisement of it in the Ellham Argus. T. P. Lister applied for leave to erect a tent for the sale of cordials, etc., on 23rd inst.—Consent given, 'subject to Captain Hood approving Itne locality for the tent.

Captain Hood reported that the Takapuna had collided with the N.E. corner of the wharf, doing extensive damage thereto.—The chairman said the cost of repairs was estimated at £l2O.

'>. —Stores.— Authority was given for procuring requisite stores as per list submit ted. The chairman suggested obtaining a further supply of cement from the present, contractor on same terms as last order.—After hearing the engineer's remarks on the subject, it was decided to authorise the chairman to obtain 500 casks, as suggested by him. —Engineer's Report.— Mr F. W. Merchant, the Board's ; consulting engineer, reported as follows : I K.itson Light.— I The trial lamp erected at the wharf by the Wellington syndicate gave a very good light, but the position was very exposed, causing trouble. He could not advise tne Board to adopt the system. The expense for the use of the lamp was £l2 10s. —New Crane.— After a detailed examination he found that the difficulties experienced . were due to incorrect setting of tho I slide valves, and a few other points. The crane now worked easily, and ho did not anticipate further trouble. i He had given instructions for certain details to be amended, but he saw no job.itc;ion io passing £SOO on acIcount of 'the. nvachine,, plus the contractor's deposit, provided the Board did not ntend to claim for overtime, ll'e could not. give a certificate of final completion, as the friction gear for pjiltklriving could never be made jto work satisfactorily. He therefore ! advised the Board to obtain £6O on account of the specification not Inning been complied with. The Board ; should' also charge the contractor ,the expenses incurred in putting the machine In order. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Marchant explained that Mie Kitson light apparatus wus too complicated. | With regard to the new crane. Mr Marchaint stated that the Board could retain £197, or could withhold j£o(i, allowing Messrs Sparrow to complete the crane according to specification. He fully detailed the steps taken by him for testing the crane at ;I)unediii. Had ho known that the I crane had been despatched in the stato it was found to be he would have advised the Board to have nothing to do with it. However, now that alterations had been made the crane was a serviceable one, though necessitating tlu; use of trigger gear when driving piles. He could 6nly give a conditional certificate until the friction clutch was put in. I On the Chairman's motion the resolution passod at the previous meeting relative to the crane was rescinded.

! 'twas adopted to adopt Mr Marohant s report, the question of overtime -being left over for 'the present. Bo^ aS f. dCCi Cd to oiTer the Wait <»'a .Board the use of the •'monkey" applmd for at £l per month until required by the Board. —Accounts.— Accounts amounting to £2021 8s <d were passed for payment. —Coatt Supply.— Mr (J. 11. Stubbs wrote relative to the supply of coal under his contract. The matter was considered in committee. On resuming it was decided to leave the matter with thb Chair-, man and Mr Hine to deaul with. —J ion-sand Lease.— Mr 1). llerry waited on the Hoard in support of his application for u n extension of two years for the erection of plant in connection with the iron-sand project;. He pointed out inat if tho lease were cancelled the Board would lose £IOO a year rent, and that there were no applicants for a lease of the beach. Ho stated that there was every indication that they were nearing the result of their labours Up to date they had spent about £12,000, but half of this wis reproductive. Their procedure at Home had Ix'en changed, „„d they insisted on a deposit -being paid so ?nT? n I "TT n nt' t advo » f »rers coining w.'».W . l " 0t COnsUlel ' lhat it would take two years to fix everv'liing up, but it was, he considered a reasonable time. They were S(ifto W LA hat U ' C , capital shouhl £l,000 000, so as to cover the cost of works both nt New Plymouth and rarapara. At present anyone asking for sand could get it, and when only small quantities were asked lor no charge was made.

The Chairman stated there was a feeling that the Board should reserve to itself the right' to part with sand lor ballast and experimental purposes.

Mr Berry then retired and the application was then discussed Mr Maxwell moved tihal a further extension of two years from January 7i,Me. St , be S'-autod on condition that the lessees consent in writing to allow th'e Board to remove sand- during such extension for balla-st on experunenltal purposes. Mr Hine seconded ,tho motion, which was carried.

Mr llerry was then informed of the contents of the resolution a,riins , t IUOS r On ? f UWnfi P r °cecdin g s J" ,K a U "" for breach of contract was discussed in committee. On resuming the Chairman's action it J"tT as advised firmed? D ° Urd " So ' idt,,rS »»» «>■*- —A Wis'e PrecauUowj—t^ert 'the Board rose.